Several narratives about climate change describe catastrophes occurring in remote locations, such as ice caps melting, hurricanes, disastrous floods and massive fires. The book “Climate Travels: How Ecotourism Changes Mindsets and Motivates Action” written by Michael M. Gunter, is a travelogue that highlights the effects of changing climate on the local level. Gunter is an author and speaker specialized in ecotourism, climate politics and sustainable development. In this book, the author has collected stories and insights from his travels across the United States, taking readers on a journey that reveals the diverse impacts of climate change.

The book is divided into two parts and contains fifteen chapters. Part I, See It Yourself: Threats to The Home Front, highlights the devastations that occur due to the changing climate in the United States. Part II, Do It Yourself: Action Making a Difference, focuses on the solutions for mitigating the climate change. The book gives readers hope that they can take action at the local level.

Part I consists of eight chapters in which the author describes the effects of climate change like rising seas, floods, droughts, wildfires, melting ice and other extreme weather events that have happened in the United States. The evidence of sea level rise is clear in Norfolk and Virginia, where flooding disrupts daily life, especially in the affluent area of Larchmont neighborhood. Skip Stiles, Executive Director of statewide conservation group Wetlands Watch, has noted that “this area has the highest sea level rise on the East Coast”.South Florida, including Miami, is especially at risk due to its low elevation and porous limestone formation, which allows seawater to infiltrate from below. Miami Beach has already seen a 400% increase in high-tide flooding since 2006.

Gunter states that “beyond lives lost, floods caused USD 3.75 billion in property and crop damage across the United States in 2019” (Pg 28). He also states that “the November 2018 Camp Fire killed 85 people and turned this community of 26,543 into a burned shadow of its former self” (Pg 38). The author reflects on Greensburg’s transformation after a devastating tornado in 2007, which destroyed 95% of the buildings but provided a chance for the town to rebuild with a green vision.  

Furthermore, in this section, the author has discussed disasters and issues which happened in the United States, such as Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred in Alaska on 24 March 1989 and its consequences on the environment and melting glaciers in Greenland. Gunter states that by 2050 these glaciers will be gone from Greenland and Antarctica. He also highlights the biodiversity loss in the United States due to extreme weather events such as Maine Lobster migrating away from the United States territorial waters and imperiled ecosystems in national parks.

Part II contains seven chapters, wherein the author focuses on implementing solutions to mitigate the consequences of climate change on local communities in the United States. These chapters highlight the importance of green initiatives and renewable energy in promoting sustainability in the local communities. Gunter explains that solar power is the most accessible and largest renewable energy resource. He mentions that solar thermal panels convert sunlight into heat with around 70% efficiency for residential use in the United States (Pg 119).

The author compares the harsh winter preparations in Alaska to humanity’s limited responses to climate change, which can be categorized into three options: hibernating, migrating or tolerating. He mentions that “over the last quarter-century, far too many have chosen option one by ignoring our unfolding climate crisis and dreamily wishing it away. Those around the world most vulnerable, if they survive, have little choice but to employ option two and flee. And finally, those wealthy enough, while not yet sufficiently exposed to fully comprehend our climate crisis, simply tolerate it” (Pg 138). Plastic pollution is another critical issue. The author notes that packaging materials constitute as much as one-third of solid waste generated by households and the huge amount of plastic is ending up in landfills and oceans. He states that plastic consumption is a source of crisis for climate change as well as human and animal health.

The author further discusses the need for a sustainable food system by advocating for local food production and reduced meat consumption. He highlights that animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation and livestock are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. The author states that it takes eleven times as much fossil fuel to raise a pound of animal protein as a pound of plant protein. He contends that the future of farming needs to better resemble the past to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also mentions that “if cows were a country, they would rank third in greenhouse gas emissions after China and the United States, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)” (Pg 147).

The author has also discussed wind power in this book. He explains that wind power is a major player in Texas, a state still dominated by fossil fuels, where about 20% of electricity comes from wind power. Gunter has also discussed other renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy and hydrothermal power.

Gunter explains that nuclear energy has low carbon footprint. He notes that nuclear power plants generate a substantial portion of global electricity with countries like France relying heavily on nuclear energy for their power needs. He mentions that nuclear power generates about 10% of world electricity. Its usage in terms of percentage of national mix is highest in France at 76%, with the United States relying on nuclear power for 19% of its national requirement.

In the book, the author highlights his personal experience and the importance of environmental justice through conversations with policymakers, business executives and activists. He advises readers on how to get involved locally for mitigating the effects of climate change. The stories in this book may resonate more with the readers in the United States, but those concerned about environmental issues worldwide may also find it useful.