In the face of ever-increasing temperature and a prevailing sense of resigned helplessness, emergency advisor Kent-Hughes offers something healthier than doom scrolling: a helpful guide on ways that individuals can make a difference in fighting one of the hottest topics in global politics, climate change. Clear, compact, and practical, Creating A Better Climate Future has been crafted as an encouraging eight-step “emergency plan,” complete with action steps, for making change, becoming “a client hero,” building momentum, and inspiring others. Arguing that “we still have time to turn things around,” Kent-Hughes makes the case that the real problem isn’t carbon emissions—it’s the “obstacles to positive change.” His guide showcases what everyday people can do to “use the economic system to change itself,” first with some easy wins and then bigger goals that can build upon that foundation.

While upbeat about what “people power” can accomplish, Kent-Hughes makes no equivocations: change is difficult, and his breakdown of current projections about the speed and impact of climate change proves suitably terrifying. But his theme throughout is “we can do this,” and he’s persuasive in his highly documented demonstrations of how outraged consumers can force companies to change their behavior. “Profit motive is countered by freedom of choice,” he notes, arguing for boycotts as the vehicles for change.

Emphasizing the urgency of creating community and spreading a positive vision, Kent-Hughes demonstrates how to set achievable objectives connected to larger climate goals (switch from a linear to a circular economy; “Halve per capita global food loss and food waste”) in key categories like food and transportation, all of which he lays out with clarity. His guidance for change-making is targeted to readers’ individual skills, interests, and availability, from “lifestyle changer”s to “online influencers” and “non-violent direct action.” Throughout the guide, different categories of action (influence, connect, communicate) are color coded for ease of use. Readers eager to feel that individual efforts contribute to a broader movement will find much that resonates..

Takeaway: Inspiration and action steps for individuals eager to push back against climate change.

Comparable Titles: Heidi A. Roop’s The Climate Action Handbook, Paul Hawken’s Regeneration.

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