The Best New Climate Change Books and Podcasts

As a climate advocate, you want to stay well informed, up to date, and equipped in the work you do.  On today’s show the Citizens Climate Radio Team willI help you do just that. In today’s show they feature the newest and best books and podcasts related to climate advocacy. They also speak to the creators behind these excellent new resources. 

Find a full transcript here: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/blog/podcast/episode-89-the-best-new-climate-change-books-and-podcasts/

New Nonfiction about Climate Change

1. The Twenty-One, The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch

“I feel like we adults need kids to tell us the obvious, and the obvious is that all citizens do have a constitutional right to a stable climate. There is no life, no liberty and no property without a stable climate and their government, our government should not be allowed to continue to contribute to this problem.” Elizabeth Rusch, author of The 21.

This book dives into the ongoing landmark federal climate change lawsuit Juliana versus the United States of America. She introduces us to the 21 young people who came from different states to sue the US government. They have accused the federal government of denying them their constitutional right to life and liberty by not acting to address the causes of climate change. Elizabeth sat down with us to tell stories from the book. You'll hear about young people courageously stepping up in a big way and the importance of this historic case.

“Not only should more people pay attention to the case, we believe anyone reading Elizabeth's book will be inspired to do great things.” -Horace Mo

Follow Elizabeth Rusch on X. She is also on Instagram. 

2. California Against the Sea: Visions for our Vanishing Coastline by Rosanna Xia

“When I first submitted my manuscript to my book editor and she read just the entirety of what I was trying to write, she said, wow, this feels like such an incredible blend of old school journalism, radical listening, and deep hanging out.” -Rosanna Xia, author of California Against the Sea

The author tells us about the big themes that emerge in the book. She also shares expert tips for the work we do as climb advocates connecting with the public and public officials. Oh, and she talks about hope. How much hope should we include in our stories? Can sharing too much hope make people complacent?

“This is not a dry book with nonstop facts and figures. Instead, Rosanna brings together a community of vibrant stories and memorable people. Through these human connections Rosanna explores issues like private ownership along the coast, public accessibility to nature and the need to build resilient communities and infrastructure, even if you're not a Californian.” -Karina Taylee

Follow Rosanna Xia on X and read more of her writing at the LA Times

3. Am I Too Old to Save the Planet? A Boomer’s Guide to Climate Action by Lawrence MacDonald

“We've reached a point where an individual action is going to be too little too late. And so we really need collective action to have rapid policy change. And that's one of the reasons that I am actually a big admirer of Citizens Climate Lobby. The idea of carbon fee and dividend I think is a very powerful driver for action. I think that can be very powerful. And it's going to need a bipartisan consensus.” -Lawrence MacDonald, author, Am I Too Old to Save the Planet?”

This book delves into how the generation with the potential to enact change allowed climate issues to escalate into a global crisis - and offers solutions.Lawrence MacDonald, a former international correspondent and former vice president of the World Resources Institute, shares his personal transformation into a dedicated climate advocate. Brimming with actionable insights, this book may be the gift that opens us a meaningful conversation with a grandparent or older relative. 

“Lawrence hopes younger people like me, will use his book to help us connect with older Americans about climate change.” -Horace Mo

Follow Lawrence MacDonald on X and read his writing on Medium. 

4. The Quickening: Creation and Community at the End of the World by Elizabeth Rush

In 2019 57, scientist and crew embarked on the ship the Nathaniel B. Palmer. They were there to explore Thwaites Glacier. This is a mysterious and potentially catastrophic site for global sea level rise. Elizabeth Rush's new book, The Quickening, chronicles their journey. She mixes sublime moments like seeing icebergs up close. With everyday activities like ping pong and lab work. It also delves into the personal question of bringing a child into a changing world. This Antarctica story also focuses on imagining a better future understanding the continent's history, and highlighting the roles of women and people of color and expeditions

Hear Elizabeth Rush talking about her first book, Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore. She appeared in Episode 26 of Citizens Climate Radio, Deep Water. 

“In Rising, Rush wove in narratives from coastal residents around the USA, along with her own research and personal reflections about sea level rise. It was beautifully written in a way that humanized global warming for me. In her newest book, Quickening, she is back to weaving stories while helping us nudge nearer to the biggest story of our time, Climate Change.” -Peterson Toscano

The Ultimate Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) List

Dr. Krista Hiser has been a regular guest and contributor to Citizens Climate Radio. She helps educators find creative ways to incorporate climate change into the curriculum. She does this work in several ways. Currently she is the Senior Lead and Advisor for advancing Sustainability Education over at the Global Council for Science and the Environment. She is also a professor of Composition & Rhetoric. But perhaps one of her most exciting endeavors is a successful online group she started. It’s called The Ultimate Cli-Fi Book Club. She shares four books that will help deepen your understanding of climate change and empathy for everyone impacted by extreme weather and global warming. 

1. Night in the World by Sharon English
2. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.
3. The Man with the Compound Eyes by Wu Ming-Yi, Darryl Sterk (Translator)
4. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
5. The Memory of Water by Emmi Itžranta 

Here are some books and authors that have been featured on Citizens Climate Radio

1. Mr. Eternity by Aaron Thier, Episode 10.
2. Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins, Episode 22.
3. Code Blue and Code Red by Marissa Slaven, Episodes 33 and 65.

Find even more books on this lists

• Compelling Climate Fiction to Read Before it Becomes Non-Fiction, New York Public Library.
• 20 Climate Fiction Books: From Apocalypse to Budding Hope, Libro Maniac
• 7 Climate Fiction Recommendations to Start your Cli-Fi Journey, Talk Dharti to Me
• Environmental Novels: Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction, Illinois University LIbrary

Six Podcasts that creatively address climate change

1. Green Tea Party Radio

“It's really hard finding content out there for environmental conservatives, in particular, young environmental conservative, 18 to 25, within that age range, you know, high school, college, young professional. I had known Hannah and Zachfrom working at Citizens Climate Lobby and we would bump into each other at conferences, and while we were all there, we were all talking. We all kind of looked at each other, and we said, “Well, what if we made something to kind of fill that gap?” -Katie Zakrzewski, co-host of Green Tea Party Radio.

This podcast is produced by three young Conservatives for other young Conservatives. Katie Zakrzewski, Zach Torpie, and Hannah Rogers offer fresh perspectives on climate change as they offer up conservative friendly solutions. No matter where you fall in the political spectrum, this podcast fosters productive discussions around this critical global issue

              2. The Change: Women, Technology and the Anthropocene

“The future is looking especially uncertain, and I really wanted the podcast for it to be sort of an opportunity for people like yourself, who are young people, or people who are looking to make a change in their life, to understand what they can do, to sort of get involved in the climate space, but be that professionally or on social level.” -Zara Amer, producer of The Change podcast

 

The Change podcast brings together women who bridge some of the boundaries that exist and persist between women and technology in the Anthropocene. 

Learn more about the podcast and the other programs offered through The Climate Change Project. 

 

3. EcoRight Speaks Podcast hosted by Chelsea Henderson

This is another Conservative Climate Change podcast that’s been around for a couple of years. EcoRight Speaks, is a project of RepublicEN, the group founded by Bob Inglis, former US representative from South Carolina and a member of the CCL advisory board. He appears in Episode 57 The Tide is Rising.

4. Climate Changed hosted by Nicole Diroff and Ben Yosua-David

The Climate Changed podcast speaks directly to faith leaders and community leaders. It is sponsored by The BTS Center in Portland, Maine. Their goal is to develop spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world.

5. Sustainable Cents hosted by Veda Ganesan

Veda, a high school student and an active volunteer with Citizens Climate Youth, dives into all things money, economy, investing, climate, and environment, one episode at a time.

6. America Adapts, hosted by Doug Parsons

The America Adapts podcast explores the challenges presented by adapting to climate change, the global movement that has begun to drive change, and the approaches that are already working.

Take a Meaningful Next Step

Each month we will suggest meaningful, achievable, and measurable next steps for you to consider. We recognize that action is an antidote to despair. If you are struggling with what you can do, consider one of the following next steps. 

1. Podcast Engagement

• Subscribe and listen to one of the recommended climate change podcasts.
• Share the knowledge and insights you gain with your friends.
• Whenever possible, rate and review the podcasts to boost their visibility.
• Increased listenership and discussions can accelerate climate change awareness and action.

2. Carbon Fee and Dividend Movement (For College Students)

• Explore the Carbon Fee and Dividend movement, which advocates for effective climate policies.They creatively engage college students, faculty, and staff in their campaigns. This movement also facilitates direct connections with lawmakers
• Utilize the hashtag #carbonfeeanddividend on social media.
• Learn more at CFDmovement.com and follow them on Instagram @carbonfeeanddividend.

3. Citizens Climate Lobby National Youth Action Team (For Middle and High School Students)

• Students can get involved with the CCL National Youth Action Team. Participate in initiatives such as the Great School Electrification Challenge.
• Visit Youth.CitizensClimatelobby.org to learn more and follow them on Instagram @CitizensClimateYouth.

4. Additional Climate Action Resource (For anyone at any time

    For those seeking more ways to take action, explore the action page at CCLusa.org/action.

Meet Karina Taylee, a new CCR Team Member

Karina Taylee, hails from the vibrant cultural mosaic of Miami, Florida, where she's witnessed the firsthand impacts of climate change. Miami's diverse heritage, with Latin bakeries and conversations in Spanish, is deeply cherished by Karina.

Her resolve to protect her city led her to become a CCL volunteer in 2021, now serving as a liaison with her district, setting up lobbying appointments with congressional offices. Through this journey, she discovered a community of dedicated individuals, who foster her aspirations in science communication as she pursues a master's degree in Global Strategic Communications. Karina aims to creatively share the climate movement's story at Citizens Climate Radio, emphasizing that everyone plays a vital role in overcoming climate change. When not advocating, she enjoys beach time with her three adorable dogs and looks forward to connecting with the audience en español in upcoming episodes. 

Karina is currently working on a new CCR limited podcast series,  Voces del Cambio: Explorando el Clima en Latinoamérica. Voices of Change, exploring climate in Latin America.

Good News 

Lila Powell tells us about Virginia's annual Clean the Bay Day, which she experienced this year. It has been an important tradition since 1989. Thousands of volunteers gather on the first Saturday of June for a three-hour cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This year, over 4,000 volunteers removed 114 pounds of debris, including surprising finds like a plastic hippo and a packaged pork tenderloin. The cleanup significantly benefits the ecosystem and engages the community. While it's specific to Virginia, those in the Chesapeake Bay watershed can participate in their own cleanups. Visit cbf.org/clean to join the cause..

Listener Survey

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