New Climate War: the fight to take back our planet

One of The Observer's 'Thirty books to help us understand the world'

Recycle. Fly less. Eat less meat. These are some of the ways that we've been told we can save the planet. But are individuals really to blame for the climate crisis?

Seventy-one per cent of global emissions come from the same hundred companies, but fossil-fuel companies have taken no responsibility themselves. Instead, they have waged a thirty-year campaign to blame individuals for climate change. The result has been disastrous for our planet.

In The New Climate War, renowned scientist Michael E. 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 petro-states - and outlines a plan for forcing our governments and corporations to wake up and make real change.

Review:

'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 fuelling 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

'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 of The Planetary Society

'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, and 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

'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 civilisation we have. Mann is its resolute champion once again.'

-- Paul Hawken, founder of Project Drawdown

'The New Climate War is an insightful treatise on how the polluting fossil fuel industry and their right-wing allies have deflected the blame for the climate crisis. The book charts a common sense course for collective actions to force government and corporations to make real solutions to the climate crisis - an existential threat to humanity and the planet.'

-- Robert D. Bullard, professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University

'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?

'One of the world's leading climate scientists embarks on a journey into the minds of climate change deniers to try to understand their motivations and strategies ... Blunt, lucid ... Consistently displaying his comprehensive command of climate science and the attendant politics ... An expert effectively debunks the false narrative of denialism and advocates communal resistance to fossil fuels.'

* Kirkus Reviews *

'This book is a must read not just for people currently working to address climate change but also for those who are new to the climate fight, the latter of whom will learn much about past challenges, struggles, and attacks that have been aimed at climate champions.'

* Science Magazine *

'An engrossing mix of footnoted history, acerbic political commentary and personal anecdotes.'

* Science News *

'Punchy and illuminating ... a bracing read-both eye-opening and even fun.'

* BookPage *

'The New Climate War is an informed, opinionated guide to an ever-changing conflict.'

* Shelf Awareness *

'Mann's call to get serious about climate change couldn't be more timely.'

-- Richard Schiffman * New Scientist *