In Chapter 1, at 1o, we have predictions of, for example, an annually ice free Arctic ocean. Yes, quite plausible and supported by the literature, and perhaps occurring a little sooner than expected. At 2o, we have, "so whilst southern China can expect more flooding as the two-degree line is approached, the oceanic time lag means that it may take much longer for the rain-bearing summer monsoon to reach the drought-stricken north." Yes, certainly plausible based on the studies Lynas cites. At 4o, we have "with global sea levels half a meter or more above current levels, [the Egyptian city of] Alexandria's long lifespan will be drawing to a close. Even in today's climate, a substantial part of the city lies below sea level, and by the latter part of this century a terminal inundation will have begun. … a rise in sea levels of 50 cm would displace 1.5 million people and cause $35 billion of damage." Alarmist? Hardly. A 50 cm rise in sea level, is well within the conservative IPCC projections, even for temperature rises less than four degrees.
At 5o and 6o, the book really does start to sound alarmist, with the analogy to Dante's Inferno – used to good literary effect throughout the book – coming very much to the fore. At five degrees, we have "an entirely new planet is coming into being – one largely unrecognizable from the Earth we know today. At six degrees, "… the pump is primed … not for flourishing palm trees in Alaska, but for the worst of all earthly outcomes: mass extinction."