About the Book
An inspirational guide to discussing and fighting climate change for millennial and GenZ voters that cuts through the usual myths and scare tactics to provide practical advice.
Will Hackman is a Millennial, and he is pissed. Two wars, two global economic catastrophes, and a pandemic combined with a ballooning cost-of-living crisis and crushing student loan debt can do that to a person. But there’s one thing that compounds these challenges that is unequaled in human history: the ticking time bomb of fossil fuel emissions. Millennials and Gen-Zers will be left to deal with the worst of the climate change fallout well after those responsible have passed away. And we have never been more divided.
In Radically Reframing Climate Change: A Guide to Saving Ourselves, Will Hackman identifies three main obstacles to solving climate change: polarization, paralysis, and stale, ineffective messaging. He empowers readers to turn their anxiety or apathy into passion, and anger into action at the personal, community, and government levels. The climate rallying cries to “Save the Planet” no longer work in our hyper-partisan world, nor do images of polar bears on melting glaciers. The problem isn’t scientific, fact-based, or even technological. It’s political, emotional, and ideological. Hackman provides a path forward for engagement and voter mobilization that combats apathy, dread, and resentment, and builds greater issue identification.
Hackman reframes the climate crisis as a humanity crisis, arguing that we must change how we think and talk about climate change, both in our conversations with non-believers and among those who care. Assuring humanity’s place on a changing planet will require a near universal level of public support we will never reach if we keep making the same mistakes. We know how to do this. But the stakes have never been higher and time is running out.
Table of Contents:
Author’s Note
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: What It All Means: A Positive Vision of the Future
Chapter 2: The Politics of Growing Energy Demand and The Problem of US Supply
Chapter 3: Three Obstacles to Solving Climate Change
Chapter 4: Mythbusting and Perils of the Blame Game
Interlude: From Anger to Agency
Chapter 5: Mitigation, Adaptation, Loss and Damage
Chapter 6: Reframing How We Think About Climate Change
Chapter 7: Reframing How We Talk About Climate Change
Chapter 8: How to Enact Change at the Personal Level
Chapter 9: How To Enact Change at The Local and Community Level
Chapter 10: How to Enact Change at the Federal Level
Conclusion
Notes
Index
About the Author
About the Author :
Will Hackman has more than fifteen years’ experience working in US political campaigns, public policy process, strategic communications, coalition building, climate activism, and global environmental conservation advocacy. Will is a frequent climate policy expert voice online and in the media and has been interviewed on several climate change-related podcasts and filmed a TEDx in 2022. His writing has appeared in The Hill and Washington Post. He lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Front Royal, Virginia with his wife Paula, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains and the north entrance to Shenandoah National Park.
Review :
Mobilizing the huge bloc of younger voters in the service of the common good—and of their own—may be key to surviving the decades ahead. This book comes through with some interesting notions about how that might be done!
Will Hackman has given us a vital manual for our time: urgent without despair, practical without naiveté, and deeply human throughout. By reframing climate change not as an abstract planetary crisis but as a profoundly personal and political challenge, he opens the door to agency, solidarity, and lasting change. This book is a rallying call for Millennials, Gen Z, and indeed all of us who refuse to give up on a livable, thriving future.
Hackman offers practical, effective strategies for fighting climate change even in times of intense polarization and partisanship. For anyone wondering how to actually make a difference on climate issues, this book is for you.
Radically Reframing Climate Change is a timely and transformative guide that speaks directly to the next generation of climate leaders. Will Hackman masterfully cuts through the noise—dispelling myths, challenging fear-based narratives, and offering a hopeful roadmap for meaningful action. This book provides practical strategies for personal, community, and national engagement, and reframes the climate crisis as a shared opportunity to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future. A must-read for anyone ready to turn climate anxiety into meaningful impact.
Talking about climate change is hard, but this book makes it easier and more effective. With sharp insights and strategies grounded in real campaign experience, Will Hackman equips readers to cut through myths, engage skeptics, and reenergize believers. From kitchen-table conversations to national movements, Hackman shows how anyone can reframe climate change as a human story and build momentum for bold solutions.
Radically Reframing Climate Change offers an inspiring message of engaged optimism and active hope for an emerging movement of millions across the Gen Z and Millennial generations who care deeply about the environment and are ready to make a positive difference in the world. Hackman’s book is alive with insightful interviews, fresh ideas, and accessible practices for responsible growth in creating a place where everyone can flourish together and find a deeper sense of purpose.
Will Hackman hits the nail on the head with his book on empowering the climate voter. He shows, through his real-world experiences, that everyone has a role to play in helping combat one of the most pernicious threats to humanity. The book is timely and insightful— highly recommended!
More now than ever before, we must understand that radical optimism isn't wistful or delusional—it's a practice, and one we must keep showing up for. The future we'll wake up to 5, 10, 25 years from now, depends on the narratives we shape today and how willing we are to show up to make them a reality. This book is an important reminder that we not only have the ability to shape that future in our minds, but that there are practical and necessary steps we can take to shape it daily. Hackman brings invaluable insights from years of experience working in politics and public engagement, and this is your guide to make the most of your time here on Earth.
Regardless of what you think or where you fall on the political spectrum, Will Hackman has written a book that will make you pay attention, sit up, and take notice.
Will Hackman is an experienced organizer and fluid writer. Radically Reframing Climate Change provides timely, positive ideas for thinking anew about public engagement to improve the lives of current and future generations. Anyone interested in exploring an optimistic vision for solving the climate crisis should read this book.
