Wilde Hippi Book Review

When it comes to the climate crisis, many of us feel torn between hope and despair. “The Future We Choose – The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis” by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac offers something rare: a map not just for saving the planet, but for healing ourselves along the way.

Who are Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac?

These two remarkable humans were at the heart of the historic Paris Agreement negotiations in 2015 — a pivotal moment where, against all odds, world leaders agreed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Figueres, as the former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Rivett-Carnac, her senior political strategist, have witnessed firsthand the possibilities of collaboration — and the brutal realities of inertia.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an international climate treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). For the first time, nearly every country on Earth agreed to work together to limit global warming to well below 2°C — ideally aiming for 1.5°C — compared to pre-industrial levels. The agreement is built on voluntary national plans and cooperation, not legal enforcement, making it a symbol of collective responsibility. It recognises that avoiding the worst impacts of climate change requires deep emissions cuts, climate resilience building, and support for those most vulnerable to its effects.

Why this book, and why now?

Written in the aftermath of Paris, as the world struggled to move from promises to real action, this book is a wake-up call wrapped in compassion. It arrives at a time they call "the critical decade" — the ten years (2020–2030) that will decide the future of life on Earth. The decisions we make now will determine whether we enter a future of regeneration or collapse. The 2020s are our window. The choices we make now will either avert climate catastrophe or lock in devastating consequences for centuries. It is a decade of irreversible tipping points — and irreversible hope, if we act.

Two Worlds, Two Futures

The authors invite us to envision two possible futures:

• One world is scorched, chaotic, and scarred by apathy.
• The other is regenerative, thriving, and profoundly beautiful — because humanity chose courage over comfort.

Through speculative fiction, they illustrate the worlds we are already beginning to shape. It's not fantasy — it’s a lived reality we can still influence. The choice is ours. The time is now.

🌍 Doing What Is Necessary: A New Covenant With the Earth

The heart of this book lies in a set of practical, soul-deep commitments they call doing what is necessary. These aren’t simply actions — they are shifts in mindset, in belonging, in the stories we tell ourselves.

Let’s walk through them together:

🌿 Let Go of the Old World

The systems of extraction, domination, and endless growth that defined the 20th century must be laid to rest. We must actively release outdated ways of thinking about wealth, success, and human supremacy over nature. Clinging to the old narratives only drags us deeper into crisis.

🌿 Face Grief, Hold a Vision

There is grief in recognising what has been lost — coral reefs, ancient forests, species gone forever. But facing that grief is not weakness; it is strength. We are called to process loss while still holding a fierce, luminous vision for what can be reborn.

🌿 Defend the Truth

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than wildfire, defending science, justice, and basic human dignity becomes an act of rebellion. We must champion facts — but also tell stories that ignite hearts, not just minds.

🌿 See Yourself as a Citizen, Not a Consumer

Consumer culture tells us our power lies in buying better. But real power lies in acting collectively: as citizens, advocates, and stewards. Our identities must stretch beyond wallets and algorithms into conscious participation.

🌿 Move Beyond Fossil Fuels

This is non-negotiable. There is no sustainable future while fossil fuels dominate our economies. We must dismantle the old energy systems swiftly and build a decentralised, renewable energy revolution that leaves no community behind.

🌿 Reforest the Earth

Trees are our greatest allies in stabilising the climate. Reforestation and regenerative land management can heal broken ecosystems, sequester carbon, and restore cultural and spiritual relationships with the land.

🌿 Invest in a Clean Economy

Where we put our money shapes the future. Divesting from fossil fuels, investing in green technologies, and supporting ethical businesses are critical acts. It’s about building ecosystems of prosperity that serve life, not just profit.

🌿 Use Technology Responsibly

Technology is not inherently good or evil. It is a tool — and like any tool, it must be wielded with wisdom. Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy innovations must be guided by ethics, humility, and care.

🌿 Build Gender Equality

Empowering women and marginalised genders is one of the most effective climate solutions we have. When women are supported as leaders, educators, and decision-makers, communities become more resilient, adaptable, and innovative.

🌿 Engage in Politics

Change is not just personal — it is systemic. We must show up: voting, lobbying, campaigning, and building pressure for real structural transformation. Political will is shaped by public will. Our collective voices are more powerful than we know.

💚🦋 A Path for Wilde Hippi Souls

At Wilde Hippi, we believe every small action, every seed planted, every story shared, ripples outward into something greater.

The Future We Choose is a rallying cry for those of us who feel both broken hearted and fiercely hopeful. It reminds us that stubborn optimism is not about ignoring the darkness, it’s about lighting a candle anyway. Again and again.

Together, we can shape a future where compassion leads, where resilience blooms, and where regeneration becomes the new story of humanity.

The future is not written.
We are writing it together.

🌿🦋 Follow My Learning Journey

If you'd like to follow along, I’ll be sharing weekly blog updates as part of my Masters in Fashion Sustainability progress diary. Each post reflects the hands-on experiences, lessons, and inspiration gathered on this journey toward a more conscious and connected way of living. 🌸🌱Click here to explore the full series and walk this path with me, I'd love to have you alongside as I grow, learn, and sow new seeds for the future.

🌼📚 Wilde Reads: Books For Change

If you're passionate about sustainability and fashion, why not join our Wilde Hippi Book Club? Together, we’ll explore books that inspire change, discuss new ideas, and build a community committed to ethical living. We are currently reading “Worn - A Peoples History of Clothing” by Sofi Thanhauser. Let’s turn the page towards a better world! 📚✨

With gratitude,
Tala 🌿 💚

Follow the Journey

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