The New Global Possible - by Ani Dasgupta (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"A compelling and hopeful reminder that change is not only within our grasp--it is already happening."
--Jane Goodall

"A must-read for anyone looking for hope and optimism at a critical point in history."
--John Kerry

Global environmental leader Ani Dasgupta takes an honest look at lagging climate action and maps out what can be done to rebuild hope for the future.

In 2015, world leaders came together in Paris and signed an agreement to save the planet. Ten years later, we have made little progress on the ground, and the climate crisis is worse than ever. We've mostly figured out what we need to do, but not how to get it done--and time is running out.

In this groundbreaking new book, World Resources Institute President and CEO Ani Dasgupta explores how to orchestrate change at speed and scale. How do we get countries to keep working together on climate action when multilateralism is declining? How do we harness technological innovation to protect nature, rather than destroy it? How do we dismantle entrenched power structures and rapidly transition to a clean, resilient economy?

Based on conversations with more than one hundred leaders around the world, The New Global Possible weaves together stories of unusual partnerships, collaborative leadership, and lessons learned from failure. Mining the rich history of the climate movement, Dasgupta defines the narrow path to a hopeful future--one requiring all of our collective focus and determination--and offers a radical new practice for orchestrating change for good.

Review Quotes

"By showing how local action creates systemic change, the book offers readers inspiration and a roadmap toward a more equitable and sustainable future."
--Gloria Walton, President and CEO of The Solutions Project

"Readers daunted by the scale of the climate emergency will find much stimulating food for thought here. . . a wide-ranging, ambitious call to action."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Ani Dasgupta's The New Global Possible arrives as a beacon of stubborn optimism and clear-eyed realism. More than just another call to action, it is a masterful exploration of how change actually happens--a well-researched argument and an eloquent guidebook for the necessary transformation ahead."
-Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, cofounder of Global Optimism

"In a world crowded with climate headlines and half-formed promises, The New Global Possible does something rare: It focuses on the how."
--Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International

"Eye-opening. . . this book provides a needed spark to reignite collective action for a safer future for ourselves and our planet."
--Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, German Federal Foreign Office

"Gives readers a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's leading environmentalists. . . captivating and, above all, hopeful. A must-read."
--Jeremy Rifkin, author of Planet Aqua: Rethinking Our Home in the Universe

"The journey is long, but Ani Dasgupta's The New Global Possible shares powerful stories that ignite hope and determination, sowing the seeds for the transformations our planet urgently needs."
--Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships, World Resources Institute

"Through compelling stories and clear analysis, Ani demonstrates that a sustainable and thriving future is within our reach . . . Every CEO should read this book, as should anyone committed to building a better future for both people and planet."
--Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group (IKEA)

"The New Global Possible tells compelling stories of positive results and lays out the critical framework necessary for accelerating solutions. A must-read for all sectors--multilaterals, corporate, civil society, cities--engaged in advancing meaningful climate action that creates equity across the planet."
--Frances Beinecke, President Emerita, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

"A compelling and hopeful reminder that change is not only within our grasp--it is already happening."
--Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace

"A new model of growth is in our hands. . . Ani Dasgupta's valuable book sets out what we have to do, and in particular, shows both the centrality and the feasibility of international collaboration."
--Lord Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government and Chair of the Global School of Sustainability and the Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics

"A pragmatic roadmap for corporate leaders to align their strategies with the principles of equity and low-carbon development, unlocking the immense economic potential of a greener global economy."
--Jamshyd Godrej, Chair, Godrej Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

"Ani Dasgupta offers a powerful and necessary vision in The New Global Possible. At a time when the world needs leadership and action, this provides bold solutions and a clear path toward a sustainable future. An essential read for those who refuse to accept the status quo and are ready to transform the world."
--Iván Duque, former President of Colombia

"Dasgupta masterfully highlights the untold stories of progress and shares invaluable lessons that chart a bold and actionable blueprint to follow for the clean energy transition. A must-read for anyone looking for hope and optimism at a critical point in history."
--John F. Kerry, 68th US Secretary of State

"Even climate veterans will discover fresh insights in these pages. Most critically, Dasgupta offers clear-eyed analysis of how businesses, governments, and citizens can realign efforts to achieve the urgent progress required--including both high-level principles and specific, actionable measures. Challenging times lie ahead, but this book can help facilitate the necessary conversations to help get the world on track."
--Justin Worland, senior correspondent, TIME

"In this decisive decade, Ani Dasgupta offers us more than a roadmap--he gives us a compass. This is a rare book: a blend of grounded realism and moral courage, rich with practical insights and vivid stories that show we can build a better future--if we act together, and act now."
--Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever

"It's one thing to talk about needing a solution, but something else to identify the data and experiences needed to make it happen. . . At each step, Ani looks to pair insights with an optimistic view of the future to motivate action. This book adds to these ongoing efforts."
--Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard

"The path to a sustainable future has many twists and turns, driven by the interplay of politics, technology, economics, finance, and citizen voice. This terrific book captures this exciting journey beautifully, shedding light on the setbacks as well as the triumphs, and explaining what causes the difference."
--Sir Andrew Steer, Georgetown University and the London School of Economics

"This timely book reveals through real-world examples, many drawn from WRI experience, that it's possible to reverse the current trajectory toward environmental disaster."
--Robert Repetto, editor of The Global Possible

"With his new book, The New Global Possible, Ani Dasgupta has proven himself to be a hopeful realist, an honest broker, a solid partner, and a visionary leader."
--Gina McCarthy, first White House National Climate Advisor and former US EPA Administrator

About the Author

Ani Dasgupta is President and CEO of World Resources Institute (WRI), where he spearheads global efforts to drive systemic change across climate, nature, and human development. Dasgupta is a widely recognized leader in climate policy and finance, sustainable cities, and poverty alleviation. His work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME, and many global media outlets. He took the helm at WRI in 2021 after seven years as Global Director of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. Prior to joining WRI, Dasgupta spent two decades at the World Bank. Dasgupta grew up in Delhi, India. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, and has two children.

Christiana Figueres is an internationally recognized leader on climate change. She was Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010-2016, successfully directing international negotiations that culminated in the historic Paris Agreement of 2015. Together with Tom Rivett-Carnac, she is a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, a purpose-driven enterprise focused on social and environmental change, host of the podcast Outrage + Optimism, and coauthor of The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis.