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The New Climate War

The Fight to Take Back Our Planet

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The New Climate War

By: Michael E. Mann
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
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About this listen

Shortlisted for the FT/McKinsey Business Book of the Year award

A renowned climate scientist shows how fossil fuel companies have waged a thirty-year campaign to deflect blame and responsibility and delay action on climate change, and offers a battle plan for how we can save the planet.

Recycle. Fly less. Eat less meat. These are some of the ways that we've been told can slow climate change. But the inordinate emphasis on individual behavior is the result of a marketing campaign that has succeeded in placing the responsibility for fixing climate change squarely on the shoulders of individuals.


Fossil fuel companies have followed the example of other industries deflecting blame (think "guns don't kill people, people kill people") or greenwashing (think of the beverage industry's "Crying Indian" commercials of the 1970s). Meanwhile, they've blocked efforts to regulate or price carbon emissions, run PR campaigns aimed at discrediting viable alternatives, and have abdicated their responsibility in fixing the problem they've created. The result has been disastrous for our planet.

In The New Climate War, Mann argues that all is not lost. He draws the battle lines between the people and the polluters-fossil fuel companies, right-wing plutocrats, and petrostates. And he outlines a plan for forcing our governments and corporations to wake up and make real change, including:
  • A common-sense, attainable approach to carbon pricing- and a revision of the well-intentioned but flawed currently proposed version of the Green New Deal;
  • Allowing renewable energy to compete fairly against fossil fuels
  • Debunking the false narratives and arguments that have worked their way into the climate debate and driven a wedge between even those who support climate change solutions
  • Combatting climate doomism and despair-mongering
With immensely powerful vested interests aligned in defense of the fossil fuel status quo, the societal tipping point won't happen without the active participation of citizens everywhere aiding in the collective push forward. This book will reach, inform, and enable citizens everywhere to join this battle for our planet. Earth Sciences Environment Politics & Government Science Palaeontology Natural History Inspiring Climate Science Climate Wars

Critic Reviews

"Fossil fuel companies have, for decades longer than I have been alive, been the largest contributors to the climate crisis that affects my generation today--all in pursuit of profits and growth. In The New Climate War, Michael Mann holds them to account, and shows us how we can take the bold steps we must all take together to win the battle to save this planet."—Greta Thunberg, climate activist
"This book takes the reader behind the front lines into the decades long information war waged by the fossil fuel industry and those that share their interests. From his perspective as a leader in the battle for scientific reason, Michael Mann provides hope and a roadmap for all of us to address the systemic issues fueling climate change, and shows how we can come together to wage a new war in the fight for our future."
—Leonardo DiCaprio, actor and environmental activist
"Few people bear more scars from the climate wars than Michael Mann--and few have fought longer and harder for a basic, rational approach to dealing with this greatest of crises. Because of his persistence--and that of so many others--we are finally making progress!"—Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
"With this book, Michael Mann details the challenges we face from enemies ("inactivists") both without and within while dropping critically important breadcrumbs for us to follow to lead us out of the forest of despair and set us on the path of victory in a battle we must win. We need an army of Michaels, stat!"
—Don Cheadle, actor, activist, UN global goodwill ambassador
"Pulling no punches, Michael Mann lays out our predicament and tells the shocking story of persistent climate denial and corporate deception. We are in a war for the planet, but one we are now on the verge of winning. And he deftly cuts through the propaganda and shows us the path forward."—Jerry Brown, California governor, 1975-1983, 2011-2019
"Mann shows that corporations and lobbyists have been successful in convincing us that climate change will be fine, if we just recycle our bottles and turn out the lights. Instead, he says, global warming is a problem way too hot for any one person to handle. He's optimistic though, because he sees what we really can and will do. Read his book, and let's get to work."—Bill Nye, Science Educator, CEO The Planetary Society
"For over two decades, Michael Mann has been our Janus at the gates, defending climate science from corporate-funded insinuations of confusion and suspicion. We would not have progressed this far had it not been for his unflinching and brilliant rejoinders to the traffickers of doubt. This chronicle of ongoing climate injustice may make you mad, but hopefully it will make us act. This is the only civilization we have. Mann is its resolute champion once again."—Paul Hawken, Founder, Project Drawdown
All stars
Most relevant
Of course, saying that Michael E. Mann can provide deep insight should hardly be a revelation. The man has spent decades accumulating knowledge. But this book is not about the mechanisms of climate change; it is about what we can do, who we are fighting, and the tactics that the Inactivists employ.
If I could be sure that would read it, I would but a copy for every politician in the country.
Read it, and share what you learn with others.

There is both Urgency and Agency

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a very interesting look at the history of the climate wars, disinformation and where we are not. I fell prey to the movie "planet of the humans" and feel bad I didn't fact check what was said( however I haven't fact checked this book either).

made me think

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The author presents an interesting case for the various means by which the petrol industry uses to influence policy decisions to protect their interests. These methods are presented in detail in a manner that does indeed demonstrate an increased level of sophistication employed in such efforts by those who stand to gain by delaying meaningful efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
Unfortunately, the book’s message is undermined by the same deficiencies that have become so common in modern American non-fiction, chiefly the deviation from a truly objective perspective and the reliance on certain beliefs and assumptions of an American audience.
The book is a combination of genuine, informed insight with an autobiographical perspective that tends to illustrate bias (understandable) that casts doubt on what appear at first to be reasonable assumptions. The author’s personal experience of the efforts by petrol-industry interests to discredit climate scientists is informative, but does not necessarily prove the author’s assertions at any given point in the narrative.
I found the “fight” narrative unhelpful, as it frames the problem and the solution in terms of conflict rather than collaboration. The characterisation of Russians throughout the book is particularly grating, and harkens back to the Cold War “evil empire” messaging so apparent in American politics today.
The book would have been more compelling had it presented more direct evidence of the disinformation methods described, rather than relying on emotive and occasionally derisive implication.

An interesting perspective

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Well researched and factual book covering the scientific reality of climate change and the political and misguided attempts to derail necessary action to combat it. Thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone interested in the future of our planet.

Very measured and sensible message

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Mann provides an in depth and detailed position on his climate advocacy awareness and also hope to the climate crisis, from a global and even Australian context.

An important book for those wanting to learn more on the climate crisis, the science behind the challenges, the role of media, corporations and community.

Your 2021 book on climate

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Michael E. Mann’s book was very well balanced and in my opinion, empowering. It provides evidence on the global state with regard to our climate in a manner which is needed in so many other media forms. It brings attention to the crisis, but instead of crushing any hope has logical answers and evidence which is encouraging for the future. As the book states, “Agency” to change the future, giving a rebuttal to apathy and the just do nothing approach because we’re screwed either way. Inaction is the biggest threat.

I myself am an ecologist in Australia, it’s a role which wears heavy on the sole, doom and gloom at times have crippled me. This book has done one of the best jobs in allowing me to regain some composure and keep doing the work that I do.

Courageous

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Love this audiobook. Educational, entertaining, inspiring. Fascinating insights into the tactics of climate change denial, delay and doomism. But also a call to action and a message of hope and optimism. Brilliantly narrated by Tim Campbell this is essential and enjoyable listening.

Gripping and Inspiring

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This is an important book! It clearly communicates the case for optimism and agency in addressing the climate crisis. However, I do wish a narrator with some understanding of the issues had been chosen. This one does not know how to pronounce Greta Thunberg.

Review

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I liked the quality of research and references, it’s a credible book. But. If you’re already aware that big business, established power systems, use propaganda to retain power, well, not sure why you need to read this. And that applies to both sides of the so-called climate debate.

Could’ve been an email

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