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Backstage Climate: The Science and Politics Behind Climate Change
About the Book
This book will demystify climate change for you and give you a glimpse into the science, politics and economics behind it as well the solutions that can save us from this crisis.
2023 was the hottest year on record. 2024 may well be worse. Every day we hear something unusual. A fire here, a flood there, a storm surge, a cloudburst. These events affect all of us, our well-being, our health, our family, our work. Their frequency and intensity are increasing. Fortunately, however, we no longer lack explanations for these events. We know fossil fuels and the destruction of Nature by us humans are the primary reasons. Backstage Climate is an attempt to demystify this grim reality—the science, the politics and the economics behind climate change. It will also give you a glimpse of the policies, technology and solutions that can help us avoid a climate crisis.
Awareness is the first step towards change, and this book is an attempt to make you aware of global warming and climate change in a simple and interesting manner. Going slightly beyond mere awareness, the attempt is to help the reader connect the dots and develop a perspective on the reasons, impact and solutions that can help us avoid a climate crisis.
About the Author
Rajan Mehta is a serial tech entrepreneur who earlier worked in senior positions with companies like Motorola and Nortel. He recently took a sabbatical and went to Harvard to learn about climate change and is currently building Climate Action Labs to research and push initiatives that can help avoid a climate crisis.
This book will demystify climate change for you and give you a glimpse into the science, politics and economics behind it as well the solutions that can save us from this crisis.
2023 was the hottest year on record. 2024 may well be worse. Every day we hear something unusual. A fire here, a flood there, a storm surge, a cloudburst. These events affect all of us, our well-being, our health, our family, our work. Their frequency and intensity are increasing. Fortunately, however, we no longer lack explanations for these events. We know fossil fuels and the destruction of Nature by us humans are the primary reasons. Backstage Climate is an attempt to demystify this grim reality—the science, the politics and the economics behind climate change. It will also give you a glimpse of the policies, technology and solutions that can help us avoid a climate crisis.
Awareness is the first step towards change, and this book is an attempt to make you aware of global warming and climate change in a simple and interesting manner. Going slightly beyond mere awareness, the attempt is to help the reader connect the dots and develop a perspective on the reasons, impact and solutions that can help us avoid a climate crisis.
About the Author
Rajan Mehta is a serial tech entrepreneur who earlier worked in senior positions with companies like Motorola and Nortel. He recently took a sabbatical and went to Harvard to learn about climate change and is currently building Climate Action Labs to research and push initiatives that can help avoid a climate crisis.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2024
13 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 26, 2024
The book takes a holistic view of the different aspects of climate change - What causes it, How individuals, companies and governments are reacting to it and what all of them can do and are doing about it. The book takes complex concepts and distills them in easy to read language without dumbing them down. The science, the politics and the environmental impact of Climate change is covered very well.
August 8, 2025
The beginning of the book was a solid refresher grounded in well-explained concepts and backed by evidence, it felt like revisiting the core fundamentals of climate science.
As it progressed, the tone leaned more towards optimism, which at first felt overly simplified, but in retrospect added a broader, more holistic perspective to the crisis we face.
While my academic and professional lens tends to seek out more realism and complexity, I appreciated how the book made space for both urgency and hope. It’s a reminder that solutions need both facts and vision.
As it progressed, the tone leaned more towards optimism, which at first felt overly simplified, but in retrospect added a broader, more holistic perspective to the crisis we face.
While my academic and professional lens tends to seek out more realism and complexity, I appreciated how the book made space for both urgency and hope. It’s a reminder that solutions need both facts and vision.
December 8, 2024
Rajan Mehta is a serial tech entrepreneur known for his leadership roles at major companies such as Motorola and Nortel. He is currently the founder of Climate Action Labs and has recently authored the book Backstage Climate: The Science and Politics Behind Climate Change.
The book serves as an accessible primer on climate change, aiming to clarify the complexities surrounding the issue.
The book addresses fundamental questions about climate change, including:
What is climate change and its causes?
What are greenhouse gases and their effects?
What actions have been taken at the policy level?
Why is climate action often perceived as insufficient?
What role can individuals play in combating climate change?
The content is presented in a reader-friendly format, utilizing short pieces and engaging illustrations to make the information more digestible. Mehta emphasizes the urgency of understanding climate change, as it is a topic that increasingly influences global conversations and policy decisions. Rajan Mehta's background in the fast-paced tech industry likely informs his pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to the complex challenge of climate change. His goal is to demystify science and politics to spur more awareness and action.
Rajan Mehta was inspired to write Backstage Climate due to the pressing nature of climate change and the perceived inadequacy of current climate action. He observed that despite decades of warnings from scientists, journalists, and activists, meaningful progress in addressing climate change has been minimal. This led him to question whether the public and policymakers truly understand the issue well enough to care and act effectively.
One of the most interesting concepts explained in the book is about a circular economy. It is a production and consumption model designed to minimize waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, based on three core principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products in use, and regenerating natural systems.
In conclusion, Mehta aims to demystify climate change by explaining essential concepts such as greenhouse gases and the various policy measures in place to combat the crisis. He uses engaging illustrations and short pieces to make the subject accessible, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action. His goal is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its implications for society, encouraging informed discussions and actions
The book serves as an accessible primer on climate change, aiming to clarify the complexities surrounding the issue.
The book addresses fundamental questions about climate change, including:
What is climate change and its causes?
What are greenhouse gases and their effects?
What actions have been taken at the policy level?
Why is climate action often perceived as insufficient?
What role can individuals play in combating climate change?
The content is presented in a reader-friendly format, utilizing short pieces and engaging illustrations to make the information more digestible. Mehta emphasizes the urgency of understanding climate change, as it is a topic that increasingly influences global conversations and policy decisions. Rajan Mehta's background in the fast-paced tech industry likely informs his pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to the complex challenge of climate change. His goal is to demystify science and politics to spur more awareness and action.
Rajan Mehta was inspired to write Backstage Climate due to the pressing nature of climate change and the perceived inadequacy of current climate action. He observed that despite decades of warnings from scientists, journalists, and activists, meaningful progress in addressing climate change has been minimal. This led him to question whether the public and policymakers truly understand the issue well enough to care and act effectively.
One of the most interesting concepts explained in the book is about a circular economy. It is a production and consumption model designed to minimize waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, based on three core principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products in use, and regenerating natural systems.
In conclusion, Mehta aims to demystify climate change by explaining essential concepts such as greenhouse gases and the various policy measures in place to combat the crisis. He uses engaging illustrations and short pieces to make the subject accessible, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action. His goal is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its implications for society, encouraging informed discussions and actions
October 13, 2025
Rajan Mehta’s Backstage Climate positions itself not merely as another book about global warming, but as a clarifying guide through the often-confusing maze of science, policy, and human behavior that shapes our planetary crisis.
Published in the wake of record-breaking heatwaves and unprecedented natural disasters, the book arrives at a moment when public concern about climate change is widespread, yet genuine understanding remains patchy.
Mehta’s central promise—to demystify the issue—frames this work as both educational and empowering.
The book is organized in three interwoven strands: the science, the politics, and the economics of climate change. Mehta begins with the fundamentals—how greenhouse gases trap heat, why fossil fuel dependence drives global warming, and how natural systems like forests and oceans are struggling to maintain equilibrium.
These early chapters are written in plain, vivid language, supported by analogies and examples that make complex atmospheric processes accessible even to readers without a scientific background.
One of Mehta’s strengths lies in his ability to bridge scientific rigor with narrative readability. The prose is clear, occasionally conversational, and free of unnecessary jargon.
He frequently grounds abstract data in lived experiences—linking global temperature rise to local events such as floods, fires, and crop failures. This human-centered framing transforms climate change from an academic abstraction into an immediate, relatable reality.
Moreover, Backstage Climate succeeds in balancing alarm with agency. Mehta does not indulge in despair; instead, he treats awareness as the first step toward collective and individual transformation.
Backstage Climate stands out as a lucid and timely contribution to public climate discourse. Mehta's interdisciplinary approach - combining environmental science, political analysis, and economic reasoning makes the book an excellent primer for readers who seek clarity amid the noise of climate debates.
It is not a dense treatise nor a radical manifesto, but rather an invitation to think critically, act consciously and engage empathetically with the planet's most urgent challenge. In an era when misinformation clouds public understanding, Backstage Climate provides exactly what it's title promises : look behind the scenes of the world's defining crises.
Must read♥️♥️
Published in the wake of record-breaking heatwaves and unprecedented natural disasters, the book arrives at a moment when public concern about climate change is widespread, yet genuine understanding remains patchy.
Mehta’s central promise—to demystify the issue—frames this work as both educational and empowering.
The book is organized in three interwoven strands: the science, the politics, and the economics of climate change. Mehta begins with the fundamentals—how greenhouse gases trap heat, why fossil fuel dependence drives global warming, and how natural systems like forests and oceans are struggling to maintain equilibrium.
These early chapters are written in plain, vivid language, supported by analogies and examples that make complex atmospheric processes accessible even to readers without a scientific background.
One of Mehta’s strengths lies in his ability to bridge scientific rigor with narrative readability. The prose is clear, occasionally conversational, and free of unnecessary jargon.
He frequently grounds abstract data in lived experiences—linking global temperature rise to local events such as floods, fires, and crop failures. This human-centered framing transforms climate change from an academic abstraction into an immediate, relatable reality.
Moreover, Backstage Climate succeeds in balancing alarm with agency. Mehta does not indulge in despair; instead, he treats awareness as the first step toward collective and individual transformation.
Backstage Climate stands out as a lucid and timely contribution to public climate discourse. Mehta's interdisciplinary approach - combining environmental science, political analysis, and economic reasoning makes the book an excellent primer for readers who seek clarity amid the noise of climate debates.
It is not a dense treatise nor a radical manifesto, but rather an invitation to think critically, act consciously and engage empathetically with the planet's most urgent challenge. In an era when misinformation clouds public understanding, Backstage Climate provides exactly what it's title promises : look behind the scenes of the world's defining crises.
Must read♥️♥️
December 1, 2025
Firstly, I loved the way this book has been structured in a short topic wise format driven by a question followed by seeking answers to the same.
I am glad the author tried to squeeze in an Indic lens wherever possible, like starting with the Shiva hypothesis or introducing Paris Climate with Samudra Manthan. Although it might always not provide solutions but definitely draws attention of an ordinary Indian.
Instead of being preachy, interesting to read through the facts presented as facts. Also loved those fun little drawings at the end of each chapter. Like setting the AC at 24°C - if ppl already know it, at least it stands as a reminder.
Although it may not be a textbook but for sure has a ton of facts. Could be used as a quick reference too or a brief dive into the topic.
Amused with the Gandhian touch at the end - A-Z (individual contributions)
Thanks to the format of the book, one can start reading from any place in the book, of course except for a few chapters that had follow-up topics/questions.
Not criticism but more like another PoV:
Certain topics seemed like were concluded sooner, especially at the beginning. But I also get it, as the topic could be dived deeper if the reader wanted to.
As the book progresses, topics get a bit more complicated to understand but looks like it was intended to the audience who wanted to understand the space more clearly than having a superficial knowledge of it.
It would be good to see the author write another book maybe targeted at the younger ones (focussed on Indian kids maybe). Especially considering the depth of knowledge he could have in this space and the ease of integrating it with our mythology/history.
I wish this book my best and of course grateful to have been out at the right time!!
I am glad the author tried to squeeze in an Indic lens wherever possible, like starting with the Shiva hypothesis or introducing Paris Climate with Samudra Manthan. Although it might always not provide solutions but definitely draws attention of an ordinary Indian.
Instead of being preachy, interesting to read through the facts presented as facts. Also loved those fun little drawings at the end of each chapter. Like setting the AC at 24°C - if ppl already know it, at least it stands as a reminder.
Although it may not be a textbook but for sure has a ton of facts. Could be used as a quick reference too or a brief dive into the topic.
Amused with the Gandhian touch at the end - A-Z (individual contributions)
Thanks to the format of the book, one can start reading from any place in the book, of course except for a few chapters that had follow-up topics/questions.
Not criticism but more like another PoV:
Certain topics seemed like were concluded sooner, especially at the beginning. But I also get it, as the topic could be dived deeper if the reader wanted to.
As the book progresses, topics get a bit more complicated to understand but looks like it was intended to the audience who wanted to understand the space more clearly than having a superficial knowledge of it.
It would be good to see the author write another book maybe targeted at the younger ones (focussed on Indian kids maybe). Especially considering the depth of knowledge he could have in this space and the ease of integrating it with our mythology/history.
I wish this book my best and of course grateful to have been out at the right time!!
August 25, 2024
Backstage Climate by Rajan Mehta couldn't have come at a better time than this.
The book provides you so many insights to learn from. I love the approach that the author has taken in first explaining Climate Change in simple terms by using easy examples and then moving on to the bigger picture of the politics behind it all.
It is a wonderful book for beginners to learn from. You don't need to be from a specific academic background to read this book. The simplicity of the language used is what makes Backstage Climate an easy read for all.
This book is great for those who are looking to learn more about climate change and how policies around this work on the National and International front. And with that even beginners can pick this book because it takes you on a journey from scratch.
The book provides you so many insights to learn from. I love the approach that the author has taken in first explaining Climate Change in simple terms by using easy examples and then moving on to the bigger picture of the politics behind it all.
It is a wonderful book for beginners to learn from. You don't need to be from a specific academic background to read this book. The simplicity of the language used is what makes Backstage Climate an easy read for all.
This book is great for those who are looking to learn more about climate change and how policies around this work on the National and International front. And with that even beginners can pick this book because it takes you on a journey from scratch.
October 19, 2025
It’s a must read for every climate enthusiast who really wants to understand the science and politics behind climate change. The author has brought out the facts in a seamless fashion, enabling the reader to comprehend the situation better.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews