Recent news on climate change has been particularly gloomy. Major election results are likely to have negative ramifications on the fight to address climate change. In all likelihood this is the first year that global temperatures will temporarily exceed 1.5C warming. This year's annual COP event is once again being hosted by an oil-producing nation, with negotiations likely to be heavily influenced by lobbying efforts from the fossil fuel industry.
But zooming out to see the longer-term picture offers us hope and a renewed sense of optimism. For those grappling with climate anxiety, I recommend two publications that can help in reframing your perspective, and nurturing a more positive outlook for our planet’s future.
Not The End of The World - by Hannah Ritchie
Firstly, Hannah Ritchie's Not the End of the World brings a refreshingly optimistic perspective. She challenges the prevailing narrative of inevitable environmental decline, suggesting instead that humanity has a unique chance to reverse course and create a sustainable, thriving planet. This book isn’t about ignoring the urgent challenges we face but rather reframing them with a sense of “urgent optimism”. Ritchie’s data-driven arguments inspire hope by showcasing real progress across sectors, with a focus on tangible, actionable solutions.
Ritchie understands the paralysing effects of climate fear and the emotional toll it can take, especially on younger generations facing a flood of dire predictions. She argues that fear-driven narratives can backfire, causing people to feel helpless and detached from taking action. Instead, Ritchie advocates for a mindset of urgent optimism. By emphasising the positive changes already happening, she instils a sense of agency and hope, reinforcing that a sustainable future is within our reach.
Energy & Transportation - The Remarkable Progress So Far
Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are a primary cause of climate change, and countries worldwide are accelerating their shift to renewable energy. Ritchie highlights the impressive progress in nations like the UK and Denmark, where coal is nearly absent from their energy mix. Globally, renewable energy made up 29% of electricity production by 2021, with costs of solar, wind, and battery storage plummeting — solar power, for instance, has decreased by nearly 89% since 2010.
This trend has made renewables not just viable, but now highly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, pushing new investments toward green energy. Ritchie argues that this rapid progress demonstrates the feasibility of a full-scale energy shift, given sustained commitment and investment. Indeed a recent analysis by the Economist indicates that if the cost of solar energy were to continue on its current trajectory, it could be transformational for society.
In transportation, Ritchie is optimistic about the surge in electric vehicles (EVs) and advancements in public transit systems. Global EV sales doubled between 2020 to 2021, and with the cost of EV batteries dropping by nearly 90% over the past decade, electric cars are more affordable than ever. In Norway market penetration has gone from 5% to 90% of new vehicle sales over the space of a decade, due to well designed government incentives (see OECD report). In China new energy vehicle sales are now getting close to 50% of total sales. Ethiopia has become the first country to ban the import of non-electric vehicles altogether (driven by economic reasons). Aside from EVs, cities worldwide are also adopting pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, reducing the reliance on personal vehicles altogether.
Long-haul trucking and aviation, present unique challenges due to their energy demands; promising innovations include hydrogen fuel cells, which offer a potential alternative to traditional fuel sources. With the rapid pace of battery advancements, commercial electric planes could become a reality sooner than we think — small electric planes are already in the skies today, as demonstrated by companies like Beta Technologies of Vermont, USA.
Materials and Sustainable Production
The materials sector plays a crucial role in both the causes and solutions for climate change. The production of materials like cement, steel, and plastics accounts for roughly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Advances in material recycling, energy-efficient production methods, and innovations such as carbon capture technology are key to decarbonising this sector. Numerous start-ups are developing new technologies to address some of these challenges – examples include Reaforma and its efforts to decarbonise cement production, and Sweden's HYBRIT venture that is aiming to deliver fossil-fuel-free steel to the market by 2026.
Ritchie points to efforts in “circular economy” approaches, where materials are recycled, repurposed, and reused, reducing demand for new resources and cutting emissions. Companies and governments alike are implementing these circular systems to improve sustainability across industries and meet net-zero goals.
A newer concept gaining attention is “super-circularity.” Technologies like solar panels are becoming increasingly efficient in their use of materials, so reclaiming materials from an old, expired panel could potentially be enough to produce multiple new panels. Thanks to these advancements, this could be possible even without 100% full recovery of all materials from each panel.
Debunking Myths and Media Narratives
The book also aims to address misleading environmental claims, such as the alarming but unsupported idea that we have “60 harvests left". Such statements can distort public perception, creating a sense of panic without scientific grounding. Ritchie advocates for a balanced perspective, urging people to focus on incremental improvements and local successes that show real progress in environmental health. This realistic yet hopeful outlook emphasises that practical actions — taken together — can make a substantial difference and contribute to meaningful change.
Project Regeneration - by Paul Hawken
My second recommendation is Project Regeneration by Paul Hawken. This book proposes a transformative approach to the climate crisis, emphasising "Regeneration" — a philosophy that goes beyond merely addressing environmental issues to build a sustainable, equitable future. It argues for putting life at the centre of every action and decision, and highlights the importance and power of individual action — “from the planet’s point of view, there is no difference between a climate denier and someone who understands the problem but does nothing”.
Uniting Climate Action with Justice & Biodiversity
This framework integrates climate action, social justice, biodiversity, and human dignity, aiming for a profound shift in how we approach planetary health. The authors argue that ending the climate crisis by 2030 is feasible if humanity collectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 45-50%. This would mark a critical turning point, reversing our current upward emissions trend and setting us on a sustainable path. However, they clarify that addressing global warming is a century-long commitment that extends beyond 2030, requiring ongoing efforts to tackle deeper environmental and societal challenges.
Restoring Nature: A Shift from Combative to Healing Strategies
A key aspect of this regenerative approach is its shift from traditional combat-oriented strategies to actions that actively restore and enhance natural systems. Unlike approaches that focus on what must be fought or reduced, regeneration places humanity within natural systems, promoting actions that build resilience and support life. By advocating for restorative measures — like soil health restoration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable agriculture — this model frames the climate challenge not as a battle to be won, but as a healing process. This approach not only addresses environmental needs but aligns with broader human aspirations, transforming climate action into an inclusive, life-affirming mission.
Empowering Individual and Collective Action for Impact
The book also speaks to a common frustration: individuals and organisations often feel uncertain about what they can do, questioning whether their contributions are significant enough. Project Regeneration reframes this doubt, emphasising that individual actions are essential and meaningful within a collective effort. By focusing on regeneration, it encourages people to come together through initiatives that resonate with their daily lives, building an inclusive movement for positive impact. Ultimately, the book suggests that regenerative principles are already taking root worldwide, positioning the climate crisis as an opportunity for unity and resilience — where each action contributes to a future of shared responsibility, renewal, and ecological well-being.
Conclusion
These authors provide a powerful counter-narrative to the doomsday predictions that often dominate environmental discourse. They put an emphasis on data, progress, and actionable solutions, to provide a blueprint for a future that is not just survivable but thriving. For anyone feeling the weight of climate anxiety, these books offer a path to hope and a reminder of humanity’s resilience and ability to innovate.
They inspire us to take action and reflect on the choices we make in how we lead our current life and plan for our future life. If you're ready to take meaningful steps toward that future, Planet Positive Planning offers a framework and guidance to help you design your own blueprint — a “green life and financial plan”. Start today by taking the Eco-Financial Future Quiz (it takes 5-minutes), or if you prefer just reach out to book a call. Be part of something bigger — start making a difference today!
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Further Information
If you’re inspired to read more, here are some links to these books and related resources:
Not the End of the World, Hannah Ritchie
How to be the first generation to build a sustainable planet.
Blog: Sustainability by Numbers, Hannah Ritchie
Hannah Ritchie also has a blog that explores similar themes to the book - using data and research to explore what really makes a difference.
Podcast: Solving for Climate
Hannah Ritchie joins forces with sustainability nerd Rob Stewart to unpack solutions to the climate crisis, and the innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists behind them.
Project Regeneration
Project Regeneration is not just a book, but a community focused on ending the climate crisis in one generation. Explore their newsletter, tools and resources to take action. Find out how to get involved. Donate to support their action. Visit the website to find out more.
Project Drawdown
A similar movement that provides the world's leading resource for climate solutions. Learn how you can play your part. Subscribe to their newsletter. Donate to support their action. Visit the website to find out more.
(Images are AI-generated)
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