
As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect time to start planning your climate reading list for 2025. Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a few books to dive into, Fresh Energy staff has curated a collection of must-reads that tackle some of the most urgent issues of our time, from climate change and environmental justice to new perspectives on the Midwest. Quite a few of these picks have strong Minnesota connections, offering a local lens to climate’s global reach. And whether you’re a fiction or non-fiction reader, this is a book list for you.
At Fresh Energy, we know the power of storytelling to inspire action and understanding. Our team is constantly immersed in the fight for climate solutions, and we find that reading — whether fiction or non-fiction — can help us think critically about the world we’re working to protect.
In this post, you’ll find a range of books that highlight the pressing need for change, as well as the innovations and ideas that could shape our collective future. Plus, we’ve included a fun sneak peek at some of the highly-anticipated titles coming later this year — books that are sure to keep you turning pages. Happy reading!
“What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Readers may remember Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson from her powerful keynote at Fresh Energy’s 2024 Annual Benefit Breakfast this last fall. In her latest book, she brings her signature blend of expertise, optimism, and creativity to a deeply-inspiring exploration of what a thriving climate future could look like. Through a vibrant collection of essays, poetry, and conversations, Johnson gathers voices from farmers to architects, activists to artists, weaving their insights into a hopeful and actionable vision of a just and sustainable world. It’s a heartfelt reminder that our climate future isn’t written yet — and that imagining the possible is a vital step toward making it real.
“Facing the Climate Emergency” by Margaret Klein Salamon

This summer, Fresh Energy staff came together to read this slim book in our internal book club. After finishing it, we had the incredible opportunity to meet with the author herself to reflect on the book’s powerful insights and explore how our personal emotions and perspectives on climate change can shape and strengthen our professional work in mitigating climate change.
The book dives deep into the emotional weight of the climate crisis, offering tools to transform anxiety and grief into courageous and necessary action. Through compelling stories and practical strategies, Salamon challenges readers to embrace their power and join the movement for transformative change. For our team, the experience was both grounding and galvanizing, helping us connect more deeply with our mission and each other.
“I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger

In I Cheerfully Refuse, bestselling author Leif Enger crafts a lyrical and imaginative tale of loss, resilience, and unexpected hope. The story follows Rainy, a grieving musician, as he sets sail on a sentient Lake Superior to search for his late, beloved wife. Against the backdrop of a crumbling society plagued by environmental collapse and greed, Rainy’s journey becomes one of self-discovery, filled with surreal encounters, surprising humor, and unlikely companionship. With its richly evocative setting and deeply human themes, Enger’s latest novel is a heartfelt ode to the power of love and the enduring spirit of defiance.
“My book recommendation comes from Minnesota author Leif Enger. His 2024 novel, ‘I Cheerfully Refuse,’ takes place on and around Lake Superior in the not-so-distant future and, according to The Washington Post, ‘is the sweetest apocalyptic novel yet.’ As someone who is not typically a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, I was drawn to the novel’s lovely cover art. While I picked up the book for the cover, I stayed for wonderfully deep and interesting characters and occasional shots of adventure. If you or other readers in your life are like me and try to avoid doom-spiral-causing novels, give this one a read.” –Jo Olson, lead director, communications & engagement
“Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World” by John Vaillant

In Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World, Pulitzer Prize finalist John Vaillant explores the catastrophic wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray, Canada, in 2016, offering a haunting look at the growing threat of wildfires in a rapidly warming world. Through a gripping narrative, Vaillant connects the history of fire’s relationship with humanity, from its role in civilization to its increasingly destructive power in the era of climate change. With vivid storytelling and profound insights, he warns that this disaster is just a glimpse of the dangers we will face in the future, urging society to confront the escalating climate crisis.
“Fire Weather surprised me in the best way possible. I initially expected it to be a deep dive into the ecological importance of fire, but it ended up being so much more — an expansive narrative that spans not just the history of fire in our ecosystems, but also a sharp, unflinching look at our reliance on fossil fuels. Fort McMurray, the epicenter of Canada’s oil extraction industry, serves as a powerful backdrop, and learning about the staggering energy demands of tar sands extraction was mind-blowing. John Vaillant is one of the best nonfiction writers working today; this book is a fast-paced, gripping read that combines emotion, suspense, history, and hard-hitting facts. I couldn’t put it down.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won’t Save the Planet” by Brett Christophers

Brett Christophers has flipped the conventional narrative about capitalism and the climate crisis. Instead of framing the problem as one where green technologies are too costly, he argues that the real issue is that saving the planet doesn’t offer enough financial return. He outlines how electricity markets work and how they are challenged to rapidly transition from fossil fuels to clean energy resources. Christophers makes the case that capitalism’s profit-driven model is fundamentally incompatible with solving climate change, proposing instead that energy needs to be removed from the private sector’s hands to create a truly sustainable future.
“Even though this book’s title might seem like it’s about political philosophy, most of the book is just highly technocratic about how electricity markets work and what governments have done around the world to incentivize renewable energy production. It has some fascinating insights about why the energy transition is happening so slowly, and it’s accessible without having years of experience in energy.” –Nick Haeg, senior policy associate, electric vehicles
“Honeymoons in Temporary Locations” by Ashley Shelby

Honeymoons in Temporary Locations by Ashley Shelby is a bold and imaginative collection of climate fictions that blend the absurd with the all-too-real. Set in a near-future transformed by climate disasters, the stories introduce quirky scenarios like support groups for displaced millionaires and men who hear trees, while exploring poignant themes of loss and adaptation. From guided tours of submerged cities to the commercialization of solastalgia, Shelby’s experimental storytelling offers a satirical yet humane exploration of a world both strange and familiar. This collection redefines dystopian fiction with humor, irony, and unexpected tenderness, marking Shelby as a visionary voice in the genre.
“I recommend the eclectic climate fictions, ‘Honeymoons in Temporary Locations,’ by Minnesotan Ashley Shelby. Her fantasy collection immerses us in the grief — and sometimes humor — of a climate-changed world. I love the novelette ‘Muri’ featuring talking polar bears that spout mutiny. Shelby is a brilliant writer — you’ll find yourself deeply thinking of these imagined worlds.” –J. Drake Hamilton, senior director, science policy
“The Years of Lyndon B. Johnson” by Robert Caro

The Years of Lyndon B. Johnson by Robert Caro is a monumental four-part series that offers a definitive, in-depth exploration of the 36th U.S. president’s life and political career. Caro’s unparalleled research and narrative skill delve into Johnson’s rise from rural poverty to the heights of power, unraveling the complex interplay between personal ambition and public achievement. Each (thick) volume provides rich insights into Johnson’s strategic genius, his ruthless pursuit of power, and his transformative impact on American politics, from his early work in rural electrification to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation. Caro’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to illuminate the political landscape of the 20th century makes this series a towering achievement in political biography, offering not just a portrait of a man but a sweeping history of American democracy itself.
“At first glance, this might not seem like a book directly related to climate. But at its core, it’s an exhaustive study of political power, which is essential to navigating the systems we need to address the climate crisis. Johnson’s unrelenting drive and intricate understanding of power are as relevant today as they were in the 1960s. I was particularly struck by the chapters on rural electrification in the first book — a vivid illustration of how something as seemingly mundane as electricity revolutionized lives. After reading it, you’ll never do a load of laundry without deep sense of gratitude ever again. Caro has been working on the fifth and final volume of this series for over a decade, I will eagerly read it in its entirety the moment it’s available — whenever that may be.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“Fables of the North Shore” by Jordan Sundberg and Natalie Salminen Rude

This joyful collection of five original fables is set against the backdrop of the North Shore at Lake Superior. With a blend of humor, heart, and reflection, the stories explore the rich landscape and local folklore, offering morals that are both delightful and thought-provoking. The book is beautifully illustrated with diverse mediums, including encaustic paintings, collage, dioramas, and printmaking, making each page a work of art. Created through a collaborative effort between artist Jordan Sundberg and illustrator Natalie Salminen Rude, this collection is a celebration of creativity, friendship, and the enchanting spirit of the North Shore.
“Duluth artists, Jordan Sundberg and Natalie Salminen Rude, create a ‘funny, heart-warming, reflective, and true’ book containing five original fables specific to the ‘North Shore of Lake Superior,’ illustrated by heaps of original artwork of various mediums. The book serves as a reminder, truth, and treasure for all those who know the beautiful power of Lake Superior.” –Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, senior lead, innovation and impact
“The Nutmeg’s Curse” by Amitav Ghosh

This book is a profound exploration of the roots of today’s climate crisis, tracing its origins back to the violent legacy of Western colonialism. Through the story of nutmeg — once a highly coveted spice — Ghosh shows how the exploitation of natural resources and human lives set the stage for the environmental disasters we face today. He draws connections between this historical exploitation and the deep inequalities that persist, weaving together discussions on everything from the global oil trade to migrant crises. With sharp insight and a focus on the agency of nature, Ghosh offers a compelling critique of Western society’s mechanistic view of the earth, urging readers to rethink the ways human history has shaped, and continues to shape, the planet’s future.
“Beautifully written, this book is a journey into how a system borne from the colonial era continues to ravage our world. It starts with the story of how the Dutch colonial masters vanquished tradition, people, and culture to gain monopolistic power and profit over the nutmeg spice.” –Mat Larson Krisetya, executive lead, organizational health
“The Ancients” by John Larison

This gripping, dystopian novel is set in a future shaped by climate change, where humanity’s last survivors struggle to navigate a crumbling world. When a young boy and his sisters are left orphaned in a deserted fishing village, they embark on a perilous journey across a ravaged landscape in search of their people. Meanwhile, their mother, captive in a decaying empire, joins forces with fellow prisoners plotting revolt. At the heart of the empire, a young scholar grapples with his inheritance and debts as the elite prepare to escape to a new utopia. This powerful, layered narrative explores themes of survival, resilience, and the fight for the future of humanity, asking who will inherit the earth and how we will honor its story.
“This book is set in a post-climate-apocalypse world where civilization has rebuilt itself and is already suffering the consequences of poor land management and a changing climate. The book features a classic ‘those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it’ lesson, and it is also full of adventure and love, reminding us that the earth will continue to hold beauty and bounty for future generations if we can work to preserve it.” –Nick Haeg, senior policy associate, electric vehicles
“Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism” by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchinson

An insightful examination of the ideological force that has dominated our world for decades, Monbiot and Hutchison dismantle the myth of neoliberalism as a natural, inevitable system, revealing how the elite engineered it to ensure their control over politics, economics, and society. This book connects the dots between the climate crisis, economic inequality, and the erosion of public services, showing how neoliberalism has fueled all of these crises by elevating profit over people. The authors take readers on a journey through its history from its origins in the 1930s to its contemporary manifestation, and argue that this doctrine has exacerbated global inequalities – and offering a roadmap for buidling a more just, participatory society.
“A short but concise history of neo-liberalism. An understanding of how this system pervades our lives with subtle yet dire consequences. An ideology which has transformed our world and creates an unequal system where our uneasy relationship with privatization of wealth at the expense of our environment, is what’s contributing to our climate ill-health.” –Mat Larson Krisetya, executive lead, organizational health
Forthcoming books we’re excited to read in 2025
“Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie” by Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty | Publication Date: May 27, 2025

This is a compelling exploration of the American Prairie, a marvel of ecological diversity now on the brink of disappearing. Written by two veteran Star Tribune journalists with a few stories central to Minnesota, this book summarizes the prairie’s vast network of grasses, grazers, and predators that will resonant with Minnesotans. It provides a short history on how the prairie has transformed over the past two centuries, including displacement of indigenous peoples, the destruction of wildlife, and the degradation of the land itself. Today, the prairie faces renewed threats from industrial agriculture and climate change, and this book offers an insightful, urgent call to action.
“I’ve been eagerly awaiting a book like ‘Sea of Grass’ and quickly read the Advanced Reader Copy this winter. It felt very relevant to me: I grew up on a corn and soybean farm in southwestern Minnesota and converted hundreds of acres to native grasses and wetlands through the state’s Conservation Reserve Program. I love that this book offers a compelling history of the prairies and delves into how industrial agriculture and land conservation are inextricably tied to climate action and a sustainable future, while noting the deep responsibility to land, conservation, and community that farmers and ranchers hold. With a short note on sustainable aviation fuel and an overview of a climate project in Crookston — topics familiar to our blog readers — ‘Sea of Grass is’ an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of agriculture, conservation, and climate change and one I’m recommending to my friends and colleagues.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“No Straight Road Takes You There: Essays for Uneven Terrain” by Rebecca Solnit | Publication Date: May 13, 2025.

This collection of essays will blend personal reflection with political and literary insight, exploring themes of climate change, feminism, democracy, and hope. Through her writing, Solnit emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, memory, and the transformative power of reimagining the stories we tell.
“Solnit has long been a vital voice in examining the pressing issues of our time, offering wisdom and clarity on societal challenges. This book is sure to be a crucial guide, particularly as we navigate the uncertain future of climate policy.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy | Publication Date: March 4, 2025

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is a captivating tale set on a remote island near Antarctica, where a family’s isolation is disrupted when a mysterious woman washes ashore during a powerful storm. As the storm intensifies, secrets unravel and survival becomes a matter of trust, love, and the protection of the island’s vital seed bank amidst a changing world.
“McConaghy has already captivated me with two excellent, dark climate fiction books, ‘Migrations’ and ‘Once There Were Wolves.’ I’m eager to check out her newest when it comes out in March, and I’m anticipating another immersive, environmentally-resonant narrative that I’ve come to expect from her. If her storytelling is as compelling as the last two, I expect to read it in a few days.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless” by Tamara Dean | Publication Date: April 22, 2025

This book from the University of Minnesota Press weaves a deeply personal and insightful narrative of living in harmony with nature amid the environmental crises of the twenty-first century. Set in the Driftless Area – a remarkable landscape untouched by glaciers spanning the area where Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa meet – Dean reflects on the challenges and rewards of living sustainably.
“I don’t make the rules: when a book about climate change in our region comes out, I’m bound to read it. And while the Boundary Waters claims its place as Minnesota’s premier and celebrated landscape, I’d argue that the Driftless Area, with its stunning bluffs, cold streams, and unique ecotopes, is equally deserving of recognition. I’ve had an Advanced Reader Copy of “Shelter and Storm” on my e-reader for a while now, and something tells me it will be the perfect spring read as the plants begin to green up and the world comes back to life.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer
“Carbon: The Book of Life” by Paul Hawken | Publication Date: March 18, 2025

Hawken presents an expansive exploration of carbon, the essential element that sustains all life on Earth. While often vilified for its role in climate change as carbon dioxide, Hawken reminds us that carbon as the thread that connects everything — plants, animals, fungi, and human existence — emphasizing its fundamental role in life’s continuity and interconnectedness.
“I’ve admired Paul Hawken’s work with Project Drawdown, which provides a clear and impactful roadmap for tackling climate change by prioritizing proven solutions. Based on that alone and my background in ecology, I’m intrigued to read this one.” –Isak Kvam, senior communications associate, writer.