A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis

by Meera Subramanian, Meera Subramanian

"Helpful and hopeful." —John Green, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars

A Better World Is Possible is a comprehensive and graphic novel guide on climate change and what you can do about it.

As climate change quickens—bringing with it extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and humanitarian crises—four teens help organize the world’s largest climate protest. Hundreds of thousands join them, taking to the streets of New York City and demanding answers. How did climate change get this bad? Who’s to blame? And most What can we do about it?

In their stunning graphic novel, New York Times best-selling illustrator Danica Novgorodoff and award-winning environmental journalist Meera Subramanian share experiences from their lives and those of the four youth activists. Through their stories, we learn the science behind our changing planet and explore solutions at hand. They show us that anyone can make meaningful change, because a better world is possible—and together, we can create it!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, Science, Environment

208 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Meera Subramanian is an award-winning freelance journalist who writes narrative nonfiction about home, in the personal and planetary sense, in a time of climate crisis. Her work has appeared in publications such as Nature, The New York Times, The NewYorker.com, and Orion, where she is a contributing editor. She is the co-author of A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis, a nonfiction YA graphic novel (coming out in March, 2026) and author of A River Runs Again: India’s Natural World in Crisis. She also teaches creative nonfiction at Sewanee School of Letters MFA program in Tennessee. A National Geographic Explorer and recipient of multiple grants, fellowships, and residencies, she is a perpetual wanderer who can't stop digging in the dirt to plant perennials and looking up in search of birds from her home base atop a glacial moraine on the Atlantic's western edge. You can find her at www.meerasub.org.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely combination of inspiration and action

[Steff Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have somewhat mixed feelings about Meera Subramanian and Danica Novgorodoff’s A Better World Is Possible.

Largely, I think the formatting and, perhaps more importantly, the pacing were not for me. I honestly didn’t care at all for the organizational structure in which this book was presented and would have much preferred one that began and focused more on education about the climate crisis and then ended with the personal experiences of the authors and people they knew. Interspersing those stories throughout while “interluding” the educational aspects of this topic made the read feel clunky and disjointed.

Now, I can fully recognize that this might be a me problem—but I also know that I will not be the only person to feel that way.

This does not undermine, fully, the importance of the information that is presented and the degree to which this book could support someone’s understanding of climate change and supplement their journey toward building this better world. I think there are many who will find this read immeasurably impactful, even if I am not one of them. Thus, I’m sort of left appreciating this book for existing, but also recognizing that I am not a good audience for it. With that, as an educator, this is one of those reads that I’d probably curate specifically for students I imagine will benefit from access to it.

I definitely appreciated the beautiful artwork throughout; it’s definitely the shining star of the book for me.

[Matt Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel will be my new go-to to introduce people, especially young people, to the climate crisis. There are four real world gen z narrarators representing the authors who tell their story and how their experiences led them to climate activism. The book is beautifully illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff, who does a lot of illustrations for the NY Times, if you read that news source at all, you will probably recognize her style. The information is accurate and comprensive, especially focusing on the effects that are already impacting millions of people across the planet and the injustice inherent in our current climate chaos. I particularly liked the chapter on climate grief and anxiety, which has definitely been a real challenge for me since the 90s when I first became aware of the climate crisis in middle school. It was reaffirming that so many, especially in gen z and younger, are facing this too. The answer is NEVER denial or doomerism but action. As a middle aged person now (44 years), I have 30+ years of perspective on this issue and the growth in awareness of the crisis, and the growth in solutions to fix it (over time) is truly amazing, even as the effects of climate change have moved from "the future" to "in your face every day". The book ends on the positive note of solutions to the climate crisis through the setting of the 2019 youth climate strike, which was a truly inspiring event. I also appreciate how the book does a great job not leaving out how racism, sexism and economic greed are interwoven into this crisis, and how we cannot simply do a tech fix to this problem with renewables. Im glad I found this book to both re center my own efforts and reconnect with the reasons why we as humanity can not and will not quit in this effort to preserve and protect the earth.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read! As an environmental biologist, this really hit home and I’m so glad a book like this exists.

The illustrations were amazing! I loved how incredibly detailed they were and they added so much to the book. I think a graphic novel like this is the perfect way to deliver this incredibly important information to young readers.

I felt like this was the perfect combination of personal narrative and factual information. I enjoyed the personal reflections of the authors and how they became interested in the climate crisis. But there was still so much factual information about it added in in just the right way.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the current situation of the climate crisis. It was informative, engaging, and hopeful!

Thank you to Fierce Reads for sharing an early copy of this book with me!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading a Better World is Possible to my five year old at bed time and it has been so so fascinating to see what interests him. He certainly hears the term climate change in our house and yet I think he is still a bit too young to be scared of it. He is scared of flooding but he still struggles with the difference between yesterday and tomorrow so a future in which flooding is getting worse is still a little abstract. And so in a weird way I think he is a great audience for this book and I will tell you why. Because he is learning, thanks to A Better World is Possible, about parts per million and wildfires and corporate greed at the same time that he is seeing kids go on strike and demanding change. Yes he asked me what climate grief was (there is a whole chapter devoted to it) and also what it meant to strike! Woven throughout the book are stories of what can be accomplished when people get together to fight for change change. How wonderful that he is getting introduced to climate change at the same time that he is learning about the power of working with others. So, I love this book. It is such a gift.

[Comix 4 All · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comix 4 All
The Graphic Library Book 11

From a Comics Librarian’s desk:
A Better World Is Possible amplifies global youth voices on the climate crisis through powerful graphic storytelling. What stories are shaping your world? Discover more with Comix 4 All! #comics

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. The situation brought me to tears many times to learn how avoidable this emergency has been. Please share this with friends and everybody!

[Tenzin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, hopeful, and direct

[Ashley Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously presented crash course on the fight against the climate crisis and how today's youth are inspiring others to take action.

[Rusty Diggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a beautiful testament to believing in the goodness of humanity. It gives me hope in a time where politics around the climate crisis can feel hopeless. The last pages brought me to tears! Such incredible visuals and insightful text!

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I know this book is not being released until March of 2026, but I was so blown away, I couldn’t wait to review it! A Better World is possible is a graphic novel dispatch that channels teenage climate organizers is energizing instead of preachy. The youth-led POV packages heavy science into accessible panels.

A Better World is Possible introduces several people, who became activists in their teens. There are flashbacks as well as current events to tell the narrative. There are scientists and climatologists, as well as public figures. Each describes a different part of the climate crisis through text and illustrations.

My kids all understand the climate crisis, yet many of their friends don’t. The evidence shown in this book for youth leaves little doubt that the planet is in serious trouble, mainly from industrialized nations like the United States and China. More importantly, the book tells the reader the many different ways they can help. I can see that this is an important climate change graphic “novel” that should be ordered for public and school libraries.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazingly well done book! An easy and very compelling read. I'm seriously now figuring out what I can do to improve the world!

[Robbie]

The start of this graphic novel is a little confusing. It introduces all the main characters. Then, it starts with the first character in 2019. The timeline goes to the past after three pages. Then it connects with another person and goes back in time a few pages later. However, once further in the book, the information flows, and the interludes help a lot with specific information.

The graphics are beautiful, whether full page or cut up into portions on the page. The advice at the end of the book should help young adults (high school, college, and beyond) to take small actions without worrying that they can't do everything. At the end of the book is a lovely set of recommendations to read, listen, watch, play, and get involved.

My favorite quote used on page 201: "Every single action is a raindrop. They flow together, becoming a force as unstoppable as that of gravity. Remember that water has the power to cut through rock."

I will be purchasing this for my high school.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Matthew Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starred review in Booklist, available at: https://www.booklistonline.com/produc...

From that review: "The creators don’t shy away from any of the emotions evoked by the climate crisis—fear, anxiety, grief, and hope are all here in equal measure. Novgorodoff’s watercolor style is absolutely perfect for this topic, showcasing both the power of visual comics metaphors and the beauty of the natural world. The interludes on ecological grief and religion’s importance in climate action are particularly important, as neither of these topics has seen sufficient attention in other climate comics."

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction graphic novel uses the experiences of four teens who helped organize the world's largest climate protest—in New York, 2019—to explore the history and impact of the climate crisis. Readers learn the background of each young person, and of the author and illustrator of the graphic novel, and how their interest in caring for our planet brought them together. All artwork is in full color in formats ranging from panels to full-page illustrations. The book thoroughly examines what we know about the impact of human activities on the climate and emphasizes the ways corporate interests have denied climate science for decades. The creators have also drawn clear connections between the climate crisis and injustice around the globe. There is a balance between the personal narratives and straight-forward facts. "Interludes" provide a deep dive on various aspects of climate change; including explorations of ecological grief and perspectives on climate from major world religions. A detailed timeline in the middle of the book spans 6 pages and explores events in four categories (science, big oil, policy/action, technology) over the past 250 years. At just over 200 pages this text is not for the casual reader. It is, however, a powerful tool for those who want to learn more about what is happening with the climate and how the climate crisis is already changing the shape of life on Earth. Ultimately, the book urges readers not to lose hope, noting that hope is not passive, but requires action. Many suggestions for taking action are included. The book concludes with updates on the featured young activists and several pages of resources including books, websites, podcasts, and organizations. Those resources and more are linked on the website tied to the graphic novel, making this an excellent resource for budding climate activists.

Recommended for readers in grades 8 and up.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Better World is Possible, authors Meera Subramanian and Danica Novgorodoff confront the challenge of creating a graphic novel to educate and inspire teens about the climate crisis. Novgorodoff’s artwork is brilliant. Full color illustrations throughout draw the reader’s attention, highlight diversity, and effectively display information and facts. Suggested reading lists are incorporated naturally, rather than in the backmatter. The book, oversized and much larger than the average graphic novel, is split into chapters called “Interludes”, which include individual stories of real young adult climate activists as well as deep-dives into wildfires, ecological grief, and religion’s impact on climate justice. The book concludes with an interlude titled “Solutions!” that cycles through many positive possibilities for change, progress, and how individuals can make an impact. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing, beautifully illustrated, graphic novel about 4 young climate activists who spearheaded the climate march on Washington in 2018. The book also showcases the author and illustrator's work together to come up with the book as well as their journeys in climate activism. There are a lot of interludes and asides including climate solutions, climate action and religion, and more!

I have a concern that although this book was just published, the story that focusses on 2018 seems a bit dated. Also I am not an expert on climate solutions, but I know that ethanol is no longer a green solution and is actually worse for the climate than petroleum if it is made out of corn, but it is listed as one of the climate solutions. So how carefully did they research the solutions?

Overall this is a wonderful book that answers kids' deep anxieties. It does share very scary information so I would recommend not sharing it with kids younger than 5th grade and up.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Better World I Possible is a bright, informative and interesting picture book offering students ideas for change in battling the climate crises. I appreciate the global approach with the inclusion of Young activities from around the world, and from a variety of cultures. It brings home to the reader that climate change is a world problem, not a national one. I also appreciate the chapter on how scary and depressing it can be to face the facts of our climate future every day. That is something that needs to be addressed more often in kids books. I wish there were more hopeful things to say at the end of the book, but this volume at least skips the pointless positivity so often found in children's books, and instead encourages young people to be involved and think globally.