The question of how humanity will address the negative effects of human-caused climate change and global warming is daunting. However, the challenge of climate change could also be an opportunity to reshape our society into a more equitable, humane and environmentally conscious one.
Maybe you want to become an environmental activist and don't know where to start. Or, you're curious about the science behind solutions to climate change. Regardless of your intent, this list of books will give you a better understanding of climate change, its effects on us and the environment, and how we can combat it.
However, for those who want to dig deeper into the subject, nonfiction books may be a better option. That's why we have put together a list of some of the best books on climate change, both fiction and nonfiction.
Telling stories about climate change is critical to addressing this topic, so remember once you've read any of these books, pass it on to a friend or family member so they can read it too!
Here are 10 books about climate change with details:
The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming
This book provides a compelling and sobering account of what the future could hold if we fail to address climate change. Order Here
It explores the potential consequences of climate change on the planet and human civilization, including rising sea levels, mass migrations, and more extreme weather events.
Wallace-Wells argues that the impact of global warming is far worse than we have been led to believe, and he paints a vivid and alarming picture of the potential consequences of inaction.
The book is divided into chapters that focus on different aspects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, famine, and mass migration. Each chapter is filled with compelling evidence and statistics that demonstrate the severity of the situation.
The book is not only a warning of the potential future consequences of climate change, but also a call to action for people, governments, and corporations to take immediate action to address the crisis. Despite its bleak outlook, Uninhabitable Earth is an important and thought-provoking book that highlights the urgent need to act to mitigate the effects of climate change before it is too late.
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
In this book, Naomi Klein argues that climate change is an issue that cannot be solved within the framework of capitalism.
In the book, Klein argues that the root cause of climate change is the economic system of capitalism, which prioritizes profit over the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. Order Here
Klein argues that a fundamental change in our economic system is necessary to combat climate change. He explores alternative economic models, such as cooperatives and community systems, that prioritize environmental sustainability and social justice.
The book is based on extensive research and interviews with activists, scientists, and economists from around the world. It not only provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind climate change, but also highlights the social and economic implications of inaction.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
This book explores how human activities are causing the sixth mass extinction of species on Earth. Order Here
Elizabeth Kolbert provides a sobering account of the impact of climate change and other human-driven environmental changes on the planet's biodiversity.
Kolbert argues that we are currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event in the history of the Earth, and this time, it is caused by human actions such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
Kolbert travels around the world to meet with scientists and researchers who are studying the extinction crisis and the impact of human activity on the natural world. Elizabeth presents evidence that suggests that we are on the brink of a catastrophic loss of biodiversity that will have far-reaching implications for the planet and its inhabitants.
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming
This book provides a detailed plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reversing global warming.
It features contributions from experts in various fields, who outline concrete solutions for reducing emissions and restoring ecosystems. Order Here
The book presents 100 solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reversing the trend of global warming. These solutions are ranked based on their potential impact, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility. The book includes a wide range of solutions, from renewable energy and energy efficiency to sustainable agriculture and land use.
Each solution is presented in detail, with data and analysis supporting its effectiveness. The book also includes case studies and examples of successful implementation of these solutions in different parts of the world.
The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the World
This book examines the potential impacts of rising sea levels on coastal cities around the world. Jeff Goodell provides a vivid and unsettling picture of what the future could hold if we fail to address climate change. Order Here
Catastrophic consequences for coastal cities and communities, and we must take urgent action to mitigate the effects.
The book is based on extensive research and interviews with scientists, policymakers, and residents of coastal communities. Goodell presents evidence suggesting that sea level rise will cause flooding, displacement, and economic disruption on a global scale.
The book also explores the political and economic factors that contribute to our inaction on climate change and rising sea levels. Goodell argues that we need to take a more proactive approach to the problem, including investing in infrastructure, rethinking our coastal development policies, and preparing for the inevitable consequences of sea level rise.
Overall, The Water Will Come is an urgent and thought-provoking book that highlights the need for immediate action to address the threat of sea level rise. It is a must read for anyone interested in climate change and its impact on our planet and our communities.
Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future
The book highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, particularly in developing countries.
Mary Robinson argues that we need to approach climate change as a human rights issue and that we must ensure that the burden of addressing climate change is not unfairly placed on vulnerable communities. Order here
The book presents stories and perspectives from people around the world who are working to address climate change and promote social justice.
Robinson also provides practical guidance for individuals and organizations seeking to take action on climate change and promote climate justice.
Overall, Climate Justice is a powerful and inspiring book that highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to addressing the climate crisis. It is a must-read for anyone interested in climate change, social justice, and the fight for a sustainable future.
The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us
This book examines the role of climate change denial in hindering efforts to address the issue. Michael E. Mann and Tom Toles provide a scathing critique of the tactics used by climate change deniers and argue that we must confront this denial head-on if we are to make progress. Order here
Mann, a climate scientist, and Toles, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, argue that climate change denial is a dangerous and irrational phenomenon that threatens our planet and our politics. The book provides a historical overview of climate change denial, tracing its roots to efforts by the tobacco industry to deny the health risks of smoking.
The book also examines the political and social factors that contribute to climate change denial, including the influence of special interests, the media, and conservative ideology. Mann and Toles argue that climate change denial is a threat to our democracy, as it undermines public trust in science and institutions.
Overall, The Madhouse Effect is an entertaining and thought-provoking book that highlights the urgent need for action on climate change and the dangers of climate change denial. It is a must-read for anyone interested in climate change, politics, and the future of our planet.
The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
This book provides a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and build a sustainable future. The book provides a vision for a sustainable future, including a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and build a more equitable and resilient society.
The authors also explore the political and social factors that contribute to our inaction on climate change and provide practical guidance for individuals and organizations seeking to take action. Order here
The book is based on the authors' experiences leading the Paris Agreement negotiations and their work with businesses, governments, and civil society organizations around the world.
The authors deliver an inspiring and hopeful message, highlighting the potential for collective action to address the climate crisis.
Overall, The Future We Choose is a must-read for anyone interested in climate change and the future of our planet.
It provides a roadmap for a sustainable and just future, and inspires readers to take action to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Climate Leviathan: A Political Theory of Our Planetary Future
This book examines how climate change will reshape global politics. Joel Wainwright and Geoff Mann argue that climate change will lead to the emergence of new forms of political power, and that we must rethink our political systems if we are to address the crisis effectively. Order here
The book argues that the climate crisis represents an existential threat to humanity and that traditional forms of government are inadequate to address the scale of the problem. The authors propose a new governance model called "Climate Leviathan", which implies a global alliance between the state and capital to deal with the crisis.
The authors argue that the climate Leviathan is necessary and dangerous, as it has the potential to create a more authoritarian and unequal world order. They explore the political and economic forces that are driving the rise of Climate Leviathan and provide a critical analysis of the risks and benefits of this governance model.
The book draws on a wide range of sources, including political theory, history, and climate science, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implications of the climate crisis for global governance. The authors provide a provocative and thought-provoking plot that challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about the relationship between politics, economics, and the environment.
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
This book explores why climate change has been difficult for humans to comprehend and respond to, and how we can overcome these barriers. Order Here
The book examines the historical and cultural factors that have led to this upheaval, including the legacy of colonialism and the rise of industrial capitalism. Ghosh also explores the role of literature and storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world, and argues that the cultural imagination must be reinvigorated if we are to confront the climate crisis.
The book is divided into three parts: the first examines the historical and cultural roots of the disorder, the second explores the implications of the crisis for literature and storytelling, and the third looks at the political and ethical challenges posed by the crisis.
Overall, The Great Derangement is an insightful and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about the climate crisis and its cultural and literary dimensions. It provides a fresh perspective on the crisis and makes a compelling argument for the need to address it in more meaningful ways.