Americans care about climate change now more than ever—but to unite across the political spectrum in pursuit of solutions, we need a new narrative based on a positive vision of the future.
Available as paperback, audiobook, and kindle.
About the book
Andreas Karelas brings an optimistic message we don’t often hear: we have all the tools we need to solve climate change—and doing so will improve our lives, our economy, and our society in countless ways. Climate Courage shows us how we can move past our collective inaction on climate change and work together in our communities to create a more sustainable, just, clean energy–powered economy that works for everyone.
To engage people in the climate fight requires that we tell new stories that are empowering, inclusive, and solutions-oriented, not based in fear. By emphasizing the rate of job creation in clean energy and the inspiring efforts of climate heroes on both sides of the aisle—including Republican mayors and governors, the military, faith communities, businesses, and community groups—Karelas shows us that climate solutions need not be polarizing and that citizens can drive the shift to clean energy.
Additional Praise for Climate Courage
Climate Courage is a gem
of a book. I have been teaching about climate change for close to
three decades. No other book comes close to explaining the
challenges we face and, more importantly, the profound
opportunities we are being offered in building a clean energy
future. Read this book and give it to everyone you know.
—Paul Wapner
professor of global
environmental politics, American University, and author of
Is Wildness Over.
Looking for a journey of
optimism among today’s doom-and gloom headlines about climate
change? This book is your tour guide. Thoughtful, well-researched,
and thoroughly engaging, Climate Courage offers a real-world road
map of hope and inspiration about the future of our planet and
ourselves.
—Clint Wilder
coauthor of The Clean
Tech Revolution and Clean Tech Nation
We now have the ability
to harness clean energy technologies as tools for social justice.
This book details how the community-based climate movement is
making the clean energy transition a reality and tells the stories
of the incredible people and organizations that show up for
environmental, social, and economic justice every day.
—Erica Mackie
cofounder and CEO of
GRID Alternatives
In Climate Courage,
Karelas highlights the human side of the fight against climate
change—taking this big, intimidating issue and connecting it to
individuals and communities. Tackling the climate crisis is about
more than measuring greenhouse gas emissions and creating new
technology solutions. Ultimately, it’s about people and how they
choose to act. Climate Courage reminds us that the planet doesn’t
have a political affiliation; there is just one Earth for us all
to protect and enjoy.
—Julia Pyper
host and producer of
the Political Climate podcast, contributing editor at
Greentech Media
This inspiring look at
how and why solar can and should become a leading source of
energy—and the diverse leaders on the frontline of change—is a
must-read. Karelas is both ethical and practical, and his deep
love for people and the planet suffuses every page.
—Rev. Sally G. Bingham
founder and president
emeritus of Interfaith Power and Light and canon for the
environment for the Diocese of California
The 2020s are supposed to
be the decisive decade on climate, but until we’re rolling up our
sleeves, doing what Andreas describes in vivid detail, we’re all
“just talking.” Here’s a book on how to summon up the courage to
do, not tell. Read it and you will get the gumption that you need
to bridge the divides in America and do the work we need to save
ourselves from our own worst impulses. Shine on!
—Danny Kennedy
cofounder of Sungevity
and CEO of New Energy Nexus
To fight climate change,
we need to broaden the conversation and include groups that have
been consistently left out, especially those that will be worst
affected, including communities of color and low income
communities. Climate Courage tells the stories of those of us
working to make climate an inclusive movement.
—the Rev. Dr. Ambrose
Carroll
founder and CEO, Green
the Church
About the Author
Andreas Karelas
Andreas Karelas is the founder and
executive director of RE-volv, a nonprofit organization that
empowers people around the country to help nonprofits in their
communities go solar and raise awareness about the benefits of
clean energy. He is a dedicated clean-energy advocate with over 15
years of environmental and renewable energy experience. He is an
Audubon TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Fellow and an
OpenIDEO Climate Innovator Fellow. He lives and works in San
Francisco. Connect with him at re-volv.org and on Twitter at @AndreasKarelas.