Climate change is undeniably reshaping our lives, and the task of combating it can feel insurmountable. Philip Kent-Hughes’ Creating a Better Climate Future provides a compelling starting point for those willing to make the effort. This book will ignite in you the goal of establishing a personal anti-climate change movement and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
The book is divided into four parts. It begins with an overview of how we can solve the climate crisis, then moves through setting up your plan, implementing it, and then reviewing and updating the plan. Generally, the book seems geared toward the average citizen living in a first-world country.
The chapters, full of engaging graphs, cover the obstacles to climate change in the food, transportation, energy, production, and consumption sectors. The author’s personal resolutions and their outcomes in several chapters demonstrate his commitment. Statistics, percentages, and other scientific information are backed up with a properly cited appendix, ensuring readers know that the author is well-informed.
While this book serves as an introduction to the concept of becoming a climate hero, it also acts as a stepping stone. The author provides additional resources on his website and gives copious other non-profit and government sites that can help you find your sustainable purpose, encouraging readers to take the next steps in their journey.
Unfortunately, it seemed that most of the detailed rationale for addressing climate change now was hidden away in the appendix. Perhaps the author wanted the reader to develop their own action plan rather than draw from the more defined ‘shoulds’ found in the appendix. I would have liked to see that appendix information interspersed throughout the book as each topic was addressed rather than lost at the end.
As I mentioned, this book is only the beginning of developing a plan. As a case in point, the author discusses the pros and cons of renewable energy at the residential level, even sharing some of his own experiences. However, converting a home to solar is a significant undertaking that should involve the support of energy specialists. Having done this myself, I would know!
Creating a Better Climate Future by Philip Kent-Hughes is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone looking to make a difference in the fight against climate change. By providing a clear roadmap for developing and implementing a sustainable lifestyle, the book empowers readers to take meaningful action. The resources and personal insights contained in this book make it a valuable starting point for the average individual on their way to becoming a climate hero by taking steps to protect our planet for future generations.
I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery for this review. You can find my full review HERE.
C.E. Flores 