What do you think?
Rate this book
Facing the Climate Emergency, Second Edition: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth
Overwhelmed by climate anxiety? Transform your angst into action to become the hero humanity needs
A lifeline for those suffering from climate anxiety, Facing the Climate Emergency combines expertise in clinical psychology and disruptive climate activism to help readers transform their fear and grief into courage and heroism.
The second edition of this beloved, radical self-help book provides:
An updated analysis of the context of the climate movement including COVID-19, the hunger crisis, growing political unrest, and more An unflinching analysis of the accelerating impacts of climate change and what they mean for each of us, personally Concrete strategies for tackling climate anxiety, including welcoming painful feelings and using them to catalyze change Inspiring profiles of ordinary people sounding the alarm by gluing themselves to priceless works of art, blocking transportation corridors, and shutting down fossil fuel infrastructure Resources, exercises for self-reflection, and an invitation to the Climate Awakening, a global virtual climate emotions platform. Featuring a foreword by visionary filmmaker and philanthropist Adam McKay, Facing the Climate Emergency takes a deep dive into why disruptive grassroots activism is the fastest, most cost-effective path to transformative change.
Whether you're drawn to the front lines of high stakes, non-violent direct action, or prefer to play a supporting role, this guide will help you combat the forces of climate denial and discover your own power in the face of the greatest planetary crisis.
1st EDITION AWARDS
SILVER 2021 Living Now Book Awards - Green Living SILVER 2020 Nautilus Book Awards: Rising to the Moment 2020
A lifeline for those suffering from climate anxiety, Facing the Climate Emergency combines expertise in clinical psychology and disruptive climate activism to help readers transform their fear and grief into courage and heroism.
The second edition of this beloved, radical self-help book provides:
An updated analysis of the context of the climate movement including COVID-19, the hunger crisis, growing political unrest, and more An unflinching analysis of the accelerating impacts of climate change and what they mean for each of us, personally Concrete strategies for tackling climate anxiety, including welcoming painful feelings and using them to catalyze change Inspiring profiles of ordinary people sounding the alarm by gluing themselves to priceless works of art, blocking transportation corridors, and shutting down fossil fuel infrastructure Resources, exercises for self-reflection, and an invitation to the Climate Awakening, a global virtual climate emotions platform. Featuring a foreword by visionary filmmaker and philanthropist Adam McKay, Facing the Climate Emergency takes a deep dive into why disruptive grassroots activism is the fastest, most cost-effective path to transformative change.
Whether you're drawn to the front lines of high stakes, non-violent direct action, or prefer to play a supporting role, this guide will help you combat the forces of climate denial and discover your own power in the face of the greatest planetary crisis.
1st EDITION AWARDS
SILVER 2021 Living Now Book Awards - Green Living SILVER 2020 Nautilus Book Awards: Rising to the Moment 2020
- GenresEnvironment
154 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2023
5 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 28, 2023
This book is not only good, but essential for anyone in the climate struggle, it feels fresh, encouraging and real. I enjoyed its agile style and a straightforward messaging. It’s a game changer for any climate advocate.
November 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ Read this in one sitting! I’m on a plane writing this so my review is longer, but the TLDR is I liked this book and its framing of the climate emergency in comparison to historical emergencies and social movements, but I didn’t enjoy the discussions of climate psychology and activism as much as I was expecting to. I’d still recommend the book as an approachable and important wake-up call!
I really appreciated and identified with the book’s proposal that the climate movement should focus on “two core demands: 1) zero emissions and drawdown at emergency speed, and restoration of the biosphere, as these are the building blocks of life and necessary for our collective survival; 2) provision of food and housing for everyone in the world, including climate refugees, as these are the building blocks of a healthy and dignified life.” In essence, Margaret explains that there is no future stability without climate stability; climate change is interrelated with food and housing security, economic conditions like inflation, migration, etc.
One of the central points of the book is the need for people to act as if we’re in an emergency (because we are). Margaret states numerous times that the majority of us - in the U.S. and internationally - recognize the state of the climate emergency, but we don’t act as if we’re in an emergency. Her call to action hinges on the phenomenon of pluralistic ignorance, wherein people assess and react to situations based on the reactions of the people around them, particularly leaders. Thus, Margaret claims we need to act as if we’re in an emergency both because it’s true and because that mentality will influence more people around us to also recognize and react to our climate emergency.
Margaret discusses the potential for reacting to the climate emergency by discussing historical emergencies, primarily WW2 and Americans’ nation-wide, “all hands on deck” mentality. Combined with the New Deal, Margaret explains that this type of extreme and all-encompassing reaction is thus doable and needs to be replicated for our current climate crisis. She also mentions many other movements that inspired similar, but not as extreme reactions, like the Civil Rights Movement, the Velvet Revolution, and the reaction to the AIDS epidemic. Margaret explains that, by acknowledging our current state as an emergency, we can react as we have to historic crises.
Finally, Margaret discusses the psychological impacts of recognizing the climate emergency (also one of the focuses of the book, but the part that was the least interesting to me lol). While I found this section a bit more boring and fluffy, I appreciated her discussion of grief and sadness for our planet, but that through grief we’re able to acknowledge reality and “find a way forward that is based on an accurate perception of reality. When we refuse to grieve what we have lost, we lose the opportunity to celebrate and honor what we love.” In other words, she says to “feel the feelings” without letting the fear and sadness keep you from engaging and acting on the feelings.
I really appreciated and identified with the book’s proposal that the climate movement should focus on “two core demands: 1) zero emissions and drawdown at emergency speed, and restoration of the biosphere, as these are the building blocks of life and necessary for our collective survival; 2) provision of food and housing for everyone in the world, including climate refugees, as these are the building blocks of a healthy and dignified life.” In essence, Margaret explains that there is no future stability without climate stability; climate change is interrelated with food and housing security, economic conditions like inflation, migration, etc.
One of the central points of the book is the need for people to act as if we’re in an emergency (because we are). Margaret states numerous times that the majority of us - in the U.S. and internationally - recognize the state of the climate emergency, but we don’t act as if we’re in an emergency. Her call to action hinges on the phenomenon of pluralistic ignorance, wherein people assess and react to situations based on the reactions of the people around them, particularly leaders. Thus, Margaret claims we need to act as if we’re in an emergency both because it’s true and because that mentality will influence more people around us to also recognize and react to our climate emergency.
Margaret discusses the potential for reacting to the climate emergency by discussing historical emergencies, primarily WW2 and Americans’ nation-wide, “all hands on deck” mentality. Combined with the New Deal, Margaret explains that this type of extreme and all-encompassing reaction is thus doable and needs to be replicated for our current climate crisis. She also mentions many other movements that inspired similar, but not as extreme reactions, like the Civil Rights Movement, the Velvet Revolution, and the reaction to the AIDS epidemic. Margaret explains that, by acknowledging our current state as an emergency, we can react as we have to historic crises.
Finally, Margaret discusses the psychological impacts of recognizing the climate emergency (also one of the focuses of the book, but the part that was the least interesting to me lol). While I found this section a bit more boring and fluffy, I appreciated her discussion of grief and sadness for our planet, but that through grief we’re able to acknowledge reality and “find a way forward that is based on an accurate perception of reality. When we refuse to grieve what we have lost, we lose the opportunity to celebrate and honor what we love.” In other words, she says to “feel the feelings” without letting the fear and sadness keep you from engaging and acting on the feelings.
November 29, 2023
I just read this book for the second time, and I found it more interesting than I did the first. It speaks to many different kinds of readers, including those already deeply involved in climate activism, as well as those who hadn't considered it. I believe that this book will become increasingly useful and essential as the effects of the climate crisis worsen, and people's emotional suffering increases. Salamon helps us realize how much we are already suffering, and details the ways in which we are coping with this pain.
I recommend this book to psychotherapists, in particular, to help them become aware of the psychological mechanisms involved in our responses to the climate crisis, and so they have a tool to help their patients navigate this challenging terrain. I also recommend it to anyone wondering what to do about climate change.
I recommend this book to psychotherapists, in particular, to help them become aware of the psychological mechanisms involved in our responses to the climate crisis, and so they have a tool to help their patients navigate this challenging terrain. I also recommend it to anyone wondering what to do about climate change.
December 7, 2025
really appreciated that this focused entirely on solutions rather than talking about the problem and tacking a call to action at the end. the mental health lens was also very useful in recognizing why people are so reluctant to act on climate change — it’s not because most people don’t believe there’s a problem but because their overwhelm at the scale of the issue causes ignorance and indifference. the “steps” she outlines are progressive so the later steps are more relevant for those already engaged in the climate space. it feels ironic to say this book felt “realistic” because to so many people this emergency mode might feel excessive but we do desperately need an emergency response and it felt good to hear an author say that so plainly
February 13, 2026
Well, this book covers so many aspects of the climate, from emotions to ways to discuss the climate emergency w/ people. It can be a lot to deal with as the more you learn, the more stressful or disturbing it can be. Since the author comes at this from a psychological point of view, it really makes you see things differently. Not being paralyzed by the issue is key. Too many people don't think they can make a difference but everyone can. You just have to figure out one thing. I don't think you have to do everything to make change, she points out various ways that you can make a difference. We all need to do something. It's a pretty short & understandable book. So check it out & share.
November 16, 2025
It was definitely a good read! Some parts of it felt a tad propagandistic, but I think that’s just in the persuasive nature of the author’s main message.
The book truly highlights what’s important about the future of our planet, but gives us ways to go about making change and help—as the title suggests—face the climate emergency.
I’d highly suggest reading this if you’re worried about climate change and even those who think climate change isn’t that big of a deal. Also would recommend for anyone that needs ideas for how to address the emergency.
The book truly highlights what’s important about the future of our planet, but gives us ways to go about making change and help—as the title suggests—face the climate emergency.
I’d highly suggest reading this if you’re worried about climate change and even those who think climate change isn’t that big of a deal. Also would recommend for anyone that needs ideas for how to address the emergency.
October 20, 2023
This book speaks directly to the soul. If you have been battling or denying climate dread, this is your portal to move through it and reach a place where you can bravely face, tell, and act upon, the truth about the climate.
August 30, 2023
Excellent! A guidebook for feeling climate feelings and stepping up to becoming a climate hero. You should read it and become a climate hero.
June 11, 2024
This book more so than some other climate psychology books has a helpful grounding tone that allows space for personal and collective growth on a physically finite planet.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews