The Future We Choose - by Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A cautionary but optimistic book about the world's changing climate and the fate of humanity, from two of the architects of the 2015 Paris Agreement. - "One of the most inspiring books I've ever read." --Yuval Harari

Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac outline two possible scenarios for our planet. In one, they describe what life on Earth will be like by 2050 if we fail to meet the Paris Agreement's climate targets. In the other, they lay out what it will be like to live in a regenerative world that has net-zero emissions. They argue for confronting the climate crisis head-on, with determination and optimism. The Future We Choose presents our options and tells us what governments, corporations, and each of us can, and must, do to fend off disaster.

Review Quotes

"This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read." --Yuval Harari

"The Paris Agreement was a landmark for humankind. In this timely and important book, two of the principal creators of that agreement show us why and how we can now realize its promise. I hope it is widely read and acted on." --Jane Goodall

"Figueres and Rivett-Carnac dare to tell us how our response can create a better, fairer world." --Naomi Klein

"There could not be a more important book." --Richard Branson

"A book that shepherds climate activism from changing mental states to changing the world. . . . Th e authors recommend a mindset for climate activism that rests on three attitudes: radical optimism, endless abundance, and radical regeneration." --Forbes

"Inspiring. . . . A practically minded manifesto for personal action in the face of climate change." --Kirkus Reviews

"The book takes a hard look at the frightening realities of climate change but concludes that humanity can still deal with this threat. Moreover, the book presents the existential challenge of climate change as a unique opportunity to build a more just world and to make ourselves better people. Most importantly, the book adopts a very practical approach and suggests ten concrete actions that each of us can take in order to create a better future for all the residents of planet Earth. I hope we all take this message to heart." --Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling author of Sapiens and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

"This could be the most important wake- up call of our times." --Klaus Schwab, CEO, World Economic Forum

About the Author

CHRISTIANA FIGUERES and TOM RIVETT-CARNAC are cohosts of the leading climate change podcast, Outrage + Optimism, and are cofounders of Global Optimism, an organization dedicated to changing narratives and beliefs and inspiring governments, companies, and citizens to protect what they love from the damages of the climate crisis. Figueres is the former executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where Rivett-Carnac served as her political strategist. They are known for a unique form of collaborative diplomacy, which led to the unanimous signing of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change by 195 countries.