8 thought provoking books of 2022 on climate change

One of the most daunting and burning talks of the year 2022 was indeed the matter of climate change. Talking about the frightening realities of climate change was and is indeed the need of the hour. Climate crisis is slowly turning into a deadly threat to human existence. You might wonder about the challenges climate change poses, its solutions and how it is impacting human existence. And so, here we list down some thought-provoking books about climate change, which were released in 2022, that answers these questions for you.

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'The Big Fix' is your perfect guide for addressing the climate crisis if you’re looking for one. Justin Gillis in 'The Big Fix' talks about the seven urgent changes which are the pressing priority and will bring about a change to the situation of climate crisis. Gillis talks about holding governments accountable and the important role they play in executing the solutions proposed.

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Jessica Hernandez in 'Fresh Banana Leaves' focuses on the indigenous science behind combatting the climate crisis. Through case studies, personal narratives, and family histories of Indigenous Latin American women and land protectors, Hernandez has tried to emphasize upon the role played by indigenous communities and people in saving the surroundings. She mentions that indigenous people view their natural resources and surroundings as part of their kin, relatives and communities.

The book talks about Indigenous science and its role in living in balance with nature and how we never find it in modern day conservation policies and western conservatism.

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'The World As We Knew It' is a collection of testimonials and pieces by 19 authors. The book is edited by Brady and Isen. In the book, the literary writers talk about how climate change has impacted their lives personally and about the haunting consequences posed by the crisis. Some of them include- Lydia Millet penning down the end of the Saguaro cacti in her Arizona backyard. Omar El Akkad in “Faster than we thought” talks about how the brimming temperature in Qatar has changed his home. Gabrielle Bellot talks about how invasion by lionfish brought an end to the coral reef in the Caribbean near her home. The stories depict how places close to the hearts of these authors changed in a devastating and disheartening manner.

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'The Intersectional Environmentalist' by Leah Thomas talks about “intersectionality” i.e intersection between environmentalism, sustainable changes, racism, privilege. Thomas talks about the fact that the planet cannot be saved without including and giving a platform to the voices of its people. For those who don't know, Leah Thomas is the activist who coined the term "Intersectional Environmentalism”. Thomas in the book urges people to strive towards change through empowerment of all people and talks about the importance of giving a platform to the voiceless. The book dismantles privilege, and looks towards combating climate change through upliftment of people of color, voiceless, indigenous people etc. The book also throws light on the brief history of related movements including ecofeminism, environmental justice, etc.

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This book addresses the most pressing issues of climate migration and refugees. The book proposes a bold plan to manage migration because of climate. Drought-hit regions, diminishing Coastlines, Wildfires and hurricanes are some of the few consequences of climate change and climate change is seen as the obvious culprit, but Gala Vince in this book argues that not enough of us are confronting one of the biggest, and most present, consequences- a total reshaping of the earth’s human geography. She argues that global migration has doubled in the past decade, and billions displaced. The main question emphasized is how will this new great migration reshape us all? Vince who is an environmental reporter, over two years of travel to the front lines of climate migration tell us how the changes will transform everything.

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Ben Rawlence in 'The Treeline' talks about Norway’s wildest forest, where ice-white tundra should bloom and stretch; however, the dark forms fleck the snow. The author says that trees too have become refugees. Their world is changing and they are finding it difficult to adapt. For decades the trees of the boreal forest have been moving north. Ben Rawlence through the book takes the readers from Norway to Siberia, Alaska to Greenland, Canada to Sweden. Rawlence blends reportage with the latest science, telling the story of a forest, a tree and the future surrounding them.

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'Life On The Rocks' is a tale urging to save the coral reefs, and its significance. Berwald says in the book that coral reefs are full of wonders hidden beneath the ocean’s surface burst with color and life. They protect vulnerable coasts. But these corals are dying. The reasons include warming oceans, pollution, damage by humans etc.

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"We still have time to change the world. From Greta Thunberg, the world's leading climate activist, comes the essential handbook for making it happen," reads the book's blurb. The book is a collection of essays by more than a hundred experts. The causes, consequences and challenges of climate change and the urgency of the situation are few topics deeply focused on in the book. The book is perfect for people who want to gain apt knowledge about the issue and how to combat it.

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