Think Again, The New Climate War: 2 books that will make you re-think again

Note: This isn't an extensive book(s) review, but my take on ideas where the books interconnect, therefore it's a very subjective selection of two major points. Actually, the strongest arguments of the 2 books are not these and that's why I sincerely recommend you to read them.

I love it when books from different areas link-up, unexpectedly! Can't help it!

I just finished two amazing books from two different fields (climate change and psychology) that unexpectedly converged around a very important topic and built a possible ground for further rethinking and research - how to effectively communicate climate change in order to assure that the public and policymakers are well informed; how to shift opinion of interested public that might be victims of disinformation, defeatism or climate change doomism; how to re-shape opinions of the "confused middle" (seems I used to be there up until recently) and hopefully mobilize them for the needed change; and even how to change opinions of hard climate change denialists (not the ones who just profit out of their supposed skepticism or for hire denialism).

The books are written by two distinguished academics and major authorities in their respective fields, Michael E. Mann's The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet and Adam Grant's Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know.

From Mann I learned so much about the ongoing information and communication battle evolving in front of our eyes, that deliberately blurs our understanding of the deeply embedded interests in the climate change power play and theater. Reading the book, I realized that too often I found myself being deceived by very elaborated, subtle and sophisticated manoeuvres and campaigns that downplay the climate change current and future impacts, that aim at either slowing down or even preventing much needed systemic change. I never fell for doomism, but the book has much to say on that, too. The book plants inspiring ideas on how to move forward in this battle.

On the other side, Grant's book provided me with the guidelines on how and why to rethink my opinions and assumptions about the world around me and the world inside me; to unlearn and not to take things for granted even if I benefited from them previously or I continue to do so today. How to keep my mind open and how to open the minds of others. It gives somewhat diverging tips (from Mann's proposals) on how we should go about communicating and negotiating with those who disagree with us, or are yet to be won over for the cause of climate change that so profoundly depends on citizens' support and us coming together.

Thinking of so complicated climate change negotiations, the two books seem to be indispensable tools when crafting our strategies to tackle the climate change on all levels, from the highest possible international governmental forums, to our working environments, to our local communities and to our families and friends.

I don't know how realistic is that the two scientists work together on this, but definitely it would be fascinating to develop further and re-think the converging and diverging points. (Maybe it is already done by someone that I am not aware of).

Simply, fascinating!