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 PhD

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.

©2024 Hannah Ritchie (P)2024 Little, Brown Spark

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)

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.

It changed my vews on the environment

Pragmatical and data focused. Some aspects are quite non intuitive. Mandatory listen for all environmentalists.

Great book for those who are environmentally focused and feel things are hopeless. Things are not hopeless and we can fix it.

I think some parts dragged on a bit longer than needed but all things considered its a pretty small criticism.

Thought Provoking

Lots of good information, and written in a way that helps you think. My perspective has changed while reading this book. Would highly recommend!

Precisely the message the world needs right now

Deeply researched and equally as optimistic. Left me feeling better than Prozac! Must read for the current generation.

Scottish Accent

The book is really great. Nuanced views backed by tons of data. Well explained, very interesting from a variety of points of views…
Still, I don’t know what fraction of the English speaking world is Scottish, but I felt the accent was pretty demanding on the American ear, and would have been better read by (anybody) else.

Best sustainability summary

Clear, balanced and evidence-based summary that provides a way to be optimistic about a sustainable future

Simply fantastic

For years, I have had a nagging sense of doom about the future of our planet, without much sense of how to help effectively. However, this book blew my mind. So many of my ideas about what to do were wrong, and now I have a deeper understanding of some things that I can do, and some policies that I can support. The book is a fun and eye-opening look into a promising future.

Great book, but where are my charts and graphs?

I love this book. It is excellent example of applying science, data and critical thinking to difficult, controversial and emotionally fraught issues. It certainly corrected some misconceptions I had about what I can do to best contribute to the solutions of these global problems.

My only complaint is that the print book is full of charts and graphs that really help make the points, and while you don't need them to understand the points being made, I don't understand why this audiobook doesn't come with a PDF with the illustrations, the way so many non-fiction audiobooks do. I feel cheated!