Summary of the book "The Future We Choose" - By Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac

 Key Concepts in this book:

1. We are on the verge of creating an uninhabitable world unless we act immediately.
2. We can build a sustainable future, but it will necessitate significant changes in practically every aspect of our lives.
3. To solve the climate catastrophe, we must believe that it is a problem that can be solved.
4. You'll find that if you adopt an abundance and collaboration mindset, there is often enough for everyone.
5. It is not too late to restore the world's natural resources; nevertheless, we must adopt a regenerative mindset.
6. We must take bold moves forward and turn away from the past in order to create a livable world.
7. Technology can be a huge help – and may even be required to solve the climate catastrophe – but we must use it properly.
8. It's time to alter your purchasing habits.
9. To combat climate change through political action, we must seek out the truth.

Who can benefit the most from this book:

• Climate crusaders feeling hopeless about their cause.
• Anyone who wants to know how they can contribute to a sustainable world.
• Those worried about the future.

What am I getting out of it? Be motivated to select a future that is sustainable.

Today, in the year 2020, we are in the midst of a catastrophe. Planet Earth is heating up, and we're running out of time before we hit the tipping point.

Although not everyone is directly affected by climate change on a daily basis, most of us are aware that the world today is substantially different from what it was just a few decades ago: there are fewer kinds of wildlife, the seasons are warmer, and forests are burning all over the world.

If mankind is to have a fighting chance of surviving the worst effects of climate collapse, the next ten years are vital. We must lower our emissions by at least half by 2030. By 2050, we must be at net-zero emissions, which means we must not emit more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the earth can absorb naturally.

You only have two options: do something or do nothing. Whatever path we choose, our actions will have an influence on us and future generations. Now is the time to act.

• You'll learn how hot our globe could grow by 2050.
• How to stop viewing life as a zero-sum game.
• And why nonviolent protests are so crucial in this summary.

1. We are on the verge of creating an uninhabitable world unless we act immediately.

Consider the following scenario. It's morning, and you've just gotten out of bed and checked your phone. Every day, you do this to check the air quality report to see if it's safe to go outside, not to respond to text messages. Although it appears to be a clear, sunny day via the window, your app indicates that air pollution and ozone levels are high. At all times, you must wear your specifically made face mask.

In addition, you'll have to deal with the extreme heat. There is nothing that can be done to change the fact that the planet is considerably hotter now than it was when you were a child.

It is the year 2050. Many parts of the world are projected to be uninhabitable in another 50 years.

The important message here is that we are on the verge of creating an uninhabitable world unless we act immediately.

Even if we can limit greenhouse gas emissions and keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, we'll end up living on this hypothetical planet. In other words, regardless of whether we meet the major goal of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, this is our future. And once we've reached a point where we can't control the warming, new tipping points will emerge.

One of the most serious issues is the melting of the Arctic ice sheets. The melting of this white ice, which is responsible for reflecting a substantial portion of the sun's heat away from the earth, is terrible. Sea levels are rising, and without the ice, we are becoming even more vulnerable to rising temperatures.

Flooding is also a result of rising sea levels. Coastal communities around the world have had their infrastructure destroyed, and inland places have dried up as a result of the flooding. Heatwaves turn once-green areas into deserts, and many locations can no longer support any form of life.

Hurricanes and tropical storms, for example, are more common than they have ever been. Millions of people are killed or displaced as a result of the catastrophe, resulting in a catastrophic refugee crisis.

Even the cities that have survived are no longer attractive places to live. Summer temperatures in Paris routinely reach 44 degrees Celsius, or 111 degrees Fahrenheit. And that's not even half of it. For 45 days of the year, temperatures in central India reach 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit).

Everyone is suffering greatly, and many people are outraged at former leaders and individuals who refused to act in the face of the climate crisis.

2. We can build a sustainable future, but it will necessitate significant changes in practically every aspect of our lives.

Consider an alternate future scenario. On a typical day in 2050, you wake up and go outside to breathe in the fresh, damp air. Your city is densely forested, with gardens on every rooftop and every formerly abandoned site transformed into a shady grove or children's play area.

Forest cover is at 50% on a global scale. There aren't many broad open plains left, and cities are now better connected than ever before thanks to modern electric railways. The days of travelling from the east to the west coast in the United States are long gone; instead, you may take a high-speed bullet train from New York City to Los Angeles.

The main lesson here is that we can build a sustainable future, but it will necessitate huge changes in practically every aspect of our lives.

We've had to make some significant modifications to ensure our long-term viability. The first has been to reduce our carbon emissions by half every decade beginning in 2020, with the goal of reaching net-zero by 2050. We now have a fighting chance of remaining below the critical 1.5 degree Celsius global warming barrier and avoiding the worst consequences of climate change.

It hasn't been easy, and many of the things we took for granted have shifted. On the roadways, for example, there are no longer any vehicles with high-polluting internal combustion engines, and we no longer burn any fossil fuels because we have moved fully to electric automobiles and renewable energy.

For emerging countries, new technology and energy production methods have been particularly crucial. A billion people in distant locations were still without power at the turn of the twenty-first century. They can now manufacture their own, which will allow them to better education, healthcare, and sanitation.

Cultures have altered over the world, with individuals becoming increasingly focused on their local communities. Food is purchased in bulk by neighbourhoods, which sign up for weekly deliveries from local farms. They share the food, but because it is costly, most localities also have communal gardens where they cultivate their own crops. People's cumulative rates of heart attack, stroke, and other illnesses have all decreased as a result of their adoption of healthy, plant-based diets.

This bright and livable 2050 future might be ours if we take the proper steps now, but we must act quickly. That won't happen unless we first adjust our mindset, as we'll see in the following concept.

3. To solve the climate catastrophe, we must believe that it is a problem that can be solved.

Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? The truth is that your response might not matter all that much. That's because, according to psychology, you may improve your outlook on the future by questioning your present thought patterns and replacing them with more positive ones.

All of this indicates that you may convince yourself into being an optimist, even if you're already a pessimist! And we all need a healthy dose of hope to address the climate issue and the problems it offers.

Many of us fall into the trap of seeing climate change as inescapable — something we can't do anything about. However, this pessimistic outlook is not only founded on erroneous assumptions, but it is also reckless.

The main point here is that in order to tackle the climate catastrophe, we must fully understand that it is a problem that can be solved.

The news, figures and predictions about climate change throughout the world can be depressing. It can help to remember some of the wonderful advances we've already accomplished when you're feeling particularly down about the world's prospects. In the United Kingdom, for example, clean energy now accounts for more than half of all energy use. And the situation is considerably better in Costa Rica, which is completely free of pollution!

At a personal level, lowering emissions will not have the same impact as large-scale, country-wide reductions, but don't let that deter you – every reduction is a step toward the broader objective.

Optimism, on the other hand, isn't always easy. When matters have gotten tight, even the authors haven't always been able to keep a positive mood. In reality, author Christiana Figueres was asked in 2010 during a news conference in Bonn, Germany, if she thought a global climate deal would ever be achievable. "Not in my lifetime," she replied.

The author realized her attitude was incorrect as soon as she said those words. She would be accepting an unlivable future if she gave up. She went out of that news conference resolved to become obstinately positive and to believe in a better future so ardently that others would believe in it as well.

And it was successful. Figueres' optimism was the germ – and the first step – on her way to becoming the worldwide leader in the battle against climate change, which culminated in the 2015 Paris Agreement. No matter how difficult things appear to be, we must maintain steadfast optimism.

4. You'll find that if you adopt an abundance and collaboration mindset, there is often enough for everyone.

Consider waking up on any given weekday morning. You're awaiting the arrival of your bus or train to take you to work. When it finally comes to a stop, you rush to board the cramped vehicle. What are your thoughts?

You're undoubtedly feeling a sense of urgency — you have to obtain the greatest seat possible, no matter what it takes!

In contemporary society, there is a strong sense of competitiveness. We tend to view everything in life as a zero-sum game in which if you don't win, you lose. What if, instead of feeling "lost" because you didn't get a bus or train seat, you "win" because you ended up having a nice chat with someone nearby?

The main point here is that if you can adopt an abundance and collaboration mindset, you'll find that there's usually plenty for everyone.

The worldview of a zero-sum game is uninspired. Not only that, but it generates scarcity where none previously existed. Earth's resources, like bus seats, aren't all scarce.

Consider Tucson, Arizona, which receives only 28 cm of rain each year. Water is anticipated to be in short supply due to the lack of rain. As a result, the local populace has hurriedly drained as much water out of the ground as possible throughout the years.

The punchline, of course, is that Tucson utilizes less than 28 centimetres of groundwater every year. There is more than enough water to go around, despite the sense of scarcity. And by overreacting to the prospect of scarcity, the people of Tucson have exacerbated their predicament.

In other regions of the world, where there is true scarcity, resources are depleting, and there are fewer wildlife species and forest cover than there was just 50 years ago, the situation is a little different.

The authors propose that we embrace an attitude of abundance and change our attention toward collaboration to address this. Recognizing that there are many ways to meet everyone's needs so that we may all "win" is what abundance means. After all, if one side "wins" in this climate fight - for example, if the Amazon burns — we all lose, not just the Brazilians.

5. It is not too late to restore the world's natural resources; nevertheless, we must adopt a regenerative mindset.

For millennia, the desire to achieve more has been a feature of human culture. To take a few instances, we're accustomed to continually taking — from the land, from the sea, and from the indigenous populations that have been colonized over time.

However, many of our planet's resources are finite, and we're getting close to a point where taking is no longer an option.

Now is the time to restore our resources and reconnect with nature so that future generations can enjoy the same riches that we do.

The main message is that it is not too late to restore the world's natural resources, but we must adopt a regenerative lifestyle to do so.

We already show a regenerative and caring attitude toward our friends and family in many ways; we watch out for their well-being and do our best to assist them in overcoming life's obstacles. But, oddly enough, we rarely apply the same mindset to ourselves.

You should first focus on refreshing and nourishing oneself to begin the move toward a regenerative mindset. Meditation is one of the most effective ways to achieve this, as it may help you maintain a sense of calm and become more resilient to negative news and circumstances. Don't stress if meditation isn't your thing; simply figure out what nurtures your well-being and do it on a regular basis.

It's time to focus your attention on nature once you've established this habit as a habit for yourself. In nature, regeneration is a process that allows a species or biosystem to mend and recover after being harmed by humans.

Regenerative policies have the potential to make a significant difference in our environment. Consider the populations of grey and humpback whales, for example. Commercial whaling destroyed these whale species in the nineteenth century, but since the moratorium on whaling, their numbers have nearly recovered.

Unfortunately, simply removing human pressure will not be sufficient to undo all of the harm we've caused to global ecosystems. In many cases, we'll need to actively reintroduce native species and plant trees and bushes in deforested places to rewild forests and oceans.

We may never be able to restore all of our ecosystems to their former beauty, but human survival is directly dependent on Earth's survival, which we must no longer take for granted.

6. We must take bold moves forward and turn away from the past in order to create a livable world.

The year is 2015, and the Paris Agreement negotiations are nearing their conclusion. The authors are working on the last details in their workplace. Suddenly, there's a knock at the door, and the UN Security Chief enters. He says the unthinkable: a bomb has been discovered at Le Bourget subway station, the conference's nearest stop.

At that point, the writers had to decide whether to proceed despite the risk of another bomb being put or to call everything off and risk jeopardizing their greatest hope of obtaining an international climate change deal.

They decided to go forward with the conference as planned.

The main theme is that in order to establish a livable future, we must take bold moves forward while turning away from the past.

Although your decision to combat climate change will probably not be as dramatic as the authors', there is one factor that could prevent you from establishing a new path: nostalgia. Nostalgia is a very strong emotion. It makes it tough to let go of old patterns and hinders us from working toward change.

Regrettably, nostalgia's power often seeps into politics. Many rural farmers in the United Kingdom, for example, desire to keep the countryside's historic look and fight efforts to build wind turbines on their land. They also prefer to favour Conservative Party MPs who modified planning regulations in 2015 to make wind farm construction more problematic and expensive, resulting in an 80% decline in new turbine capacity.

When it comes to the environment, we must all realize one important fact: fossil fuels have made significant contributions to human progress, but their ongoing usage is no longer sustainable.

It's possible that challenging our nostalgia will be incredibly difficult. Imagining huge changes to our way of life can bring up a lot of sadness, but if we can embrace it, it will help us construct a better future vision.

With specific goals to strive towards, the potential of a sustainable future is within our reach, no matter how far-fetched that vision may appear at the moment. After all, when President John F. Kennedy declared his objective of landing a man on the moon in 1961, few people believed it was possible – and we all know how that ended out!

7. Technology can be a huge help – and may even be required to solve the climate catastrophe – but we must use it properly.

Nature and technology don't usually mix, but technological advancements could be a valuable aid in the fight against climate change.

Consider self-driving electric vehicles. They emit fewer pollutants than regular cars, and they may reduce private ownership by allowing you to summon one like an Uber, but without the driver. Alternatives to meat include plant-based and lab-grown meats. Agriculture's impact on global emissions might be considerably reduced by shifting output from the soil to the laboratory.

Although the possibilities are limitless, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The main point is this: Technology can be a huge help – and may even be required to solve the climate catastrophe – but we must use it properly.

There are always drawbacks to technology. Governments may find it easier to track their populations with self-driving automobiles. And in Brazil, where more than 20 million people work in agriculture, a shift to lab-grown meat could result in the layoff of a large number of individuals. The idea is to use common sense.

Artificial intelligence will almost certainly play a significant role in practically every industry. One of the present downsides of renewable energy is its reliance on external conditions, such as whether it is sunny or windy. However, an energy grid with AI might detect these situations and determine when energy should be conserved and when it should flow. An intelligent grid would ensure that energy is supplied at all times, regardless of the weather.

AI has already had a significant impact in some fields. In 2016, Google engineers used algorithms in their data centres and discovered that by improving the energy flow across the system, they were able to lower their cooling bill by 40%.

While it's thrilling to invest in new technologies, it's also critical to re-establish our connection with nature. After all, our contemporary way of life involves spending a lot of time indoors staring at screens, which has been linked to obesity, a lack of physical strength, and sadness, according to research.

Going outside and planting a tree is one way to receive a dose of nature while also helping to combat climate change. To take advantage of trees and plants' natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, you don't need any fancy machinery. We can help significant sections of the world attain steadier rainfall, more fertile soil, and improved farming productivity by simply planting more trees.

8. It's time to alter your purchasing habits.

Consumerism is out of control. Products and brands are created in such a way that purchasing them identifies you as a member of a tribe of like-minded individuals. Your identity and the items you consume grow increasingly interwoven year after year.

The fashion sector, in particular, is a problem because of its massive carbon footprint, which is second only to the oil industry. Textile manufacturing emits more greenhouse gases than all international flights and maritime freight put together!

If you can break away from the consumer cycle, you'll discover that it's a very effective means of combating climate change.

The main point here is that it's time to adjust your consumption habits.

Buying a lot of goods is not only addictive, but it's also detrimental psychologically. Mass consumerism leaves a gap in our psyche, prompting us to spend money in order to fill it. At the same time, our leaders assess society's development in terms of GDP, a numerical economic metric that disregards human well-being and happiness.

The good news is that we can counteract these influences. Of course, you won't be able to completely avoid spending money. However, you have the option of spending it more wisely. In terms of fashion, this could mean investing in higher-quality organic cotton clothing rather than cheaply produced items that you'll discard after a few months. Make sure you stop supporting companies with inefficient manufacturing techniques and instead support those who are devoted to long-term sustainability.

You can also use your money to vote in various ways. Consider going electric the next time you need to replace your vehicle. Alternatively, make a commitment to altering your home's heating and cooling systems. Conduct an energy audit on your home, then make the switch to electric heating when you're due to replace your old boiler.

Capital will begin to move away from the unsustainable consumer model of the past and toward the sustainable, clean economy we require in the future as a result of these developments. It's also possible that by rejecting the notion that more possessions mean a better life, you'll be substantially happier.

9. To combat climate change through political action, we must seek out the truth.

It's no secret that the internet is riddled with false information, and social media isn't doing much to help. In fact, according to a recent MIT study of Twitter, lies spread six times quicker than the truth on average.

Some have even coined the term "post-truth period" to describe our current state of affairs. And it seems to retain some weight because we choose to believe our political leaders even when they freely propagate lies and contradict science.

That's because we're all prone to something known as confirmation bias, or the desire to have our own opinions validated.

The main message here is that in order to combat climate change by political action, we must seek out the facts.

It might be satisfying to read "evidence" that supports your point of view in an argument. However, if you can differentiate facts from pseudoscience, you can take political action that helps to shape a better future.

Politicians have their own reasons for distorting the climate change truth. It's simple to understand why. Corporate interests have poured money into politics for many years, effectively buying influence over our elected officials. Governments around the world continue to fund the fossil fuel sector with $600 billion in subsidies each year.

What can ordinary citizens do in the face of such powerful political forces?

Nonviolent political protest is the most effective approach to promote change. Change has always occurred when roughly 3.5 per cent of a people united in nonviolent protest for a specific cause throughout history. That would entail eleven million people in the United States demonstrating, marching, and demanding climate policy adjustments.

Supporting more female leaders is another effective method to help solve the climate challenge.

Despite progress in many areas of life, the majority of leaders are still male. However, research shows that organizations with a large number of female leaders are more likely to take action on climate change. Furthermore, women legislators vote for climate action nearly twice as often as males, so cast your vote for a woman the next time you go to the polls.

Above all, don't be concerned if you're feeling overwhelmed by the issues we're facing. Things will become tougher, but it is not too late to make a better future choice.

The most important message in this summary:

We are at a historic crossroads: we can choose to actively and aggressively combat climate change for a sustainable future, or we can choose to do nothing and drastically damage the lives of future generations. Although there is still hope, we will need to make significant adjustments if we are to avoid the Earth being irrevocably warmer by 2050. Whether you take political action, shift your consumerist mindset, or go tree-planting, whatever you do to minimize your carbon footprint, no matter how modest, makes a difference.

Advice that can be implemented:

Change your diet to one that is more plant-based.

Although vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming more fashionable, most people are still not ready to give up meat cold turkey — pun intended! Choose one day of the week to eat meat-free to begin a gradual shift to a plant-based diet. If it works, you can gradually increase the number of meat-free days. You'll reduce your carbon footprint and possibly gain some health benefits as a result.