Environmental Book Club discussion
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This Changes Everything Discussion
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1. I generally loved the writing style and even though long and in depth I found it was a page turner, I think you just have to accept the depth and detail that Klein is going to go into. Overall I felt enlightened mostly because a lot of concepts were those that I had already been learning and starting to get my head round in other reading and discussion. But I will say I tried to read this book in ~2017 when I’d just got into environmentalism and had to put it down as I just couldn’t get my head around it, so I know first hand how overwhelming it can be- definitely not an introduction to climate type book is it!
2. I found the chapter(s?) about the Heartland institute so interesting, and it really solidified clearly why those most dedicated to free market capitalism will find ways to deny or turn away from capitalism. What I quite liked was Klein’s stance of rather than running away from them being wrong to be worried and ‘not making it political’ - embracing the fact that yes, the economical system will have to change if we are to truly turn climate change around.
3. I also loved the section guiding us through the story of Richard Branson and his failed solutions. Again, I’ve known that philanthropy was always treated with skepticism in the environmental movement but previously hadn’t been quite as clear as to why. I’m not sure where the balance lies as to refusing all corporate and philanthropic solutions (would this be possible?), but going forward I will be continuously sceptical of these and favour community and grassroots solutions.
4. and 5. I think a lot of people do believe more in technology than our power to change, but I think that’s because that is what we have been fed for so many years. I think people think we have to rely on them because over the years we haven’t been fed any other options to actually change the system. The geoengineering section was terrifying and I find it hard to think I could ever support these solutions going forward, unless it truly was the last available option.
6. I feel these both have a huge rule and that we are at a turning point now where we either truly fight for climate justice and a just transition away from fossil fuels, which includes reparations and redistribution, or we continue down the ’sacrifice zones’ route. I think/hope there has been increased awareness of this recently, and hope that the voices get louder to ensure this is considered at all stages. I loved the chapter ‘love will save this place’ and the stories about indigenous groups joining up with cattle ranchers and other locals to fight for the same cause. I truly think one of the positives to come from tackling climate change can be community care and coming together to fight all oppression.
7. I think this is a really really important question. I think we have to ensure a just transition by making sure there are jobs and retraining programs for communities reliant on fossil fuels, and also better education around climate change in general, including how solutions could make the world a better, fairer place. I’d love to know other people’s thoughts on this though!
8. It certainly changed a lot for me, and I only wish I could permanently stick all of the information into my brain! I will certainly be focusing on community and grassroots organising and galvanising, and continuing to ensure climate justice is considered at all levels, as well as holding FF companies and corporations accountable and not being sucked in by their greenwashing. It’s also made me realise I really need to find a way to start taking notes on books or annotating them!! (I know Adrienne does this) and I want to eventually get through all of Klein’s books!
And now for some quotes (too many to choose from!):
‘What the climate needs to avoid collapse is a contraction in humanity’s use of resources; what our economic model demands to avoid collapse is unfettered expansion. Only one of these set of rules can be changed, and it is not the laws of nature.’
“A destabilized climate is the cost of deregulated, global capitalism, its unintended yet unavoidable consequence”
“For decades, regular people have been asked to turn of their lights, put on sweaters and pay premium prices for non toxic cleaning products and renewable energy - and then watched as the highest polluters have been allowed to expand their emissions without penalty.”
“To confront the crisis truthfully is to accept (even embrace) being one porous part of the world, rather than its master or machinist “
“Coal was the black ink in which the story of modern capitalism was written”
“The solution to global warming is not to fix the world, it is to fix ourselves”
Also remember the questions are only suggestions- tell us whatever you want!
“I truly think one of the positives to come from tackling climate change can be community care and coming together . . .” Your quote makes sense, I just published a climate change novel, for MG and up. I wrestled with how to weave in realistic solutions to the plot. Climate change fiction is a difficult topic especially if you are writing for young people who need to feel hopeful and empowered to take action. Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure by Claire Datnow.
Mod
I will answer these questions in order:
1. Both overwhelming and enlightening. I'm amazed at how well researched this book is. I do feel like it can be hard to get through, although not because of Klein's writing style or anything- it's just a lot to take in! Even as someone who studies and is crafting a career in the environmental field, it doesn't always make it any easier to read big books like this one. It was well worth it though!
2. This book gave me a perspective about climate denialism and the role of capitalism/greed/power/overconsumption/systemic oppression in fueling our climate crisis that I hadn't fully understood before. I found myself repeatedly shocked at the blatant "denial" that occurs every day in our modern societies. It's not always just a lack of understanding or education but an intentional and strategic move to further uphold a worldview and way of life that benefits the wealthiest. It's disheartening and enraging to know that people truly don't care about others and just care about the bottom line/their own power and wealth- but isn't that exactly the way our societies have functioned and were designed to work?
3. I am absolutely on board with Fran in that I will remain skeptical and push for solutions that actually consider and will benefit real communities. I think it's time to move beyond "good intentions" and focus on communities that have always been fighting for community care and climate justice, etc. Big corps? Time to pay up and move aside.
4-5. I am weary of technological solutions because I do know people would much prefer an "easy solution" that doesn't shake up their way of life and worldview. There might be a place for innovative technology but it can't be the only thing and I surely don't put my trust in billionaires pushing for carbon capture technology while they profit off of others' vulnerability and fear.
6-7. I will answer these with excerpts from Klein's conclusion: (paraphrased) "A minimum income makes it possible for workers to say no to dirty energy jobs." (Think about how powerful it would be if people didn't have to focus all their energy into simply working to make ends meet and know that their basic needs are being met- how many of us could focus our energy and time on community care/mental health/climate solutions/activism etc)
"It's about what we owe to one another based on our shared humanity, and what is it that we collectively value more than economic growth and corporate profits."
7. This book definitely changed a lot and solidified a lot of concepts and ideas that I hadn't yet been able to put into words. I imagine that when I re-read this, I will find even more value and change everything all over again.
I hope those responses made some sense- I typed it all out and thought it posted and then realized it hadn't - so my responses are not quite as "well put together" as I would like. Oh well!!
Mod
1. I generally loved the ..."
I have to say that the quote you mention is 100% my perspective and sums it up so well!!
"The solution to global warming is not to fix the world, it is to fix ourselves.”
It's probably the one thing that people don't want to hear! Because it requires self-reflection and criticism that can be quite difficult to handle.
Mod
Thanks for sharing Claire!
What'd you think of This Changes Everything? We look forward to your perspective!
We would love to read some more climate fiction in the future (and love that more authors are writing for our younger members of society- so important!)
I’ve begun reading This Changes Everything. One thing that resonates with me is the need to change our relationship with nature. I weave this theme into my cli-fi eco adventure, Red Flag Warning. Thanks for endorsing the need to educate and inspire the next generation who will be making decisions, and voting for leaders that will impact the health of our planet.
I read this book in 2014, the week after it came out, because I happened to be taking a seminar in college called “Sociology of Climate Change”... so the content is not fresh enough for me to answer the great questions you posted. I remember feeling a sense of helplessness after reading it, like the problem - and corporations - is simply out of the control of private citizens, and even of politicians. Back then, that was the tone of most books about climate change (at least from my perspective), so it didn’t seem particularly fatalistic at the time. But over the past few years, I think we have seen the rise of more “positive ones”. Now they are not only about the impending doom, but also offer lots of suggestions, pathways, and reasons that inspire us to keep fighting. I’m sorry to go a bit off topic, as this is a book club, but I’d love to know if some of you have also seen this shift, or whether it’s more my perception, perhaps because I have actively looked for such books.
My main criticism of the book, however, has to do with the author. I read Shock Doctrine and No Logo, and I got the impression that she was an expert in the topics in the books, and that she had spent a good part id her career in those topics.
But with This Changes Everything, I felt like she talked with the authority of a climate expert, as if she had a level of expertise that she actually doesn’t, which people like Michael Mann, Elizabeth Kolbert, Bill McKibben, etc. do have. My friends and colleagues who have academic and professional experience with the field share my concerns.
So I raise the question, and would love to hear your opinions, about whether you found her convincing and knowledgeable, or if your view is similar to mine.
Wow! Naomi Klein has really given us a lot to process and think about this time around. We hope you all enjoyed the book and were able to get through it alright. Feel free to answer any or all of these questions whenever you feel ready to! We will open the discussion today (2/21) but will leave it open for anyone to come back to at any time.
1. What did you think of the book and the writing style? Did the book make you feel overwhelmed or enlightened?
2. Did this book make it clearer for you why climate denialism is so rife in certain subgroups of people?
3. What do you think about the role of both philanthropy and corporations in tackling climate change?
4. “The cure could be worse than the disease.” (p. 275) What do you think about Geoengineering after reading Klein’s experiences? And do you think we believe more in technology than our own power to change?
5. When thinking about technological solutions, do you think we rely on them to get us out of this crisis? How might we integrate our own personal power for societal change with technological solutions?
6. What do you feel the role of wealth distribution and anti-colonialism have in fighting for climate justice? Did Klein's writing make you think differently about wealth equity and climate justice?
7. How might we move forward in a fossil fuel-free society without damaging the livelihoods of communities reliant on the industry?
8. Will you change anything as a result of reading this book? Did it in fact "change everything" for you?
We can't wait to discuss!