30 minutes to go, waiting room open!
If you’ve received this email, it’s because you’ve signed up for the Climate Solutions Book Club or someone has forwarded you this email. We read one climate change related book each month and then meet up on Zoom to discuss.
If you’ve been forwarded this email and want to sign up, click the button below to sign up.
Dear All,
First, let me apologise for sending this to folks who have already said they cannot attend. (Substack doesn’t allow me to only send to some people).
I wanted to send out a last-minute reminder of details; I know what it’s like looking for emails in my inbox!
The meeting will start in 30 minutes at 7.30 pm BST; the waiting room is now open if you want to join early!
This month, we’re discussing Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism with the author Steve Willis. If you’ve not had a chance to read the book yet you can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
Below, you will find information on the following:
Zoom details for meeting
Books we’ll be voting on to read in June and July 2025
Steve Willis will join our next meeting!
April 2025’s book and time and date of meeting
May 2025’s book and time and date of meeting
Facebook Group
Book club rules
Books from previous months
1. Zoom details for meeting
Paul Dawson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83552071947?pwd=PbNVxDpyR6bLWkDgt1MK3HHswmXqJL.1
Meeting ID: 835 5207 1947
Passcode: 506357
2. Books we’ll be voting on to read in June and July 2025
These are the books we’ll vote on in our meeting this Thursday (17th of April) to select the books we’ll read in June and July.
The Collapse of Western Civilzation: A View From the Future by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
Little Great Island: A Novel by Kate Woodworth. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity by Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Owen Gaffney, Jayati Ghosh, J rgen Randers, Johan Rockstr m, and Per Espen Stoknes. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
The End of Eden: Wild Nature in the Age of Climate Breakdown by Adam Welz. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
Ten Billion by Stephen Emmott. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
The Deluge by Stephen Markley. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
3. Steve Willis will join our next meeting
Great News! Steve Willis author of Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism will join our next meeting on the 17th of April! I hope you will be able to join us too.
4. April 2025’s book and time and date of meeting
The book we’ll be reading in March will be Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism by Steve Willis. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
The April meeting will be at 19.30 BST (please note the time change in the UK; check local time) on Thursday, the 17th of April 2025.
5. May 2025’s book and time and date of meeting
The book we’ll be reading in May will be End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration by Peter Turchin. You can find more information about this book on GoodReads here.
The May meeting will be at 19.30 BST (please note the time change in the UK; check local time) on Thursday, the 15th of May 2025.
6. Facebook group
Leon has kindly set up a Facebook group for the book club. To join please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/1138238091045018/ and request to join.
7. Book Club Rules
Rule 1 - Do: Talk about book club!
An excellent side effect of this book club would be more conversations about climate change. Talking about climate change is one of the most important things you could do to fight climate change. A great TED talk here if you are interested.
Rule 2 - Do: Read the book (or at least attempt to)
I get it. Sometimes, you don’t have time to read or dislike the book so much that you can’t bring yourself to finish it. Either way, do try to read each meeting’s book to contribute to the discussion.
Rule 3 - Do: Speak up
Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, even if you disagree with the rest of your group. If everyone says the same thing, there won’t be much in the way of interesting discussion. So, let your unique voice be heard.
Rule 4 - Don’t: Steamroll or abruptly interrupt
Don't hog the conversation. Everyone's opinion matters, so it's essential to ensure everyone gets a chance to express themselves.
Rule 5 - Don’t: Feel like you have to weigh in every time.
If you don’t feel like you have something unique to say on a particular topic of conversation, it’s okay to listen. No need to repeat what others have already said!
Rule 6 - Do: Take your turn and be polite.
Sometimes, multiple people will want to contribute at the same time. If you end up in the awkward situation of talking at the same time, graciously let the other person go first and then add on to what they say.
Rule 7 - Don’t: Force anyone to contribute.
Putting a fellow book club member on the spot can make them feel uncomfortable. So instead, keep the environment welcoming, so everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts when they’re ready.
Rule 8 - Don’t: Veer away from the book
It can be easy to get sidetracked and begin talking about other books, the latest episode of You, or real life. Staying on the subject will keep the book club focused and fun.
8. Books from previous months
Some folks asked for a list of the previous books we’ve read. You can find a list of them here. You can click on each on the books to open a space to comment on the book and read other’s comments too.
If you have any questions, drop me an email.
Best wishes,
Paul