SHINE Shelf - Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

Big Picture:
Many of us operate under the assumption that we live in a scarce world, where everything from healthcare to clean energy is impossible to make available to all people in an efficient manner. This is a myth that we have been upholding since the end of westward expansion first threatened the United States’ growth capacity so many years ago. Since then, a multitude of obstacles have attempted and succeeded in stifling American progress towards a state of abundance, “the state in which there is enough of what we need to create lives better than what we have had” (p.20). These barriers have included mass preferences for degrowth over growth, regulations that make building time-consuming and expensive, and institutions that make passing laws difficult or even impossible. There are a few important things we can do in order to defeat these challenges: (1) replace our rules- and regulations-centered form of governing with a outcomes-based system, (2) reform our current method of funding science and innovation in a way that incentivizes new discoveries over redundant papers, and (3) put these new discoveries to good use by quickly and effectively deploying resources that make further progress possible.
Key Takeaways:
We need to collectively reshape the way we think about abundance in order to achieve it. We have settled with the bleak assumption that we are absolutely limited in most of the things we need (p.4-5). Many liberals—who often concern themselves with ideas of abundant societies—have focused too much on issues of demand rather than supply (subsidies, vouchers, etc.) (p.5-11). In reality, abundance is a supply issue that we have failed to solve yet.
A society that wishes to achieve abundance is a society that must grow. Our American mindsets and institutions have limited our abilities to grow over time. Many Americans contribute to the growth problem by supporting zoning laws that prevent things such as the building of multi-family homes in their neighborhoods (p.46). Ever-changing building codes often stop building in its tracks until the new codes are interpreted by the public (p.48-54). We must collaborate with one another and maintain our open-mindedness in order to achieve new growth again.
The United States needs to learn how to build again. It is much more expensive and time-consuming to build in the U.S. compared to our peer countries. This has mostly been caused by the regulations builders must follow and the politics surrounding large-scale projects, such as the attempt at high-speed rail in California (p.76-81).  We also need to stop viewing environmental policy as an enemy of a free economy (p.64). It is now cheap to buy solar energy and other clean energy sources, so it makes economic as well as environmental sense to switch to clean energy.
We need to fundamentally alter the way the U.S. is governed in order to achieve abundance. The processes of government have been gummed up by rules and regulations that are important in their own right but make it difficult to pass necessary legislation. Additionally, many disagree with the size of government, either that it is too big or too small (p.117). This is not what we should be focusing on. Instead, we need our government to be outcomes-oriented rather than caught up in debate about government processes (p.128).
If we hope to achieve abundance, we must get better at innovating and support the scientists who are pursuing these innovations. There are many problems we face today that can not and will not be solved without innovation (p.134). Climate change is one of these issues. We need to make advancements in clean energy, decarbonization, desalination, and green cement before they can be widely used (p.134). Unfortunately, we have seen an overall decline in revolutionary scientific discoveries that will help us solve climate change and other societal problems (p.142). We must do better at funding young scientists with “risky ideas” who are more likely to make these new discoveries (p.147).
After we have a “eureka moment,” we need to deploy sufficient resources to put these new discoveries to good use. The United States has done this successfully in the recent past. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that we were in critical and immediate need of a vaccine. Operation Warp Speed (OWS) was the solution to this problem. It provided funding and support that enabled the private sector to research, develop, get approval for, and distribute mRNA vaccines free to consumers—all done within 10 months’ time (p.184-187). This case shows that the government has the ability to focus an entire society’s attention on an issue and to provide immense support in finding a solution in a short period of time. This can be applied to issues such as climate change if and when the government eventually deems it a crisis that needs immediate solving.

Big Picture:

All We Can Save by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson is a wondrous collection of 60 female authors’ essays and poems discussing why and how women have such power in the climate movement. It phrases this power as a coming revolution - a light which has not previously had the chance to shine for a myriad of reasons. Many of these women talk about why they have not had the opportunity to discuss these things before, as well as why it matters that their voices are heard now in such a powerful way. Their advocacy goes beyond a fight for themselves and extends into a fight for a world that can only be saved by their ideas and methods. Johnson and Wilkinson declare that a rise in feminine and feminist climate leadership is happening, and that is what gives the movement the most power now. The book is separated into 9 sections: root, advocate, reframe, reshape, persist, feel, nourish, and rise. All of these sections provide a broad lens through which each individual author attributes their experiences to women' s strength in the climate movement. 

Key Insights:

Change & Changing Change

The first insightful element I saw was that we cannot change the world without changing how we change it. Janine Benyus declares this early on by saying that some of our changes will require us to “step into the flow of the carbon cycle in new ways… and encouraging the winded ecosystems of the planet to take a good long inhale as they heal.” Changing and developing our understanding of the world, just as we had learned that organisms work together as opposed to constantly competing, helps us to either save what we can or embrace it while we watch it fade. 

When we change how we change, everyone wins. There has been a long-time belief that the climate movement is something we cannot win - renewable energy is too expensive, the world is broken anyway, or the reason even to try is long past. However, when we stop paying attention to the white privilege and wealthy white men’s dreams who drive and enable this fate, we can see that the true path is clearer than we think. Though every author may have a different path to success in the climate change movement that they think prevails, the message throughout holds resoundingly true - we cannot change the world without changing how we think.

Being a Woman, a Mother, a Person

Living in the world nowadays means fighting - fighting for your future and your beliefs in a way that matters. There is power in the drive to keep pushing for what matters most to you. Being a mother means fighting for another person’s future as well as your own. You are fighting for the right to be you, and for your child’s future, all at the same time. Some of the key insights I saw came from mothers who discussed the true power behind motherhood in fighting for the climate. Amy Westervelt discusses this, stating that another level of resilience has to rise to be fighting for your child and for the climate, and the power of mothers to handle and process climate grief and associated emotions cannot be denied. Leaving people out of the climate discussion, firstly for being a woman and secondly for being a mother or coming from a minority, is the one way that assures a downward spiral of progress. Bringing women from groups that have previously been silenced can show us another way forward, and help us understand the world differently.

Minorities are often discriminated against by the entire climate change movement, despite being some of the most openly affected individuals. Black and Latinx women are almost entirely ignored in favor of talking to wealthy white men. Some Black communities, such as Detroit’s 48217 community, have been completely ignored in their wishes for clean air and water because wealthy businessmen simply don’t care to help them. To win these fights, Amy Westervelt again claims that a lot of the communities have “community mothers” that serve to, “lead the charge to clean up the water, get transit working, hold police accountable, and protect and care for their neighbors.” (250) We need to acknowledge that women have the power to unify and lead, then we can move past the era of climate related natural disasters and move forward towards prosperity fueled by the voices of women.

Big Picture:

Climate change (and the systems that drive it - energy, materials, foods) is a massive, but solvable problem. However, you’d never know that from the stories in newspapers, documentaries, podcasts, and commentaries, which all plant seeds of doubt about our ability to make progress. This broad (not deep) book pushes back on doubt with data-based explanations, despite “Brandolini’s Law” (aka the bullshit asymmetry principle), which states: the amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude larger than to produce it (Brandolini, 2013). The big picture is that we need all solutions at all scales, and they don’t need to be perfect. “Problems are inevitable. Problems are solvable. [And, yes…] Solutions create more problems, which will be solved in their own turn. (p. 7). And we need both - systems change and individual change - it’s not one or the other. The conclusion has five tips for sorting fact from fiction; ask yourself: what are the numbers? Is that a big number? Compared to what? How old is the data? How could things change in the future?

Key Insights:

It’s not too late; there’s no point at which it’s too late to limit warming and reduce damage from climate change (p. 13). Not everyone cares about climate change, but the majority of people in every country do (p. 19). We’re much less polarized than we think, and support for clean energy is strong on both sides of the political spectrum (p. 22). The world’s “small emitters” make up ⅓ of the world’s emissions, enough to collectively and significantly make a difference (p. 25). China is currently the largest emitter (the US is the largest emitter over time), but China is rolling out renewables and electric vehicles faster than any other country (p. 29). Poor countries might need some fossil fuels to develop (and that’s okay), but cheap, clean energy will help them leapfrog old technologies (p. 35). Some industrial carbon capture and storage will be needed, but we’ll still have to burn much less fossil fuel in the first place (p. 40). Historical energy transitions were slow, but clean energy is growing faster than any energy source in history (p. 44). The energy transition is already happening in many countries, and the world is on the brink of a global transition (p. 48). 

Most energy that comes from fossil fuels is wasted (e.g., 66% of coal is wasted; 50% of gas is wasted); by moving to clean energy, we’ll need to produce far less (p. 53). Solar panels and wind turbines generate far more energy than is used to build them, and pay back fast (p. 57). AI will increase electricity demand, but most of this can be met with clean energy if we’re smart about it (p. 60). Jobs in fossil fuels will decline, but clean energy is creating even more of them (p. 66). Solar and wind are responsible for some carbon emissions during manufacturing, but far less than fossil fuels (p. 74). Solar and wind don’t produce electricity all of the time, but we have options to store energy (p. 76). The costs of solar and wind have plummeted and are now cheaper than fossil fuels (p. 80). Solar and wind generate far less waste than other energy sources and much less than other waste like plastics or electronics (p. 86). We might need to use a bit more land for energy than we do today, but it will still only be a small percentage of total land (p. 91). Connecting to the grid is one of the biggest barriers to rolling out renewables, but there are things we can do to speed things up (p. 96). Wind turbines do kill some birds and bats, but just a fraction of the numbers killed by power lines, pesticides, automobiles, buildings, and cats (p. 100). 

Nuclear power is not risk-free, but it is one of the safest energy sources we have (p. 107). Nuclear plants in the West often have long delays, but some countries can build plants in 6-8 years (p. 112). Nuclear power is expensive, but some countries have figured out how to build it cheaper (p. 116). We know how to store radioactive waste safely, but we need to prove it (p. 120). 

Manufacturing an electric car does produce more carbon than a gas one, but it quickly pays off once you start driving it (p. 127). Electric cars eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce pollution, even if they’re slightly heavier and have more tire wear (p. 131). Electric cars are much cheaper to run, and will soon be cheaper to buy upfront (p. 135). Most electric cars get over 200 miles, and many models can go 400 miles or more per charge (p. 139). With smart charging and vehicle-to-grid systems, electric cars can be an asset rather than a liability to the grid (p. 146). Electric cars do lose around 10-20% of range in cold weather, but they are still thriving in some of the world’s coldest climates (p. 150). Electric cars catch fire less often than gas cars (p. 153). We already have enough minerals for electric cars, and we keep finding more (p. 159). Shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy will reduce demand for mining, not increase it (p. 162). Minerals for many industries (including fossil fuels) are mined under unsafe conditions, but clean energy can be an industry that changes things (p. 168). Unequal distribution of critical minerals puts the energy transition at risk, but not energy security; every country has free sunshine and wind (p. 172). Clean energy tends to use less water than fossil fuels, but we need to make sure that the transition doesn’t exacerbate local water stress (p. 177). 

Heat pumps are less efficient in cold temperatures, but do work; in fact, they’re the most popular in some of the coldest climates (p. 183). The running costs of heat pumps are often lower than those of gas boilers, but upfront costs are really high (p. 186). More people will need to get air conditioning, and with efficient A/C units, we can keep energy use in check (p. 190). 

If the world went plant-based, we'd need less cropland because we’d free up land currently used to produce animal feed (p. 197). Meat substitutes do use energy for processing, but they still have a lower carbon footprint than meat (p. 200). Meat substitutes are too expensive, but they is an opportunity to change this (p. 204). Meat substitutes can be just as nutritious as meat, and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet despite being ultra-processed (p. 207). 

We now have several solutions to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions produced by cement (p. 215). We know how to produce green steel; we now need to build it at scale (p. 220). Flying and shipping can both go low-carbon, but getting the costs down will be the main challenge (p. 224). 

We need to cut out most of our emissions completely, but there might be 10-15% that we’ll need carbon removal to help with (p. 232). Carbon removal technologies are expensive today, but if we can get their costs down, it might be the most cost-effective way to tackle emissions in some sectors (p. 234). Solar geoengineering is risky, but we need to research it to know how risky, as well as the benefits (p. 237).

Big Picture:

Climate Uncertainty and Risk: Rethinking Our Response explores how society understands and reacts to climate change. Throughout this text, climate scientist Judith Curry supports the argument that climate change is not only a relevant and increasingly significant issue, but has been oversimplified politically and scientifically in its framing, despite its status as a complex problem. Rather than presenting climate change strictly as an urgent global emergency that can only be solved through rapid emissions reductions, Curry suggests that the issue should be approached through the lens of uncertainty, risk management, and resilience (p. 10).

This book is divided into several main sections that examine climate science, public debate, and policy responses. Curry explains that climate change is often framed as a single global crisis with a clear solution: reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, she argues that the climate system and the policy responses are much more complex (p. 12). The book emphasizes that climate change should be treated as the ultimate “wicked problem”, meaning a challenge that involves uncertainty, competing priorities, and no simple solution (p. 18). Curry believes that addressing this complexity can encourage policymakers to make more balanced and realistic decisions.

Overall, the book encourages readers to think critically and more in-depth about the climate crisis. Rather than focusing solely on stopping emissions, Curry suggests that societies should also focus on preparing for climate impacts, improving green infrastructure, and strengthening resilience to increasing environmental risks (p. 31).

Key Insights:

Climate change is a complex risk management challenge, influenced by interactions between oceans, atmosphere, land, and human activities (p. 14, 44, 49). While scientific understanding is strong in many areas, significant uncertainty remains about the magnitude and timing of future changes, making precise long-term predictions difficult. Natural climate variability, such as ocean cycles and atmospheric patterns, plays a significant role in regional climate trends, complicating predictions about specific impacts (p. 57-60). Climate models are useful tools, but projections can differ due to varying assumptions and data inputs (p. 73, 78). Natural climate variability, such as ocean cycles and atmospheric patterns, also complicates predictions of regional impacts (p. 60. Curry emphasizes that policymakers must consider these uncertainties when using models to guide decisions (p. 81.)

Politics also shape public perceptions of climate change (p. 92). Framing climate change as an imminent catastrophe can generate urgency but may also increase skepticism and polarization, complicating efforts to build broad support for climate policies (p. 97). Curry emphasizes the importance of adaptation and resilience, recommending investments in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and technologies that help communities respond to climate risks. (p. 122). She also notes that energy transitions are historically slow and complex, while renewable sources are growing, completely replacing fossil fuels will take time and must account for economic and technological constraints (p. 135, 142). Policies pushing overly rapid transitions may face practical challenges.

Finally, Curry encourages decision makers to adopt a risk-based approach that considers multiple possible future scenarios rather than relying on a single prediction of climate outcomes (p. 156). This type of approach can help societies remain flexible and better prepared for unexpected developments.

The book encouraged me to think critically about how scientific issues are communicated, making me more aware of the influence of media, political debates, and advocacy on public understanding of climate change. (p. 92). This made me far more aware of how media coverage, political debates, and advocacy campaigns shape public understanding of climate change.

A challenging part of the book was the discussion of climate models and statistical uncertainty. Climate modeling involves complicated mathematical systems that attempt to simulate Earth’s climate over long periods of time (p. 73). While Curry explains these ideas fairly clearly, some of the details can still be difficult to fully understand without a strong scientific background.

This book has absolutely enhanced my understanding of the debate on climate change. While solutions such as reducing carbon emissions and switching to renewable energy are extremely important, Curry’s discussion of uncertainty and risk made me realize that climate policy is far more complicated than I originally thought. The book helped me understand that climate change involves not only science but also economics, politics, human behavior, and more. Curry argues that decisions about climate policy often require balancing competing priorities, including environmental protection, economic development, and energy access (p. 168). Recognizing these trade-offs made me think more carefully about how governments make decisions about environmental issues.

Overall, this book was convincing because Curry does a successful job in supporting her arguments with robust scientific research and detailed explanations of policy debates. She does not deny that climate change exists or that human activities contribute to warming, which helps establish credibility (p. 205). The emphasis on risk management, resilience, and flexible policymaking will likely remain important as societies continue to adapt to climate impacts. Ten years from now, policymakers and scientists will probably continue to debate the same questions about how to balance emissions reductions, economic development, and climate adaptation strategies. Even as climate science continues to improve, uncertainty will likely remain a central challenge when predicting long-term climate changes (p. 221).

Big Picture: 

Olivia Gippner, a policy officer at the European Commission, describes the book’s research question as “What is the influence of other international actors on Chinese climate policy? How do external representatives interact with the Chinese policy-making system?” (p. 2). It reads more like a research study than a traditional book, and primarily focuses on “the question of when and how early climate policies were adopted in China during the fourth leadership era (2002-2012)” (p. 1). The author makes use of both analysis of Chinese government policies as well as interviews with members of the Chinese bureaucracy in an attempt to answer the question of how China rapidly transitioned from the largest polluter worldwide to the global leader in sustainable energy development. The book examines the elements of climate policy adoption within the Chinese government through the concepts of Empowerment and Rules of the Game (p. 3). This involves both the hard power of individual bureaucratic agencies as well as soft power factors such as turf and guanxi (p. 32). 

Key Insights: 

Empowerment and Turf

Empowerment is the first condition that affects the implementation of climate policies within the Chinese bureaucratic context. It states that a foreign climate change policy is more likely to be adopted if it contributes to the national climate interest according to the dominant domestic 2 bureaucratic agency, enhances the organization’s essence of the dominant domestic bureaucratic agency, and enlarges control and influence, and opens new turf for the dominant domestic bureaucratic agency (p. 3). This fundamentally relates to the concept of Turf Allocation, with turf essentially describing the aspects of the Chinese policy-making structure that are controlled by certain bureaucratic factions (p. 176). 

Rules of the Game and Guanxi

The Rules of the Game describe the second condition by which foreign climate policies are adopted within the Chinese bureaucracy. The so-called game being described is the complex web of interpersonal relationships between influential members of the Chinese ruling class, with Gippner explaining that “An externally-inspired climate policy is more likely to be adopted if the process obeys the rules of the game and involves elite decision-makers to develop long-term personal relationships (guanxi) with outside proponents.” (p. 3) Guanxi, which can be directly translated as “relations,” is another key element of Chinese bureaucratic politics, and describes the Chinese concept of social capital (p. 37). Guanxi is given “special dedication” in the book due to it being considered instrumental in defining the Rules of the Game (p. 37). The book cites an interview-based study (Jakobson and Knox 2010) in which 70 out of 71 interviewees emphasized the importance of this informal type of influence on the decision-making processes of the government and party (pp. 37-38). 

Case Studies, the NDRC, and the Pattern of Policy Adoption

The book makes use of three case studies in order to support its claims, including the 2°C temperature target, emissions trading, and carbon capture and storage (p. 20). Each of these policies originated within the European Union, and was gradually adopted by China via the processes described above. These case studies involve over fifty-five interviews carried out 3 around the world in order to examine how Chinese and European state actors interact with one another regarding climate policy adoption (p. 20). This analysis ultimately led Gippner to conclude that Chinese adoption of international climate policies is in large part dependent upon the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) (p. 150). The NDRC is broadly in charge of overseeing China’s economic development, and was the primary decision maker regarding climate policy in the Chinese government until 2018, exerting even more influence than the Ministry of Environment (p. 7). The Chinese pattern of climate policy adoption, therefore, is deeply connected to this department, with the steps of policy adoption being as follows: First, certain interactions between external and Chinese counterparts take place, and then various bureaucratic actors position themselves as being for or against a certain policy concept. One actor or an alliance of actors emerges triumphant, and finally, the new climate policy is either adopted or not (p. 3). These steps are also described as External-China Interaction, Bureaucratic Politics, and Turf Allocation (p. 23). 

Big Picture

“The climate crisis is a crisis in leadership” is the opening sentence of the preface in Diversifying Power: Why We Need Antiracist, Feminist Leadership on Climate and Energy by Jennie C. Stephens (2020). Stephens argues that diverse, minority-led initiatives are essential for addressing the climate crisis. This includes women as well as men and women of color from many cultural backgrounds. According to Stephens, current climate initiatives have not adequately represented diverse communities (p. 13). The book discusses American politics and welfare systems as interconnected elements of the climate crisis and explains how policy changes can elevate the voices of those most affected by climate change.

Key Insights

Resisting the Polluter Elite

Stephens emphasizes that diverse leadership is essential for resisting the concentration of wealth and redirecting funding toward climate initiatives (Stephens, 2020, p. 18). She discusses the “polluter elite,” a term coined by Dario Kenner, referring to wealthy shareholders in fossil fuel companies and other polluting industries who use political influence to promote continued fossil fuel dependence (Stephens, 2020, pp. 23–24). Between 2015 and 2016, oil, gas, and coal companies spent $354 million on lobbying while receiving $29.4 billion in federal subsidies (Stephens, 2020, p. 31). 

Some technological solutions to climate change have been promoted by these elites. However, Stephens argues that antiracist leaders focused on social justice often reject these approaches because they reinforce existing power structures and fail to address root causes (p. 33). In response to misinformation campaigns targeting voters, activists and organizations have mobilized resistance. One example is UnKoch My Campus, a nonprofit movement led largely by young people to resist corporate influence on universities (Stephens, 2020, pp. 38–39). Other leaders, such as Jacqueline Patterson of the NAACP, have highlighted how fossil fuel interests disproportionately target communities of color (Stephens, 2020, p. 40). These examples illustrate how diverse voices are challenging the influence of polluting industries. 

Jobs and Economic Justice

Stephens argues that investing in jobs, education, and workforce training in the transition to renewable energy can promote a sustainable and equitable future (Stephens, 2020, p. 19). She suggests that recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to reorganize society around economic justice (p. 47).

Several organizations link job creation with climate action. For example, the Sunrise Movement describes itself as “a youth movement to stop climate change and create millions of jobs in the process,” advocating for policies such as the Green New Deal to reduce fossil fuel dependence while promoting economic opportunity (Stephens, 2020, p. 48). 

Stephens also highlights local successes. Burlington became the first U.S. city to achieve 100% renewable energy and created 85 local jobs in the Burlington Electric Department during the process (Stephens, 2020, p. 59). Organizations such as GRID Alternatives and All In Energy also focus on job creation and training for marginalized communities (Stephens, 2020, p. 60). The Green New Deal’s proposed job guarantee would similarly combine climate action with employment opportunities for all (p. 64). Stephens argues that the transition to a low-carbon future could either deepen economic inequality or distribute opportunity more broadly, depending on whether leadership prioritizes antiracist and feminist perspectives (p. 69). 

Health, Well-Being, and Nutritious Food for All

Stephens connects climate policy with public health investments, emphasizing that unequal access to nutrition, health care, and mental health services is closely linked to environmental conditions (Stephens, 2020, p. 19). More than 1,300 local governments in 25 countries have declared climate emergencies as public health emergencies due to the impacts of extreme heat, declining air quality, severe weather events, infectious disease exposure, mental health effects, and displacement (p. 71).

Food systems also intersect with climate change. Stephens notes that adopting plant-based diets is one of the most significant lifestyle changes individuals can make to reduce emissions. However, minority and low-income communities often lack access to fresh and healthy foods, which undermines both health and environmental sustainability (p. 86). Organizations such as Family Agricultural Resource Management Services support small farms in growing food sustainably and strengthening local food systems (Stephens, 2020, pp. 89–90).

Clean Transportation for All

Stephens argues that advocacy for equitable transportation access is increasingly connected to the transition away from fossil fuel–dependent transportation systems (Stephens, 2020, p. 20). In the United States, transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 29% of total emissions (p. 94).

Limited access to transportation has become a social justice issue. Expanding public transportation can both reduce emissions and decrease racial and socioeconomic inequalities (Stephens, 2020, p. 95). However, cultural preferences for car dependency and corporate political influence make large-scale investments in public and green transportation difficult (p. 99). Stephens argues that diverse leadership is necessary to shift priorities toward transportation systems that combine environmental sustainability with equitable access (p. 109).

Housing for All

Housing policy is another area where climate and social justice intersect (Stephens, 2020, p. 20). Minority groups—including people of color, women, and children—are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity (p. 112). Climate-related disasters often worsen this instability, creating populations sometimes referred to as climate refugees.

 Buildings account for approximately 40% of energy use in the United States (Stephens, 2020, p. 114). Organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council promote sustainable housing initiatives, including programs aimed at low-income communities (p. 116). However, Stephens warns about “climate gentrification,” where wealthier residents relocate to areas less vulnerable to climate impacts, displacing lower-income populations into more vulnerable regions—especially in coastal cities threatened by sea-level rise (p. 123).

The housing industry has often resisted policies aimed at improving energy efficiency and climate resilience (p. 124). Grassroots organizations, including Moms 4 Housing and City Life/Vida Urbana, advocate for housing as a human right and push for more equitable policies (Stephens, 2020, pp. 118–121). Stephens concludes that greater public investment is necessary to ensure safe, energy-efficient housing for all (p. 127).

Big Picture:

Often, we see climate change presented as an inevitably apocalyptic, unsolvable problem. Drawdown tears that narrative apart by focusing on climate solutions that already exist, rather than waiting for the future or giving up out of hopelessness. The book compiles research from various scientists (and other experts) to show that “Drawdown” (the future point in time when concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop increasing and start to decline steadily, reversing global warming [p. xiii]) is far more achievable than we think. The book asserts that we cannot solve climate change with a single solution; instead, we must implement a range of solutions, from energy to social change. Additionally, these solutions must be put into practice not only on a large, systemic scale, but on a smaller, individual, everyday scale. Drawdown is closer than we think, but we must come together as a global community to tackle climate change effectively.

Key Takeaways:

The book argues that meaningful climate solutions come from diverse sectors, not just energy, as some have been conditioned to believe. This is not to discount the importance of wind and solar energy, but to emphasize the value of other, smaller-scale solutions, such as food systems and land use. For example, “Reduced Food Waste” and “Plant Rich Diet” are among the top 5 solutions ranked in Drawdown, ranking third and fourth, respectively (p. 42, 38). This refutes the commonly held belief that only large industries and/or governments can make any meaningful difference, showing us exactly how we, as laypeople, can make just as much of an impact.

Another interesting insight from Drawdown is the somewhat unsurprising yet interesting overlap between social solutions and environmental solutions. As climate solutions, the issues of “Educating Girls” and “Expanding Access to Family Planning” rank sixth and seventh, respectively (p. 80, 78). The aforementioned solutions will help slow population growth and improve quality of life, in turn, reducing pressure on natural resources. This aspect of the book displays how and why climate solutions and social solutions intersect.

To expand on this insight, Drawdown not only presents climate solutions as purely climate solutions but also emphasizes the additional impacts that they can have. For example, clean energy not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also improves public health through improved air quality. Additionally, regenerative agriculture restores soil and supports biodiversity (p. 54). The book uses this to reinforce the idea that addressing climate change can improve other areas of society, rather than compromising our quality of life in the name of climate change, which is a common misconception.

The ideas in Drawdown connect directly to my project (walkable cities in the USA); specifically the “Buildings and Cities” section. For example, there is a large emphasis on decreasing reliance on cars by creating walkable communities with safe, separate bike lanes, wide sidewalks, and accessible public transportation (p. 86-89).

The idea of walkable cities being a top climate solution is in line with the rest of the book; namely its assertion that both governments/industries and individuals need to make sustainable choices. However, in order to make sustainable choices, individuals need environments that make these choices practical, which is where walkable cities come in. See, in a normal American city, biking and walking from place to place is a possibility or an option, but in a walkable city, biking and walking are safe, convenient, and practical. As previously stated, Drawdown discusses the co-benefits of climate solutions, which, in this case, include better public health, safer streets, and stronger, more tight-knit communities.

Hans Rosling was a Swedish doctor and a global health expert. He noticed that his class of advanced medical students had severe misconceptions about the world's condition. He went out to find if this was a worldwide misconception or was just localized. He devised 13 questions to test his theory. People around the world, no matter their ethnicity, political standing, or social class, scored lower on the questions than chimpanzees picking answers at random.

After looking at the data, Rosling paired the statistics with his knowledge of humans' primal instincts’ to create 10 instincts that explain why humans react the way they do to difficult information.

• Gap instinct is the human tendency to divide things into two distinct groups while overestimating how wide the gap is between them. We exaggerate the gap between the people of poor and rich countries, thinking that people in the poor countries wouldn’t be able to survive in rich countries. This is a result of old data's influence on the worldview. 
• Negative instinct is our instinct to notice the bad more than the good. The majority of the world thinks the world is getting worse. In reality, people are living better now than they ever have been.
• The straight-line instinct is the belief that all lines are straight and always grow at a similar rate. An example of this is how we believe problems like climate change are getting worse at the same rate every year, but actually, it varies.
• The fear instinct is to process the most dramatic information quickly and easily, usually causing us to overreact.
• The size instinct is the tendency to blow things out of proportion. It happens when people misjudge the importance of a single number or event.
• The generalization instinct is the instinct to group dissimilar things together or assume everyone in a certain group is identical, and to consider our lives to be normal and everyone else's life is not normal.
• The destiny instinct is the idea that things have always been this way and will never change.
• Single perspective instinct is the tendency for humans to prefer simple ideas because they provide a moment of clarity. This instinct is an easy out, so we don’t have to think critically.
• The blame instinct is that when things go wrong, we naturally look for someone to blame. We find a simple, clear reason why something is bad. People like to blame higher-up entities like the government for issues, even though if everyone changed things for themselves, we would see a long-term difference
• The urgency instinct makes us want to take immediate action in the face of a perceived imminent danger.

After explaining the instincts and providing narrative examples for each, showing how each instinct works with the human brain, he offers ways to handle the primal instincts we have. Rosling states that if we keep in mind that all the instincts exist, we can recognize when they are affecting us and stop them from taking over our thinking. If everyone thinks that by using facts and with a clear mind, they can solve many problems before they start in the world.

Big Picture:

Healing Grounds is about regenerative farming practices and improving humanity's relationship with agriculture. In various chapters, there are descriptions of how different cultural practices relate to the health of the soil and the microorganisms that feed on the plants that are grown in the United States. There are four sections in Healing Grounds that all talk about different cultures and their way of farming: Return of the buffalo; black land matters; hidden hotspots of Biodiversity, and Putting Down Roots. 

The point of regenerative farming is to increase the health of the soil long-term. In order to see a difference in both topsoil and the ground below, simply switching away from plows or adding compost is not enough. Not using a plow would increase carbon levels near the surface, but decrease them below. Just adding compost to soil moves organic matter but does not accumulate nutrients for long-term use. The key components in building up long-term carbon storage are the root system. The roots of a plant are important in carbon sequestration, as there are microbes in the soil that will eat the roots and deposit much of the carbon deep into the soil. Carbon from plant roots is five times more likely to be stabilized in soil than aboveground soil. By rotating diverse crops and using cover crops or non-cash crops in the off-seasons, living roots are viable all year round, giving the microbes chances to build up their carbon storage. Growing a diverse species of plants gives the microbes a diverse diet and prevents them from opening up their stored carbon and releasing it back into the atmosphere. 

Key Insights:

The first chapter, titled Return of the Buffalo, talks about indigenous cultures and how they followed the buffalo's migration patterns, amplifying their positive effects on the soil and the plants that grow in it. Buffalo improve the environment through their grazing patterns and by creating habitats for several species of frog and other amphibians when they would roll (When they roll, the insects and extra fur that were on them end up on the ground, and they create depressions in the ground that fill up and become ponds where amphibians breed.) Because of their selective grazing patterns, Buffalo leave trails of increased biodiversity and therefore, an increased area of carbon sinks. Over the millennia, buffalo helped make the prairies into some of the most carbon-rich soil in the world. 

Next is titled, Black Land Matters, and in this section, the topic is forest farming. Forest farming or agroforestry refers to planting crops between rows of trees or, in the case of the mushroom farm mentioned in this chapter, growing the mushrooms on or inside of the logs of trees. Not only do trees store an abundance of carbon in their trunks and roots, but they also shelter other crops grown nearby from harsh weather conditions and attract pollinators and beneficial insects by providing a habitat for them. Other practices mentioned in this section include alley cropping and silvopasture. Alley cropping refers to planting vegetables in between rows of fruit trees. This allows for less maintenance after harsh weather. The trees protect against soil erosion and act as a wind barrier. Silvopasture is a method that puts livestock and agroforestry together. This method allows the trees to protect the smaller plants around them and gives plants the fertilizer directly from the livestock. 

The third section is Hidden Hotspots of Biodiversity, which focuses on the small farms in the Central Valley in California. To answer the question of whether a small but biodiverse farm was capable of making a difference, Guzman sampled soil from all over the valley, monoculture farms, and polyculture farms. The combination of growing corn, which uses up a lot of nitrogen in the soil; beans, which take nitrogen from the air and puts in back into the soil; and squash, which covers the ground with its leaves that have weed suppressant chemicals, minimizing weed growth and soil erosion; all in one area use up the most available resources in the best way. The whole point of this section is to show how a polyculture farm is better than a monoculture farm. Polyculture farms tend to be the ones that are growing food for the families that live on them. As a bonus, when compared to large-scale commercial farms, there are far more non-cash crops. An example of a cash crop that lives on a family farm is an oak tree that will live for many years, growing a vast and complex root system that provides a way for carbon to enter the soil for long-term storage. 

The fourth and final section is titled Putting Down Roots. This section talks about Asian immigrants, their farming practices, and the hardships that they faced when moving to the United States to become farmers. The Hmong, an ethnic group from China, would farm their land for two years, stop farming and allow the vegetation to regrow for two years, and repeat. There is a form of cover cropping called living mulch that the Hmong also practice. Living mulch refers to sprinkling seeds when the rice plants are established; these seeds would grow to be a vibrant strand of Chinese milk vetch after harvest. This cover crop is very rich in nitrogen, so just before it blooms, they would cut and compost it to use later as fertilizer. The vetch was also good for weed suppression. Another Chinese practice has fish being raised in the rice fields. The relationship between fish and rice is mutualistic; the fish poop can be immediately used as fertilizer, and the fish have learned that they can shake the rice plants to get bugs, both feeding the fish and ridding the rice of harmful insects. Many Hmong farms are near almond orchards, which involve a lot of pesticides and, during harvest, kick up a lot of dust. During these times, the implementation of hedgerows, the placement of a plant that quickly grows to over ten feet, and a flowering plant that attracts pollinators, helps shield smaller, more fragile plants from the effects of living near an almond tree farm. 

Bill McKibben is a well-established American environmentalist and author, known for his extensive commentary on the impact of global warming on the world and its inhabitants. His first book was published in 1989, titled The End of Nature, a text that discusses how human activity has irrevocably altered the planet. It posits that the idea of “nature” as an independent entity no longer exists, due to humanity’s control over the atmosphere and weather through global warming and pollution. This bleak outlook was a common theme through his later publications, warning about the permanent destruction of our natural environment. However, in late 2025, McKibben released Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization, which be begins by reflecting on his past work, saying:

 “With 20 books and countless essays and articles published, I have chronicled those early warnings as they came true … And yet, right now, really for the first time, I can see a path forward. A path lit by the sun” (p.1).

In this book, McKibben details the advancements made in solar energy over the past several years and how they have finally put the world in a position to curb the effects of climate change.

In the first section We Could Do This, McKibben details the history of human progress, starting from the creation of fire and cooking, all the way to the Industrial Revolution. He makes note of how important each innovation was to the continued development of society, including the burning of coal and fossil fuels during times of industry. But he also emphasizes how with each new innovation, the time period between it and the next big breakthrough grew smaller and smaller. In this case, he discusses the major advancements in solar energy, and how, in the past 10 years, the technology has gotten substantially cheaper and more efficient, to the point where it outclasses fossil fuels in nearly every category. He acknowledges that in the past two years, the United States has been set back by Donald Trump in terms of renewable energy due to extreme budget cuts and legislation, but he also reminds the reader that the USA is not the only country out there. He talks about the massive innovations China has made in renewable energy, as well as several other countries that have begun utilizing solar power as more than a novelty. Notably, he touches on Southern Australia, where “There are already days when rooftop solar power alone is supplying more than 100 percent of power” (p.66). These breakthroughs and the willingness of many countries to adopt this sort of power are part of why McKibben now believes that the world may be able to staunch the effects of climate change.

However, McKibben is aware that there is pushback to these changes, which he discusses in the second section There’s No Reason Not to Do This. He discusses multiple arguments that people bring up in opposition to the use of sustainable energy sources and presents counterarguments. Some reasoning is based on outdated information, such as solar panels being more expensive than fossil fuels, which has since become entirely untrue. Many others consider them to be a blemish to natural environments. While McKibben concedes that they can stand out, he also provides evidence on their benefit (or insignificance) to certain ecosystems and agricultural zones. He shows that they can help promote biodiversity by being placed in areas that would otherwise be terraformed, as well as provide shade to farm animals and crops under stress. McKibben moves directly on from these points into the final section, Let’s Do This! He urges the reader to lean into the advancements that are being made in the modern world and to help make that final push; to understand that, despite the damage humanity has done, there is a very real path forward.

Here Comes the Sun not only serves to be an inspiration, but also a call to action. While a large portion of the book intends to educate the reader on the advancements that solar power has made in the recent past, it simultaneously ensures that the reader is aware that the battle isn’t over yet. There is irrefutable evidence that the state of renewable energy has improved greatly, both in usage and technology, but there are still very real obstacles. However, what makes this book so inspiring is McKibben himself. He has a reputation as a prolific environmentalist, someone who was among the first to warn about the detrimental effects of climate change. The general public rarely sees good news on the topic, to the point where many assume that the cause is lost. So, as a person so cemented in the fight against global warming, to see them produce a book stating that there may be a very real light at the end of the tunnel is incredibly inspiring. He makes it clear that there is still work to be done, but if the world can keep going on this track, there is a tangible possibility that humanity can still temper the effects of climate change.

Big Picture:

Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About our Changing Planet is a novel by Kate Marvel that tackles the complexities of human interaction with our planet, specifically our inevitable role in climate change. Marvel lays down the solid facts about climate change: things that contribute to it and what effect these things have, yet also weaves in stories both of herself and others to build up a profile of the emotions that relate to climate change. With the utilization of these complex, interwoven facts and stories, the audience is able to feel the emotions Marvel speaks of, and in turn tackle their own feelings about the altered state of our planet.

Key Insights

Many key insights arise within this book. The first and foremost emphasized is that it is okay to have emotions about climate change. Objectivity is encouraged as a scientist, but that doesn’t mean that emotions should be thrown out the window (page xii). If a scientist is allowed to feel emotion about their course of study, so is the rest of society. Feeling emotions empowers humans to take action, and although some emotions, like fear and anger, are less conducive than others, it is still important to acknowledge that they exist. 

Another insight: Earth exists perfectly within a zone for survival. Any closer or further to the sun, and life as we know it wouldn’t be sustained (6). The atmosphere is also key to our existence, as it traps in the warmth that we do need (7). However, we are outputting far too many greenhouse gases into this atmosphere, making it trap much more warmth than it should. Carbon dioxide can remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years: some of the molecules from the very start of the Industrial Revolution are still floating about (21, 65). Scientists have known about this for many years, and it is not an unexplored phenomenon. Similarly, it is not an unexplored phenomenon that people will ignore these facts, whether it be out of fear or in hopes of monetary gain (65). There is nothing in the physics of our planet that limits us to only the worst-case scenario of climate change, and nothing that forces us as humans to accept climate change as the final reality. Although we face pushback from those who do try to deny climate change, we can and must keep fighting for our own, scientifically founded beliefs.

The book also notes that we need to understand that even if we stop climate change immediately, the climate will still continue to change, for a period of time. Even if we take away our inputs to climate change, there will still be CO2 in the atmosphere. The ocean will continue to rise, still holding in excess heat. Sea ice will continue to break up (86). Knowing these things, though, gives us a chance to plan ahead for resilience.

The outtakes from this book that related to my project were about the failings of food. Firstly, we know what crop failure is, and food scarcity. In 540, famine struck and killed people in the Byzantine Empire because of an onset of cold (95). Currently, extreme heat waves kill off large yields of crops by burning or drought (97). Almost 40 percent of dry (ice-free) land on our planet is used for farming, most of this being used for livestock or for their food. Agriculture diminishes soil, biodiversity, and livestock farming emits greenhouse gases. Forests being cut down for it emit more greenhouse gases. Food is exported from faraway places, and this transportation is another source. Switching away from meat-based diets, even if not in totality, would be a massive step towards reducing a large portion of climate change input. With this change, though, we also need to continue to protect lands from development and destruction where it is unnecessary (201). My project looks at food waste. While food waste isn’t directly mentioned in the book, the information provided about the harmful effects of current agricultural practices ties directly into one of the things that is so bad about food waste. So much goes into producing food: when it is wasted, all of the costs of its agricultural production are for nothing.

One last insight ties into my project: there is still hope, for all of these problems listed. The world has worked together before. We worked together to solve the hole in the ozone layer, and it has been allowed to go through a healing process (204). We banned lead gasoline for cars, causing lead poisoning rates to plummet (199). Scientists continue to work for good, and so do non-scientists. People have, can, and will work together for the betterment of our Earth. Food waste is one of these problems that can be analyzed and prevented.

Big Picture:

Climate change is a result of a multitude of factors, including colonization. In this book, Dr. Jennifer Grenz discusses the intersection of Western science and Indigenous knowledge and the importance of integrating both perspectives into collective healing. Grenz, descended from the Nlaka’pamux peoples, explores her personal relationship with her roots and the Earth while completing higher education. She acknowledges that, although traditional schooling is centered around Western ideology, conventional and Westernized beliefs cannot alone repair unprecedented trials. To emphasize this point, Grenz uses the Medicine Wheel framework: North, wisdom of elders, East, letting go of colonial narratives and seeing with fresh eyes, South, applying new worldviews to envision a way forward, and West, realizing relational land reconciliation. In addition to this vision, she uses Borromean rings to explain the three Rs of Indigenous research methodology. This trifecta includes reciprocity, relationality, and respect- markedly different from the cookie-cutter scientific process disseminated from elementary school and on. To heal the planet, Dr. Grenz believes that we must look to Indigenous populations to help us find the equilibrium they once achieved.

Key Insights:

This book is a journey of “personal and ecological reconciliation” (11). Being an Indigenous researcher required Dr. Grenz to reevaluate her relational worldview, and this work explores the relationship between the self and planet. To her, these two are inextricably linked and cannot be categorized as separate entities. According to the author, the way we approach research, Earth restoration, and our personal lives should be reevaluated to prioritize Indigenous knowledge.

In the first chapter of the book, she asserts that stories are a “sacred and integral part of Indigenous way of life” (17). She embarked on her career as an ecologist while fully immersed in Western scientific practices. Stories were of little importance, and this is something she emphasizes throughout the book: even she had to put in the work to return to her duties as a community gatherer. To Grenz, the language we use to discuss ecological matters is of the utmost importance. Rather than using the words ‘conservation’ or ‘management’, she suggests the verbs caring, stewarding, and balancing. This is just one example of her suggestion that we all be more cognizant of the way we approach these conversations, because, after all, following the leadership of Mother Earth’s experts will act as a catalyst for significant improvement. 

Additionally, Grenz points out that colonial perspectives have irrevocably altered the modern relationship between North Americans and the environment. Indigenous people are, and have always been, true stewards of the land, and even the most innovative Western science is incapable of restoring personal ties to the earth. In her writing, she refers to these Indigenous experts as “knowledge holders” and highlights the epistemological correctness of history’s teachings. Aside from these leaders, Grenz shares her experiences with her own children as an example of continued curiosity and respect for our land. In her practice, scientific measurement is less important than human observation.

Moreover, Dr. Grenz details the encounters between herself and other (non-Indigenous) collaborators. She especially talks about the relationship between Indigenous communities and the government presiding over her home, British Columbia. Her obligation to the planet and her heritage has led her to become influential in the world of climate science, even though she does not strictly adhere to “traditional” scientific thinking.

In her final chapter, Head Meets Heart, the next steps and call to action are addressed. Though she does not explicitly mention climate solutions, she instead presents a new way of addressing an old problem. “We now carry teachings that have brought Clarity in our knowledge, empowered us to reclaim our ecological role, and given us the gift of the power to dream of ecological change. it is here in the western direction of the medicine wheel where it is time to reap what we have sown. to begin a new trajectory for caring for our lands and waters, a new trajectory for ourselves” (191).

Big Picture:

The book Restoring the Kinship Worldview is a collection of twenty-eight different writings and reflections about Indigenous culture and ways of thinking and life. The book explains how Indigenous culture is deeply interconnected with nature, community, and the universe. The book argues that people have a tendency to favor the “Dominant Worldview,” which is the Western worldview that people are greater than nature. People who favor this dominant worldview are more likely to believe that society should follow strict social classes and favor individualism over collectivism and responsibility. The book explains that this worldview has played a role in crises like climate change and the mental health crisis. In order to change and improve our ways, the authors Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) and Darcia Narvaez argue that people must “Restore the Kinship Worldview” and start following Indigenous ideas and views to follow a lifestyle that favors responsibility and deep connection with nature.

The author Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) is an Indigenous scholar, educator, and activist who is of Oglala Lakota heritage. His work centers around educational reform and environmental ethics. In the excerpts, he focuses on explaining his perspectives to help people adopt these views to improve respect and community, and also help sustain the environment without it being cultural appropriation. The other author, Darcia Narvaez, is a developmental psychologist and professor at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in human experience and well-being. She offers a more scientific and psychological perspective to each of the 28 excerpts. She emphasizes that humans are “hard-wired” for empathy, connection, and community. She argues that the Kinship Worldview is not just a belief system, but a scientifically proven, healthier way to approach life and reduce climate change. 

Key Insights:

The book offered many key insights that change perspectives world view and how to approach climate change. First, an interesting insight was in the excerpt titled “Connection to the Land” (Four Arrows & Narvaez, 2022) on page 219. The excerpt explains how humans are connected to their environment, and nature is viewed as a source of identity rather than just a place. Indigenous knowledge and spirituality are deeply rooted in their connection to the land and environment around them. The authors then explain the importance of being protectors of the land and making sure that the ecosystem is protected because humans are interconnected with their environment. This plays a key role in how to approach the ongoing issue of climate change. Rather than having a negative mindset that everything is “the end of the world,” we can instead learn to develop a connection to nature and realize that it is, in a way, a source of identity. This also ties back into class when the guest speaker, Dr. Lioubimtseva, was talking about solastalgia. She explains that solastalgia is when people feel a sense of grief for a place because it was environmentally changed (Lioubimtseva & Carron, 2025), which connects directly to my book. If people develop a mindset that the environment around them is a part of their identity, then it will be respected and cared for more. This mindset in the Kinship Worldview helps understand the potential impacts of hurting the environment, such as deforestation, mining, and ecosystem-affected processes.

Another key insight from the book was that Indigenous knowledge and wisdom are relational, responsibility-driven, holistic, and place-based. The authors argue that Western dominant knowledge is dominated by objective information that is disconnected from emotions and spirituality. However, Indigenous wisdom and knowledge are gained through observations of the land over generations as well as passed down stories, traditions, and teachings. The excerpt “An Emphasis on Heart Wisdom” (Four Arrows & Narvaez, 2022) on page 267 explains that heart wisdom encourages empathy, kindness, and compassion in decision-making. Darcia explains that the healthy brain consists of the right hemisphere (RH) and the left hemisphere (LH). The RH collects information and experiences and passes them on the LH to analyze. When the RH underperforms and does not pick up the right information, the LH’s ego “assumes” what is going on and can make things up. This is commonly seen in Western cultures because they are forced to not see the whole situation, but rather the facts of it. However, in Indigenous culture, it is seen that people think more in the RH because they consider more factors other than just facts, like empathy and respect. This forces proper recall in the LH, leading to more rational decision-making (Four Arrows & Narvaez, 2022). This explains that important knowledge comes from relationships. Instead of wisdom being viewed as objective facts, it consists of ethics, responsibility, and respect. Also, science in the Kinship Worldview is viewed as one big connected system of spirituality, science, health, and the environment. This really allows people to see the meaning and ethics in their actions and live in harmony with the earth. It also encourages people to take only what they need, which could reduce problems with over-fishing or food production, as well as over-mining.

Big Picture:

The 21 follows a group of 21 kids, their lawyer Julia Olsen, and nonprofit Our Children's Trust, as they work to sue the U.S. government over climate change. Juliana v. The United States of America, filed in 2015, argues that the government's involvement in the fossil fuel industry infringes on the rights of youth to life, liberty, and property. Youth are key to this case because they cannot vote and will inherit the problems and solutions of the future.

This book shows the power of diversifying climate solutions. We get to know all 21 youth plaintiffs from around the country and learn how deeply connected they are to climate change. Plaintiff Jayden Foytlin shares how their home flooded, and plaintiff Jamie Butler speaks on leaving her Navajo Reservation due to extreme drought. Hearing these stories is a devastating reminder of the climate crisis, but the story is not pessimistic. All 21 plaintiffs are hopeful and dedicated to a sustainable future, and, around them, they are creating a movement that empowers youth voices. #JoinJuliana went viral as a way to gain support and awareness for the case. It led to petitions, protests, and support for more youth legal action against their government.

Key Insights:

This book shows the power young people have when given the resources and the education. It shows how people from all areas are crucial in working towards a sustainable future. This case needed everyone: lawyers, judges, students, marketers, historians, climate scientists, and leaders of all ages, from kids to adults.

Juliana v. The United States never told the government how to fix the problem of climate change. They only asked that the government admit that the plaintiffs suffered harm, that the defendants (the government) caused the harm, and that the courts can provide a remedy. Lower courts agreed the plaintiffs suffered harm and the government caused the harm but the courts could not do anything about it. Nonetheless, Our Children's Trust worked with climate scientists to create a comprehensive, step-by-step plan for the U.S. Government to do its part in fighting for climate solutions. 350 Parts Per Million Pathways Report (350 ppm) aims at limiting global warming to 1 degree Celsius by 2100. It calls for a shift in the energy system from a fossil fuel based industry to an electric system. It highlights the importance of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power as well as electrifying everyday items like vehicles, furnaces, and appliances. Currently, electricity accounts for 20% of our needs; 350 ppm would shift that to 60%. Carbon capture is also discussed as a solution. 350 ppm encourages large-scale carbon capture operations by the 2040s. They recommend carbon capture at factories and from the air, and propose its uses as biofuel for trucks, trains, and airplanes. The estimated upfront cost for this plan is surprisingly attainable between 2-3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Compared to the 16% spent in World War I and the 40% spent in World War II, electrifying the United States is not only economically viable but also a small price to pay for a sustainable future.

Juliana vs the United States was denied a hearing at the Supreme Court level after a 10 year-long legal battle. While this might feel like a step back, the book makes a point to emphasize the importance of this case for climate change solutions. It acts as a foundational case for climate solutions, much like Brown v. The Board of Education was for desegregating schools. Juliana v. The United States is not only a legal battle but a moral one. It shows the power of law and gives hope for what climate solutions can be in the United States.

Big Picture:

This book made me really think about the effects that climate change is having on the Earth. Obviously, I knew some of it, but I never really realized the full extent of what it really was. It put the different facets and perspectives of climate change and its solutions into perspective for me, and I thought it was very interesting, especially given that there were so many people who helped to write this book. The different perspectives and anecdotes that they put into their sections really helped me to understand the intensity of what is at hand. There was one section of the book, 5.18, that I thought was very interesting. This chapter, written by Wanjira Mathai, a Kenyan native, is called “Women and the climate crisis.” It was about her home and how the climate crisis disproportionately affects the women of Africa because of the lack of education available, lack of employment available, lack of social mobility, and various other reasons. She talks about the “Green Belt Movement” in 1977, where women and girls in Kenya were educated about their connection to the land and the opportunities they do have, like working in tree nurseries and supporting reforestation around Kenya. It is still active today, teaching women and girls about climate change solutions, like planting or gardening, that they can do no matter what other circumstances they are in. There are so many ways to help the climate, and not all of them have to do with the science and the technological advances of environmental scientists. 

Key Insights:

This book was split up into five different sections based on what the content was. The main focus of the first section was on the science of the environment and about how the climate works. The writers discuss the loops and cycles of the Earth and how everything works together.  They talked about things like the carbon content of the Earth and how it affects the current statistics of the climate, like the fact that there are 500 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, entirely due to human involvement. It also laid out the cycles of carbon dioxide, explaining how it sustains most plant and ocean life and serves as an equilibrium for the planet. 

The second section explained how the climate itself is changing and the negative effects that it will have on the Earth. These authors and experts talked about how the environment and weather were changing because of the massive heat waves and drastic temperature changes that are throwing off the various ecosystems. They explain that these large changes from hot to cold are mainly due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases and air pollution in the atmosphere. They are also the cause of natural disasters, like the rise in forest fires, floods, tsunamis, and even the gradual extinction of various bugs and animals, since their habitats are being wiped out.

The third chapter was about how climate change affects life on the planet, including the health of the human population and the wildlife around the world. One of the analogies that they made was how the marine life being affected means that humans are affected by climate change. If the air is warmer, that would cause the ocean to also get warmer, which throws off marine life, causing issues and even death among the plants and animals in the oceans, lakes, and rivers. This would make it way harder to get food from these spaces, which in tropical places or islands, is a main food source for humans. This can also be seen in the wildlife on land, since the drastic hot and cold temperatures force them out of their habitats, or completely destroy their habitats in floods or fires. The lack of food from these sources would affect the human population and human health immensely. This part of the book also touched on environmental racism, which is where factories and other environmental hazards are built in places where mostly marginalized communities would be affected, and climate refugees, which are people who had to flee their homes due to some climate change-related disaster, like drastic weather or rising sea levels that flood their homes.

The fourth chapter was mainly about what we are doing to reverse the effects of climate change right now. One of the focuses in the beginning is governmental climate targets, where they compared the US environmental targets to those of other countries, like Sweden, to see what either country could do better, although the US took more inspiration from Sweden than vice versa. This influenced the decision to switch to more renewable energy. These authors also mentioned geoengineering a couple of times, which is basically using the Earth's atmosphere and ecosystems so that it can alter global climate systems. Geoengineering also helps to transition from fossil fuels and carbon into renewable energy, like solar. 

The fifth, and final, section of this book was about the solutions and what we can do about it in the future. The main theme of this chapter is being educated about the climate. This helps to ensure that people know what they're doing and gives people a good start to learning about climate change solutions. Without the apathy and dismissive behavior, people will care more and be more inclined to help. Diets, replanting trees, helping to sustain wildlife, and using the power you have as a person to help change laws and regulations are the important things that seem small but have such a big impact. The book also talks about changing the way the media sees climate change, and making sure people know it is not doomed. They also cite the pandemic, saying that in less than a year, with very little carbon emissions and human involvement due to the quarantine, the Earth and its nature had begun to heal. 

Big Picture: 

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity, but fear, guilt, and feelings of helplessness often prevent meaningful action. Anne Therese Gennari reframes the crisis by presenting optimism as a practical mindset, not naïve hope, that fuels sustained engagement, creativity, and leadership. She emphasizes that the stories we tell about climate change — whether in media, policy, or personal conversation — shape our emotional response and our willingness to act. Whereas traditional narratives focus on despair, blame, or overwhelming scale, optimism encourages agency, resilience, and the belief that meaningful change is possible. Gennari shows that worry can be transformed into purposeful action, that individuals can cultivate a sense of personal and communal power, and that challenges can be approached with creativity and courage. Optimism is framed as a daily practice that develops perseverance, psychological resilience, and the ability to act effectively within larger systems. Small, consistent actions, combined with systemic change, can create substantial impact over time, and imperfection does not preclude meaningful progress (Gennari, 2022, pp. 1–20). 

Key Insights: 

Climate change is defined as a fundamentally human challenge arising from choices, habits, and societal systems, yet these same factors present opportunities for solutions (Gennari, 2022, pp. 1–20). Optimism is presented not as denial but as a constructive response that shifts attention from fear to engagement and empowers readers to see their actions as impactful (Gennari, 2022, pp. 20–40). Central to this approach are the Five Pillars of Climate Optimism: Shifting the Narrative, Choosing Change, Inner Leadership, Optimism, and Activating Leadership, which serve as anchors for reshaping mindset and behavior (Gennari, 2022, pp. 40–60). Language is critical; narratives emphasizing agency and possibility lead to action, whereas those emphasizing doom or helplessness can cause disengagement (Gennari, 2022, pp. 60–80).

Inner leadership is highlighted as essential for navigating overwhelming information without succumbing to guilt or despair. Cultivating self-awareness, courage, and intentionality allows readers to respond with purpose rather than reactively, making climate action both effective and sustainable (Gennari, 2022, pp. 80–100). Optimism is described as an active, repeated choice, which Gennari terms “stubborn optimism,” emphasizing persistence even when progress is slow and the importance of celebrating incremental achievements as part of a larger journey (Gennari, 2022, pp. 100–120). 

Readers are encouraged to take practical steps in daily life, from adjusting habits and participating in community initiatives to engaging others through conversation and example. Each action, however small, contributes to a collective impact, reinforcing the principle that individual efforts matter and can inspire broader participation (Gennari, 2022, pp. 120–150). Focusing on positive outcomes rather than perfection or guilt fosters motivation and prevents burnout, allowing readers to sustain engagement over time (Gennari, 2022, pp. 150–180). 

Community is presented as a crucial multiplier of effectiveness. Networks of support, shared purpose, and collaboration amplify individual contributions and build solidarity. Engagement is framed as a collaborative adventure, in which sustainable choices become opportunities for creativity, connection, and personal growth rather than burdens (Gennari, 2022, pp. 180–210). Positive storytelling is emphasized as a strategy for inspiring action more effectively than alarmist messaging, showing that narratives rooted in hope can draw others into collective solutions (Gennari, 2022, pp. 210–240). 

Gennari stresses that perfection is unnecessary for impact. Perfectionism and fear of failure often immobilize potential contributors, whereas embracing imperfection and celebrating progress fosters continued participation and resilience (Gennari, 2022, pp. 240–270). Sustainable living is depicted as a source of personal empowerment, creativity, and even joy, rather than restriction or sacrifice. She repeatedly returns to the principle that meaningful action is cumulative, and that optimism allows readers to remain engaged even when immediate results are not visible (Gennari, 2022, pp. 270–300). 

By the conclusion, readers are encouraged to remain curious, adaptable, and persistent, recognizing that sustained optimism drives innovation, leadership, and transformative action. Climate engagement is cast as a journey of growth, one that strengthens inner resilience, inspires others, and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of communities and the planet (Gennari, 2022, pp. 270–300). Throughout, Gennari demonstrates that optimism is both a mindset and a practice, showing that empowered, informed, and hopeful individuals can be agents of real change.

Big Picture:

This paper will review the book Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas. The book was published in March of 2021, and has joined a growing repertoire of similar books and papers available, collectively within the category of pragmatic climate and sustainability literature. The books’ publishing occurred during a time when climate change awareness was a trend gaining more public attention. Dr. Kimberly Nicholas is a climate and sustainability scientist, professor at Lund University, and the author of several scientific articles. As a climate science and social science author, she has a valuable perspective.

The book has a myriad of interconnected key themes, but the means of creating and enabling climate solutions are most prominent, along with a discussion of how cultural norms need to change. Climate issues discussed by the book include fossil fuels, unsustainable food systems, unsustainable land use, overconsumption, and climate justice. Solutions include major changes in food systems, renewable energy and electrification, sustainable living practices, and designing walkable communities. Exploitative and regenerative mindsets, and how we must move away from the former and towards the latter, are also major themes. The importance of sustainable change and limiting warming to 1.5 to 2॰C through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is also interconnected to all of these themes. Connections are also made to humanity’s long-term goals and the criticality of sustainability to our societies. Sustainability is defined as the most desirable, viable goal.

Nicholas summarizes her books’ message as “It’s warming, it’s us, we’re sure, It’s bad, but we can fix it.” Analyzing the books’ structure, the design is organized and intentional. Sectioning is both categorical and emotional, with the aim to cover all areas relating to climate concerns, human sustainability, environmental sustainability, and climate action. Themes are also explored through multiple lenses, although the book is limited in that it tends to reference themes repetitively.

Key Insights: 

The book is split into three sections, capitalizing on the summary for clarity. These sections are “Part 1: It’s warming, it’s us”, “Part 2, we’re sure, it’s bad”, and “Part 3, we can fix it”. The author also includes a too-long; didn’t read (TL;DR) section, as well as a lengthy acknowledgements and notes section, with 51 pages of sources, referenced at relevant times by the author - this makes the book quite convincing through evidence alone. Each section has chapters which compartmentalize the areas covered - Part 1 discusses the facts of climate change, human systems, and ecosystem dynamics, and the problem that needs to be addressed, especially within the lens of exploitative mindsets (covered later). Part 2 covers the individual social sciences for the reader, especially how they can process and explore their own feelings and understandings of climate change issues and sustainability, and make use of them as a source of motivation. Part 3 primarily focuses on solutions, what change needs to occur, and how that change can be created realistically and pragmatically, emphasizing the importance and interconnectivity of individual and collective change and action, as well as the regenerative mindset.

Titles are formatted as action statements and informative guides, further embedding the pragmatic approach taken by the author and the focus on the reader’s actions and role within the human system. After titles, chapters frequently start with anecdotes, where Nicholas goes into aspects of her personal life and relationships. Anecdotes often form the basis of ideas central to each chapter, showing how the author’s experiences and connections to experts and others directly informed the ideas and perspectives she includes. Rather than being a limitation, this adds validity to the book, connecting her ideas to real-world examples and humanizing her as a climate scientist, making the book more convincing.

An especially useful dichotomy is made by the author, to better understand the end goals of sustainability and the needs of the present. Nicholas labels an “exploitative mindset” and a “regenerative mindset”, which are in opposition to each other. Many human systems in the past and present function through the exploitative mindset, which creates a norm of exploitation of people and the environment by other people. The United States, among other countries, is a prominent exploitative entity, that focuses on the domination of the natural environment and any perceived threats to “the American way of life”. This mindset places value on the profit motive, as well as unrestricted capitalism, including competition and monopolistic oligarchy. Along with underlying themes of racism, sexism, xenophobia, imperialism, and social injustice, this mindset perpetuates unsustainable ideas about resource systems, which can’t pull

infinite resources from a finite natural resource pool. Americans, Europeans, and the global wealthy are credited as emitting the most greenhouse gases, and using (overusing) the most resources. At the same time, people in positions of wealth and power, like Americans, Europeans, and the global wealthy, also have the most power to create change; as sustainable change is necessary to avoid climate catastrophe, the author notes that they are also the most responsible for creating change. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is mentioned as an impractical statistic, as short and long-term well-being should always be more relevant. 

The change mentioned is a shift to the regenerative mindset. This mindset includes “respect and care for people and nature; reduction of harm at sources; and [the building of systemic resilience].” Systemic changes to reach this mindset are expansive. They include fostering more connection with nature, designing systems to work with nature, and better connecting communities; redefining cultural ideas of a “good life” to reflect sustainable norms; acting in ways which better align with our core values; individually searching for purpose through work that combines what we love, are good at, and think is fun; and simply decarbonizing our transportation, energy, and food systems. 

The regenerative mindset is also touched on in Not the End of the World; both authors have a number of significant parallels. As well as themes surrounding regenerative and sustainable systems, both authors create separate definitions for environmental and human sustainability, although Hannah Ritchie formalizes it. This split definition shows how broad the concept of sustainability is, how interconnected natural and human systems are, how much we rely on natural systems, and how both ideas are different expressions of very similar concepts of long-term health and wellbeing. Both books also place heavy emphasis on cultural change, both the value of it and the specific need for it in the context of sustainability. This also relates to how our socio-cultural backgrounds, individually and collectively, completely define how we see the world, so regenerative cultural shifts for sustainable purposes would also have positive social impacts generally.

To a researcher exploring climate change and social science, this book is especially useful due to its analysis of the means by which people and systems change, and how we define cultural norms. These ideas are very useful for forming research methodologies which can explore social and climate issues in depth, especially considering the complete extent of interconnectivity throughout all of social and environmental systems. The large number of cited sources is also a useful repository of information for reference. Kimberly Nicholas’s writing style is also a useful reference for pragmatic works intended for general audiences, as social research needs to be able to connect and personally interact with individuals across demographics and backgrounds.

In conclusion, Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas explores climate solutions through the lens of social science, evaluating the state of the world and the social and cultural changes that need to occur on local and global scales. Mindsets around sustainability, particularly exploitative and regenerative mindsets, are defined and explored in depth. Human and environmental sustainability, and the importance of our actions in the current decade, are also emphasized as critically important to the future of humanity and the planet. Nicholas uses organizational methods effectively to convey the major themes of the book, in a format that is accessible to a wide range of readers. The book’s approach makes it a useful guide to a reader trying to understand their role in the present changing world, and it will continue to be relevant.

Big Picture:

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson inspires hope through What If We Get It Right? by conducting a series of interviews to get to the bottom of the very question in the title. This text includes discussions with experts in a wide variety of industries, who share their knowledge and experience related to climate action and justice. At the end of each section, Johnson asks her guests to describe their vision of the world if sustainability is achieved. Sprinkled in between her interviews, she includes quotes from climate leaders, climate art, and lists of 10 climate problems, followed by each of their possibilities for change. After compiling all of the interviews, she urges readers to find our “climate purpose - and to encourage others to find theirs as well,” (Johnson, 2024). We as individuals must consider what brings us joy, what we are uniquely good at, and evaluate what work still needs to be done for sustainability. Once we have determined our ideal solution, Johnson implores readers to shift these individual actions to the collective, and to “move from ‘I’ to ‘we’,” (Johnson, 2024). To “get it right,” we have to do the thing, do it with others, follow up with it, and do it with love.

Key Insights:

Sustainability is completely interdisciplinary and spans across many sectors, and this book
covers a wide range of topics, including science, infrastructure, business, culture, and policy.
Each category is explored in depth and requires its own solutions. One interview that really resonated with me is Ayana’s discussion with Leah Penniman, a Black Kreyol farmer in New York. She states that “on the consumer side of things, we live in a system of food apartheid, where your zip code and the color of your skin can determine your life expectancy, your access to fresh food, your disproportionate burden of diet-related illnesses like kidney failure and heart disease,” (p. 71).

This is especially relevant for my social research project this semester, as my group is interested in doing an assessment of Marquette’s local food system. Our rural community is considered a food desert, and the topics of food systems discussed in this interview are largely recognizable in our small town. Penniman’s expertise is concentrated in minority representation in agriculture, and at the end of her interview, her vision of a climate solution is to “love the Earth back, treat farmworkers fairly, [and] return the land,” (p. 85) to Indigenous and minority farmers.

Another interesting section of this book features Mustafa Suleyman, a tech executive and artificial intelligence expert who has worked with leading companies like DeepMind and Google. In this section, Suleyman highlights that innovation is a key factor in addressing the climate crisis, but “these tools are dual use,” meaning that we have to be careful that our uses of technology, such as AI, are restorative and not destructive (p. 131). When Johnson asks how we can achieve this, Suleyman suggests that “we need competent regulation” and “we have to trust our government,” (p. 131). Successful innovation is led by well-educated individuals who are not afraid to make mistakes, but who are able to adapt quickly to their failures and try again. The rapidly emerging AI industry, with these types of leaders, unlocks potential for immense climate change solutions, as AI can help collect and make sense of intricate data. Suleyman notes that “technical solutions often get a bad rap,” (p. 134) and that “in general, I think we need to be more forgiving of each other,”(p. 135) in order to make real, sustainable progress.

A third interview that struck me as being very insightful was with Kendra Pierre-Louis, who is a
science journalist who has dedicated her work to focusing on climate. During her discussion with
Johnson, Pierre-Louis describes her experiences working in a variety of newsrooms, and how
media outlets generally have “a very problem-focused lens: ‘If it bleeds, it leads,’” (p. 220). For
this reason, Pierre-Louis posits that we must change the way we disseminate climate
information and news. No longer can we keep these topics isolated from other stories, or
exaggerate the disasters without celebrating the wins. With the right education and
information, we have the potential to spark larger collective action to make truly sustainable
developments. Pierre-Louis states that we as individuals can easily “subscribe to publications,
financially support publications that you respect and believe in” as an effective climate
communication solution (p. 236).