Humans of Climate Change: A Cultural Journey to Explore Climate-Change Impacts, Solutions, and Hope

by Kaden Hogan

Climate change is not about saving Earth. So what are we fighting for? Let’s embark on a journey to find the answers. Since pre-industrial times, the Earth’s average temperature has increased by 2.1°F (1.2°C). Over the last 100 years, the global sea level has risen by about 8 in (20 cm). Do you find it hard to translate climate change figures like these to the real world? You’re not alone. The statistics and the science are always in the news, but unless your life and livelihood are affected, it’s difficult to truly appreciate the significant impact behind the numbers. Much of climate change communication focuses on high-level science and policies. This can make the topic abstract, distant, and impersonal. Researchers at Yale University found that personal stories can be much more effective in delivering climate change messages and encouraging advocacy behavior. That’s what this book is the personal stories of people around the world. The humans of climate change. From the desolate icefields of the Arctic to the lush green rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, this book will take you on a voyage of discovery. You’ll find I set out to explore and understand the impact of climate change, but ended up realizing what we are truly protecting. And it’s not the Planet. So, grab your copy, and let’s start the journey.

50% of the profit from the book in the first 6 months will be donated to a climate-change related charity!

Genres: Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2021

Reviews

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book All Humans Should Read

I absolutely adore this book! Everyone who's ever wondered what climate change statistics mean—or even whether it exists!—should read this book to have a better sense of what it means to us on a human level. Truly, this book is what the title states it is, about the humans of climate change. In the introduction, the author states this will not be a book of statistics, and it is not. As the author says, it's hard to understand how the statistics we hear about climate change truly affect the world. What does a 2-degree difference in temperature mean? So, instead of being a statistics-driven book, it looks at climate change's effects on the ground (so to speak!)... as they are happening now and what they could mean for the future. Even though the book is not driven by statistics, I love, love, love that nearly 15% of the book is references cited in the rest of the book! The book itself is broadly divided into three sections of climate change effects: rising water, warming temperatures, and wild weather. Each section has several chapters focusing on a particular place on the globe affected by the specific change. It really is a globe-hopping trip, from icy Inuit territory in the Arctic Circle to the Amazonian rainforest to the rice paddies of Vietnam. Climate change affects every continent. The author's writing style is not only easy to read but enjoyable. In each chapter, the author tries to make us understand the feel of the land (including what it is like to be there) and show us both broadly and narrowly how climate change has affected the land (and how the land struggles with important things like providing food and drink as it had done) and its people. The author does a good job showing not only where we are with climate change but what is expected to happen soon and further out. But this is not a book of doom and gloom, as the author provides “thinking points” and suggestions for how we can make changes. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the information presented. The purpose of Humans of Climate Change was to battle the constant stream of science facts and statistics that majority of the population doesn't understand. I'm not saying I don't believe the science or climate change, just that it's hard to understand. Kaden puts a collection of stories about regular people in countries directly dealing with climate change and how they are adapting or moving or whatever. It puts the information in laden terms the normal person can grasp. I especially liked how it wasn't all fire and brimstone as most climate activists portray, do this, you will die rhetoric I hear all too often. When I was taught to a write a paper, you lay out your argument, have at least three pieces of evidence, and the big one, a counter argument. Too many things today no matter what the topic or what news you watch never have a counter argument. Kaden always provided at least one counter argument or one thing that actually was helped due to the problems of climate change. Yes, some were flimsy, but they are there and it makes me trust the information put forth in the book and not evidence edited to match the argument.

I don't know if the layout on Kindle is the issue or not, but sometimes, things or quotes were thrown in one after another that were very short, but definitely seemed out of place. I also didn't like how in three chapters, the argument was that it's 1.8F degrees hotter...hotter from what exactly? There were no starting statistics to show how much was affected. If you say that the rainy season is 75 days longer, but not tell me that it went from 2 days to 75 or 100 to 175 days, that's a very big difference. Maybe it's me being nitpicky, but I would rather have it there. I didn't think the Afghanistan argument was really great. I just didn't buy into it knowing how authoritarian / dictactorships, etc. tend to exploit farming / business for the quick profit and then that's it or put people in charge who don't know anything about it. I didn't really connect it too much to climate change.

With that, I think this is a short read to really hit home. I love the counter arguments. I love that it makes me feel ok (not overwhelmed) with doing the small stuff to help. And the book brings home how climate change is definitely causing issues throughout the world whether you are a first world country or a third world country.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book from GoodReads as part of the First Reads program.

Most of the books on climate change have been one of two types. The first gives tons of statistics and points out how human activity is causing the temperature to rise and will destroy our lives if we don't immediately stop what we're doing. The other says that changes in temperature are just a normal part of the earth's cycles, and humans have nothing to do with it. I tend to agree more with the first type. This book takes a different approach than either of the others. Accepting the fact that the earth is warming, it focuses more on what people around the world are doing about it to ensure their continued survival. From the Inuit to the Vietnamese, California to Afghanistan and many others, they have found ways, often returning to traditional approaches, to ensure the survival of their culture. The book is well researched, well written, and an easy read. Whether you believe humans are responsible for climate change or not, this book is about solutions, not blame. I highly recommend it.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well documented exploration of climate change introduces a unique perspective by using culture. I loved reading about specific locations from around the world and seeing direct examples of the effects of climate change. The information is referenced in a good bibliography.

While I knew about many situations presented, reading their stories from a fresh viewpoint was educational (and terrifying to be honest. The increasing struggle of survival is something we need to address). It’s a great reminder to look beyond your small corner of the world and explore how today’s lifestyle is truly affecting others on the other end of the world. We are all connected.

[Lenora Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book, so went into the book with an open mind. The research Kaden Hogan did is amazing, and using personal stories instead of numbers and stats, etc., made the book extremely readable. Climate change will affect different peoples and cultures in different ways. In rigid patriarchal cultures, it will affect women and children the hardest. “Empowering the powerless or neglected—Indigenous peoples, women, youth, small nations, poor farmers, and slum-dwellers—leads to imaginative and effective solutions.” (Emphasis the reviewers.)

Hogan takes the reader on a world tour from the Arctic to the Mekong Delta, to India and Kenya, and all places in between. Some of the most interesting interviews/essays were on California: Fire as Friend, Fire as Foe and Kenya: the Old and the New.

The book is written in three parts of four chapters each, followed by Thinking Points for each part. I found the Thinking Points thoughtful, important, and something we can all participate in. Some have been around for quite a while, but seeing them in new words makes them seem, once again, important.

If you are a human and live on Planet Earth, I strongly urge you to buy a copy of this book. It is so easy to think to yourself there is nothing you, as an individual can really do, beyond take your own reusable bags to the grocery store, but I assure you, after reading this book, you will rethink that mindset. If we are going to save our planet and the humans on it, there are things all of us can do. It only takes 100 pennies to make a dollar. Or 10 dimes. Become a penny, become a dime.

Buy this book and read it. Buy copies of this book and give to friends and family. As Hogan says in his conclusion, “…climate change is not about saving Earth. // Earth will carry on—with or without human beings.” It is about saving humans and their cultures.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written and organized. The way it takes you on a global journey to express specific ways that climate change are affecting specific regions was very affective. Not only did it show the variety of problems, it made strong cases for how many small items get affected and build into much larger problems.

The material is well researched and documented. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how our world is changing and how every individual can truly help make a difference to make things better.

[Samarium Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Such an informative read. The Dutch, Kenyans, and the Indigenous people in California have very effective methods in addressing and preventing agricultural obstacles/disasters. This book inspires individuals to make changes that will help the environment. It is not so much about saving the planet, but to help the planet heal to ensure human survival. Earth will always endure whatever abuse we deliver but we will not survive when Earth returns the favor. Small changes make a huge impact.