CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW WE'LL FIX IT

An encouraging, eloquently argued call to action.

Though rightly suggesting that “climate crisis” is a more apt term than “climate change,” Harman delivers an overview that is measured rather than urgent, focused more on general talking points than specific actions. Keeping “sciencey” terms to a minimum, she lays out general causes—mostly unrestrained use of fossil fuels and wanting “too much stuff”—and current and potential effects of human-engendered changes, including the scary prospect of unpredictable, uncontrollable climactic “feedback loops.” She then launches into a series of fictive exchanges between activist and reactionary talking heads on “problems” including corporate greed (“The ‘Just one more cookie’ problem”), conflicts between poor and rich nations (“That’s not fair!” and “Smelt it, dealt it”), and hostile responses to being told what to do (“Goody-two-shoes”). Acknowledging that “climate justice” is “a marathon, not a sprint,” she finishes up in a section brashly titled “The Solutions” by urging concerned readers to get off the stick but (savvy advice) not to have unrealistic expectations of either themselves or others. Her concluding promise that “we can stop climate change” runs counter to scientific assessments that the best we can do is slow it, however. Along with being diverse in age, race, and, to some extent, dress, the dozens of humans in Lozano’s cartoon illustrations include figures in wheelchairs and a same-sex couple. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.8-by-15.2-inch double-page spreads viewed at 75% of actual size.)

Rich in pointers but too reasonable to be a mind-changer.