All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis – Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson
As you may have guessed by this website, I’ll read about anything, but this book would not have been on my radar had it not been selected as our work-related book club selection.
Admittedly, I’m uninformed about climate change outside of the headlines, and this collection of essays and poems showed me just how dangerous that approach can be.
While it may be too in-depth for those seeking general information — honestly, it sometimes felt like reading a textbook — the editors, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson have compiled a primer on the vernacular, key issues and political lightning rods.
After finishing it, I feel more informed about the scope of climate issues, understand steps I can take to make a difference at home and within my community and am generally inspired by those in the fight to save our planet.
Told in eight sections with 50+ essays and poems, each amplifies the voices of women — many representing indigenous or minority communities that face an outsized brunt of challenges brought about by climate change — on the frontlines of action.
From the coal mines of West Virginia to the coasts of Louisiana and the expansive plains, we get a firsthand look at why climate change is so complex. There is no single answer. There is no simple solution. But there is hope and time to make a difference, although that window narrows by the day.
It would be impossible to recount key learnings because my main takeaway is that so much climate inaction stems from not connecting to what would personally motivate a person to act. So, instead I’ll highlight a couple of the chapters that resonated most with me, an urban Midwesterner:
“On Fire” by Naomi Klein – an accessible breakdown of the Green New Deal.
“Litigating in a Time of Crisis” by Abigail Dillen – historical context to watershed legal cases for environmental protection and a potential path forward for today.
“How to Talk About Climate Change” by Katherine Hayhoe – practical advice for meeting people where they are and making them care about the planet.
“Heaven or High Water” by Sarah Miller – probably my favorite essay in the collection, it showcases the need to dig deeper into policies and practices established to “protect” us from climate-related issues.
“Mending the Landscape” by Kate Orff – ideas for how to build greener cities and developments without losing the amenities people desire.
“Did It Ever Occur To You That Maybe You’re Falling In Love?” by Ailish Hopper – slam poetry-esque examination of too little, too late lip service.
“Under the Weather” by Ash Sanders – insightful look at the mental toll of the climate fight.
“Solutions Underfoot” by Jane Zelikova – outlines the role of farming and agriculture in positive climate efforts.
“Black Gold” by Leah Penniman – an inspiring look at urban farming and engaging a new generation of Black farmers.
“Calling All Grand Mothers” by Alice Walker – the matchless writer outlines why women will make all the difference in this fight.
“A Field Guide for Transformation” by Leah Cardamore Stokes – reassurance that you don’t need to think big (i.e. stop flying commercial) to make a difference.
“Like the Monarch” by Sarah Stillman – explores the plight of climate refuges and the need to reframe our thinking.
There were also several essays there were repetitive and contradictory, but I appreciated they were included because it offers a more holistic view of the challenges. Within each section, I’d say about two-thirds of the messages resonated, but I also recognize that each person who reads this will have a different experience and perspective on what is presented.
Finally, after reading about 100-pages, I shifted to the audiobook, which features a cast of actors and audiobook all-stars, including: Cristela Alonzo, Sophia Bush, Kimberly Drew, America Ferrera, Jane Fonda, Ilana Glazer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Janet Mock, Bahni Turpin, Alfre Woodard.
If you’re interested in reading this but think a 400+-page commitment is too much, the audiobook is your way to go. A special shout out to Sophia Bush, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Alfre Woodward for bringing a lot of heart to the essays they read.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Formats: Hybrid read/listen: hardcover (personal library); audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: March 6 – May 23, 2022
Multi-tasking: Good to go. The all-star cast of narrators do a great job of tackling serious topics, but I’d recommend a physical copy for notes.
