Not the End of the World

How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet

By: Hannah Ritchie

Narrated by: Hannah Ritchie Ph.D. Ph.D.

This "truly essential" audiobook will transform how you see our biggest environmental problems (Margaret Atwood)—and explains how we can solve them.

It’s become common to tell kids that they’re going to die from climate change. We are constantly bombarded by doomsday headlines that tell us the soil won’t be able to support crops, fish will vanish from our oceans, and that we should reconsider having children.

But in this bold, radically hopeful audiobook, data scientist Hannah Ritchie argues that if we zoom out, a very different picture emerges. In fact, the data shows we’ve made so much progress on these problems that we could be on track to achieve true sustainability for the first time in human history. Did you know that carbon emissions per capita are actually down, deforestation peaked back in the 1980s, the air we breathe now is vastly improved from centuries ago, and more people died from natural disasters a hundred years ago?

Packed with the latest research and practical guidance, this audiobook will make you rethink almost everything you’ve been told about the environment. Not the End of the World will give you the tools to understand our current crisis and make lifestyle changes that actually have an impact. Hannah cuts through the noise by outlining what works, what doesn’t, and what we urgently need to focus on so we can leave a sustainable planet for future generations.

These problems are big. But they are solvable. We are not doomed. We can build a better future for everyone. Let’s turn that opportunity into reality.

Critic reviews

“Ecopragmatism at its best shines throughout this book... The surprising message in the data is that human civilization is far along toward solving planetary problems. Hannah Ritchie shows how building on the successful trends can finish the job.”—Stewart Brand, founder of Whole Earth Catalog and author of Whole Earth Discipline

“Such a clear-eyed view of the state we're in, giving a sharp picture of the challenges ahead, and an inspiring vision of the problems we've already solved. Everyone who reads it will learn a lot – I did.”—Tim Harford, author of How to Make the World Add Up

“A refreshingly upbeat guide to achieving sustainability. Ritchie attacks cynicism, doomerism and apathy with a barrage of data revealing the extent of our progress and illuminating the best paths ahead.”—Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century

“Data is a superpower. Let Hannah Ritchie show you the world as it really is. Then go out and change it for the better.”—Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees

“An unmissable myth-busting book to save our planet— read it.”—Tim Spector, author of Food For Life

"An inspiring data-mine which gives us not only real guidance, but the most necessary ingredient of all: hope . . . truly essential"

—Margaret Atwood, TED2023

"I find it hard to express how much I love this book. Hannah Ritchie brilliantly picks up where Hans Rosling left off. Her book shines with practicality and positivity. It will banish your feelings of doom, help you focus on what’s really important, and make you want to be a part of the most effective solutions to our greatest challenges. Let's get this book into the hands of as many policy makers, politicians and fellow citizens as possible."—Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind

Environmental Sustainability Analysis

Excellent data driven approach to environmental and sustainability problems. Fun to listen to with Hannah's beautiful Scottish brogue. I learned that many of the things we think are environmentally helpful are not. Certain actions are 100 times better than others. A must read for anyone interested in environmental improvement and sustainability.

Surprising well-sourced information

The book is well-structured. It breaks apart many widespread myths around ecologism, to recommend more effictive action. It is very well sourced.

Inspiring!

Wonderful book and audio performance by Dr. Hannah Richie. I also enjoyed her reference to Dr. Hans Rosling’s book Factfulness. I ordered a copy of “Not the end of the world” book for my university library and included a reference to this book in my class syllabi. Thank you for an inspiring resource to provide to students! Too often we talk about problems but not solutions. This book provides a rational means to make progress toward larger goals.

Some nice new nuggets

I’ve read a good number of Climate books, but this one had some nice new data-backed nuggets that I appreciated. Things like plastic potentially being a net positive for some packaging food (non Intuitive), palm oil being better than many other oils, and more.

Everyone should read this.

I think this is a very important book for those of us in the environmental movement to read.