The Climate Majority

(Paperback)

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The Climate Majority is the first book to investigate climate apathy, to describe how it prevents action to stop climate change and to show how it can be beaten with an approach developed for political campaigns.

Leo Barasi argues that dangerous climate change will only be prevented if the majority of peopleincluding those who aren't environmentalistsare persuaded of the need to limit emissions. He applies his policy and campaign experience to show that politicizing climate change makes it more difficult to build consensus, particularly among people who are currently apathetic.

This is one of few books to focus on public opinion and climate change and it attempts to reveal what people really think by drawing examples and evidence of from the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada.

In a time of growing nationalism in many developed countriesand right-wing negativity towards the need for meaningful actionThe Climate Majority offers a new way of understanding what can be done within the system, rather than despite it. In an era of political setbacks for sustainability, we need new hope and new tools. Anyone who cares about climate change can draw on the lessons in this book to help build a climate majority.

Leo Barasi is a freelance consultant on climate change policy and campaigns. He works with charities, political candidates, and private companies to help them understand and change public opinion. He writes regularly for the New Statesman, openDemocracy, and Climate Home.

Reviews

Essential reading for anyone who wants to know what it will take to fight back against populist nationalism to prevent dangerous climate change. Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees; Apathy is, arguably, the greatest barrier to action on climate change. Barasi's book shines a much-needed light on this oft-forgotten topic and, crucially, suggests a compelling way forward. Leo Hickman, editor of Carbon Brief; Explains how climate action can be achieved by awakening that large sector of society for whom apathy is the sole obstacle to constructive engagement. Michael E. Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science, Penn State University, and co-author of The Madhouse Effect.

Author Bio

As an expert in public opinion, campaigns and climate change policy, Leo Barasi is uniquely able to show why climate apathy matters and how it can be beaten. A climate and energy policy analyst and experienced campaigner with a background in opinion polls, he has worked with political candidates, charities, campaigns and private companies to help them understand and shape public opinion. He writes regularly for the New Statesman, openDemocracy and ClimateHome.