1,001 Voices on Climate Change: Everyday Stories of Flood, Fire, Drought, and Displacement from Around the World

Devi Lockwood, a journalist, travels the world by bicycle to collect first-person accounts of climate change from people most affected. In her book, 1,001 Voices on Climate Change, she hears from indigenous elders and youth, attends the UN climate conference, and bikes the length of New Zealand and Australia, interviewing people about retreating glaciers, contaminated rivers, and wildfires. The book is a hopeful global listening tour for climate change, channeling the urgency of those who have already glimpsed the future to help us avoid the worst.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

In her groundbreaking work, 1,001 Voices on Climate Change, journalist Devi Lockwood embarks on a remarkable journey around the world, seeking to amplify the voices of those most affected by the catastrophic consequences of climate change. Through her tireless efforts, Lockwood collects personal stories from individuals living in communities that have been grappling with the devastating impacts of floods, fires, droughts, and rising seas for far too long.

The official realization of apocalyptic climate predictions has brought forth a stark reality, with catastrophic wildfires, relentless hurricanes, melting permafrost, and coastal flooding becoming increasingly prevalent. These events have served as a painful reminder of the hardships endured by communities that have been facing these challenges for an extended period. However, the voices of those most affected often go unheard, overshadowed by the broader narrative of climate change.

Determined to change this, journalist Devi Lockwood sets out on a mission to gather firsthand accounts of climate change from the people who are living it. Armed with a simple cardboard sign that reads, "Tell me a story about climate change," she travels the globe, often by bicycle, covering twenty countries across six continents. Throughout her journey, Lockwood engages with indigenous elders and youth in Fiji and Tuvalu, who share their concerns about drought and disappearing coastlines. She attends the United Nations Climate Conference in Morocco, where she listens to experts and activists discuss the urgent need for action.

Lockwood also embarks on an epic bike ride across New Zealand and Australia, interviewing the people she meets about the retreating glaciers, contaminated rivers, and wildfires that have become a part of their daily lives. She ventures through Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, where she listens to marionette puppeteers and novice Buddhist monks share their insights on the impact of climate change on their communities.

What emerges from Lockwood's remarkable journey is a profound realization that ordinary people sharing their stories hold immense power in advancing understanding and empathy for climate change. It is through these personal narratives that the urgency and gravity of the situation come to life, transcending even the most alarming statistics and studies. This "luminous book" (Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Poison Squad and The Poisoners Handbook) serves as a hopeful global listening tour for climate change, channeling the urgency of those who have already glimpsed the futility of inaction.

Through her powerful storytelling, Lockwood invites readers to join her in a collective effort to address the challenges posed by climate change. She emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of those who have been marginalized and overlooked, recognizing that their experiences and perspectives are vital in shaping our collective response. By amplifying these voices, Lockwood hopes to inspire a sense of urgency and action, urging individuals and communities to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.

In conclusion, 1,001 Voices on Climate Change is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the human impact of climate change. Through the personal stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds, Lockwood demonstrates the power of storytelling in raising awareness and fostering empathy. This book serves as a call to action, urging us to listen to the voices of those most affected and to take collective responsibility for addressing the urgent challenges of our time.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982146733