Riders on the Storm


Published by Birlinn Limited
A journey into science and spirituality to help us reconnect with soil, soul, and society from “one of the world’s leading environmental campaigners” (BBC TV).

Climate change is the greatest challenge to humankind today. While the coronavirus sheds a light on the vulnerability of our interconnected world, the effects of global warming will be permanent, indeed catastrophic, without a massive shift in human behavior.

Writer, scholar and broadcaster Alastair McIntosh sums up the present knowledge and shows that conventional solutions are not enough. In rejecting the blind alleys of climate change denial, exaggeration and false optimism, he offers a scintillating discussion of ways forward. Weaving together science, politics, psychology and spirituality, this guide examines what it takes to make us riders on the storm.

“A climate primer for our times.” —Michael E. Mann, author of The New Climate War

“A profusion of ideas, insight, honesty and wit.” —The Herald

“Imbued with the deepest hope for a better world.” —Sir Jonathon Porritt, author of Hope in Hell

“Solid on the science yet dedicated to the human spirit.” —Professor Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy

COMMUNITY REVIEWS