4 Books to Understand Climate Change This Autumn

The Approaching COP26 and a New Wave of Climate Literature

The COP26 environmental policy conference is rapidly approaching. This significant event will see numerous global leaders convene in Scotland to address critical questions regarding the planet’s future.

This impending conference has spurred a surge in new publications focused on environmental issues. Simultaneously, older, relevant works are experiencing a resurgence in interest.

Building upon our previous summer review of climate change literature, we present evaluations of four additional books that delve into this complex and compelling subject matter.

Book Reviews: Exploring Diverse Perspectives

• “Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson: This work, examined in a piece titled “The dark side of environmentalism,” presents a cautiously optimistic outlook. Robinson envisions global cooperation in resolving planetary challenges, but only after a period of disruption caused by an ecoterrorist organization.

• The review explores the underlying values presented in the novel and their potential implications for our world.

• “The Vertical Farm” by Dr. Dickson Despommier: Recently reissued in a tenth-anniversary edition, this book examines the concept of vertical farming.

• Vertical farms represent a potentially transformative approach to agriculture, bringing food production closer to densely populated urban centers.

• Brian Heater’s review assesses the feasibility and potential efficacy of this innovative agricultural method.

• “The Exponential Age” by Azeem Azhar: An interview with Azhar explores the convergence of technologies – including semiconductors, gene editing, and 3D printing – and their collective impact on reshaping the world.

• The discussion highlights the accelerating pace of technological change and its far-reaching consequences.

• “The Great Derangement” by Amitav Ghosh: This book, a collection of insightful lectures, offers a critical analysis of the disconnect between contemporary culture and the urgent needs of the climate crisis.

• Ghosh questions the reluctance of artists and writers to engage with the escalating environmental challenges facing the planet.

Ghosh’s work is described as intensely thought-provoking, brimming with valuable insights into the cultural factors hindering effective climate action.