“It is always easier to deny reality than to allow our worldview to be shattered, a fact that was as
true of diehard Stalinists at the height of the purges as of libertarian climate deniers today” writes
Naomi Klein. Today, climate change impacts every aspect of our lives. Despite the devastating
effects that climate change has on the earth, many people continue to deny it. In This Changes
Everything, Naomi Klein explores the relationship between capitalism, denial, and climate
change. Once reluctant to acknowledge the climate crisis, she now speaks about how climate
change is progressing due to corporations, and how if left unchecked, it will change the
environment and society.

I love how she did not sugarcoat the realities of climate change. In the first section, she
describes how corporataions have derailed the environmental movement, particulary the
corporate promotion of climate denial. She then paints a vivid image of what is happening
through describing her personal experiences. She writes about the chemicals that are killing
wildlife, and negative health effects it has on people. She backs up her words with statistics,
quotes, and scientific evidence of what is happening to our earth. What stood out to me the most
was how she ended the book with a message of hope. She explained how people have united to
fight climate change and how environmental movements all over the world have developed to
push back against climate change and the denial that many hold.

According to critics, many of her ideas on combating climate change are unrealistic and
unreasoanable. For instance, she proposes that we must find an “entirely new economic model.”
Another thing I disliked was that the amount of material covered was overwhelming. Despite
this, I feel like I gained a new perspective that some hold and it was interesting to see the link
between capitalism and climate change.

In conclusion, I would recommend that everyone reads this book. This Changes Everything.
Many around the world are fighting to prevent further destruction to our environment, but for
many, it can still be easy to forget what is happening. Like her, I also was reluctant to help
combat climate change and leave the job to “tree-huggers and environmentalists.” However, this
book changed everything for me. Reading the environmental effects it has, I felt inspired to
become more involved, alter my actions, and take part in activism. Overall, this has been an eye
opening read and the valuable takeaway makes it worth it!

Check out This Changes Everything from NBPL!