What If We Get It Right?

Visions of Climate Futures

By: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Narrated by: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ayisha Siddiqa, Jacqueline Woodson, Steve Connell

Our climate future is not yet written. What if we act as if we love the future?

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do while facing an existential crisis is imagine life on the other side. This provocative and joyous book maps an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures.

Through clear-eyed essays and vibrant conversations, infused with data and poetry, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson guides us through solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice. Visionary farmers and financiers, architects and advocates, help us conjure a flourishing future, one worth the effort it will take—from every one of us, with whatever we have to offer—to create.

If you haven’t yet been able to picture a transformed and replenished world—or to see yourself, your loved ones, and your community in it—this book is for you. If you haven’t yet found your role in shaping this new world or you’re not sure how we can actually get there, this book is for you.

With grace, humor, and humanity, Johnson invites listeners to ask and answer this ultimate question together: What if we get it right?

On imagination, possibility, and transformation with

Paola Antonelli • Xiye Bastida • Jade Begay • Wendell Berry • Régine Clément • Steve Connell • Erica Deeman • Abigail Dillen • Brian Donahue • Jean Flemma • Kelly Sims Gallagher • Rhiana Gunn-Wright • Olalekan Jeyifous • Corley Kenna • Bryan C. Lee Jr. • Franklin Leonard • Adam McKay • Bill McKibben • Kate Marvel • Samantha Montano • Kate Orff • Leah Penniman • Marge Piercy • Colette Pichon Battle • Kendra Pierre-Louis • Judith D. Schwartz • Jigar Shah • Ayisha Siddiqa • Bren Smith • Oana Stănescu • Mustafa Suleyman • Jacqueline Woodson

*This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF containing photographs, diagrams, and an Anti-Apocalypse mixtape.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“With a thoughtfully curated series of essays, poetry, and conversations, Johnson has assembled a group of dynamic people who are willing to imagine what seems impossible, and articulate those visions with enthusiastic clarity. The problem of climate change is a significant one, but What If We Get It Right? reminds us that with passion and ingenuity, there is so much we can accomplish.”—Roxane Gay

“An optimistic bent and eager embrace of solutions . . . these conversations are as much about ‘getting it right’ as they are about what we are currently getting wrong. Johnson is a top-notch interviewer, and her guests are insightful and candid . . .”—Scientific American

“An entirely credible (and entirely enchanting) voice . . . Ayana Johnson is no Pollyanna. She’s a hard-nosed and extremely competent scientist who has not shied for a minute from facing the hard truths.”—Bill McKibben

take a breath, dive in

This is the book we have been needing. Now more than ever we have the chance to save the world. This book will leave you inspired, validated, hopeful, and with a lot of homework for how we can save our planet and it's people.

Let’s Do This: Eyes Wide Open, Heart fully Charged

I love that my eyes, heart and the need for implementation has helped me to see deeper, love unconditionally and the dire necessity to be in action for our future living and breathing world

Thank you for your big love for all!
Sonia