How Are We Going to Explain This?

An internationally bestselling book on climate change that is both realistic and hopeful—detailing exactly which actions make a difference and why—from a charismatic young Dutch journalist.

Journalist Jelmer Mommers has discovered that bringing up the subject of climate change is a great way to ruin a conversation. Most people prefer to look away, resigned to an apocalyptic fate. But the climate crisis does not have to signify The End. Mommers argues that there are ways we can mitigate, prevent, and even reverse the damage.

Drawing on the most up-to-date climate science, Mommers describes the current state of the environment and shows how we got here, outlines possible outcomes if we act and if we don’t, and debunks common misconceptions—from outright denial to fatalism. He then explains what we can do individually and collectively to address the crisis, from taking trains rather than flying short distances, to ensuring we aren’t invested in fossil fuels, to using activism and our voting power to encourage governments to build renewable energy sources.

This is an illuminating and urgent book for everyone who is looking away—and it is also inspiring as it offers hope and a plan. There will be future generations to whom we will have to explain ourselves, so let’s start by making better choices now.