Your Guide to Climate Action: How to move beyond your footprint and make a BIG impact

by Ryan Hagen

This book is for people who are worried, sad, angry, or overwhelmed about climate and ecological breakdown - and are wondering how to make a more meaningful difference.

Whether you're not sure what to do, or you're looking for ways to increase your positive impact, this book will meet you where you are - and help you leverage your skills and resources to make a big impact.

Written by Ryan Hagen, whose climate newsletter has empowered over 200,000 people from 150+ countries to take action, this isn't just another list of green living tips - it's a blueprint for moving beyond your footprint to help fix our broken systems.

This guide will show you:

- How to navigate eco-emotions and transform anxiety into action

- The power you have to change the systems you're a part of

- The top 10 most effective actions you can take to help make the places you live and work truly sustainable

- How to move forward wisely in the challenging years ahead

You are far more powerful than you think. And this book will show you how to use that power to help build a world where all of life thrives.

Genres: Climate Change

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Ryan Hagen is on a mission to help build a safe, healthy, and just world. That mission led him to start a climate action newsletter, which grew to 200,000+ subscribers from 150+ countries, start the nonprofit Crowdsourcing Sustainability, speak at dozens of events, and empower thousands of people to help make the places they live and work more sustainable.

His work has been recognized by the UN, TEDx, and LinkedIn as one of the Top Voices on the Green Economy.

When he's not nerding out on climate action, he's usually with family and friends, taking a walk in the woods, learning, playing soccer, watching sunsets, or seeing how many first sips he can get out of a coffee oreo milkshake.

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you understand how much worse the climate crisis is going to get, you have a choice to make. Will you pretend you don’t know, or will you DO SOMETHING?
If you choose “DO SOMETHING,” then Ryan Hagen’s book “Your Guide to Climate Action” Your Guide to Climate Action: How to move beyond your footprint and make a BIG impact will help you be more effective. It has a chapter on how to reduce your family’s carbon footprint (an important topic, for sure) but the majority of the book delivers what the subtitle promises: “How to Move Beyond Your Footprint and Make a BIG Impact.” I’m in my 70s, but I think this book will be particularly helpful for high school and college students who want to take meaningful climate action but don’t know how.
That’s not to say that older adults won’t get value from it. They will. In fact, the chapter about the carbon footprint of investment choices was eye-opening. My wife and I divested from fossil fuel stocks years ago, but it turns out that some of the mutual funds and ETFs in our IRAs are “fossil-friendly.” Now that we know about it, that’s something we can fix.
If you’re even a little bit interested in DOING SOMETHING to help heal our planet, this book will help you learn how to do it better.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to get an early copy of Your Guide to Climate Action after reading an earlier draft, and I’m so thrilled to see it out in the world. Ryan Hagen has created something truly accessible and practical for anyone who wants to make a difference- whether you’re a student, part of a large organization, or looking to get involved in your local community. This book takes a big, complex issue and breaks it down into clear, actionable steps. A must-read for anyone who believes that individual and collective action truly matter!

[Jack Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been working in climate action since I was high school, and Ryan's book is the most clear, compelling, direct guide to taking meaningful, impactful action that I have ever read. This book needs to be in the hands of as many people as possible! Whether you've never done anything to try to address climate change, or whether you've spend 10 years working on it, this book will 100% help you have a greater impact and rid yourself of any fear/shame/overwhelm that is holding you back!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deeply empathetic and empowering. It not only offers an easy-to-read, actionable blueprint for individual climate action, but even discusses how to process eco-emotions like anxiety and despair so we can reclaim that energy and harness that personal power. I entered this book overwhelmed and resigned, but left feeling invigorated.

[Daniel Alpert · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of places to get advice about how to make climate impact. These sources generally fall into two camps. The first is making personal impact through actions like using reusable water bottles, eating less meat, and recycling. The second usually takes the form of “telling people to take personal action isn’t enough and puts the onus on us when it’s corporation’s and government’s faults.” These books tell us the only way to make change is to vote.

This book captures the honest middle ground in a way I haven’t seen other climate books do. It asks us to find what we’re best at and understand the systems we live in (our companies, neighborhoods, schools, friend groups, etc.) and lays a path for making positive climate changes within these systems. Our impact and ability to change these places is much bigger than personal impact and much more likely to succeed than trying to fix the whole world at once. It’s a book that is both honest and uplifting. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned from this book and apply it in my life.

[Maya Balassa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written with love, and it’s palpable. I would (and do!) recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Reading this book inspired me to incorporate more hope, community, and spirituality into my climate action journey. While it’s critical to know (and feel!) the gravity of the situation, it’s more sustainably motivating to move towards something beautiful than away from something scary. This book clearly lays out where we are and illuminates that something beautiful we can build together.

Ps. Get pumped to find wall-worthy quotes woven throughout from Octavia Butler, Nelson Mandela, and many other icons!

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need to talk about climate. But where do we start? How do we approach the conversation of climate? What can we do about our poor climate conditions, and how can we get started in lessening our carbon footprint? Your Guide to Climate Action: How to Move Beyond Your Footprint and Make a BIG Impact by Ryan Hagen will show you how. From breaking down where we are with our climate right now and how to make things better, this book is a powerful resource to motivate and inspire people to care about the climate chaos we are living with and how to do something about it.

I appreciated that the author touches on the issue of climate change denial, which, unfortunately, has hindered any progress in resolving our many environmental issues and problems faced today. While there are many people who experience climate change denial out of a reason for filling their pockets, there are some who experience it mostly because facing the truth about just how bad climate change is would be too painful. The author writes on page 33,

Denial is one of the stages of grief. And when it comes to climate, most of us are on a spectrum of denial. Just as our emotions evolved to help protect us, our brain’s reaction to these challenging emotions is also an attempt to be protective.

Unfortunately, it would seem that greed is also a cause for the continued deterioration of our climate. Eliminating plastic from commercial use, a thing that is littering our oceans, means people would lose money. Not relying on fossil fuels would mean people losing money. And those people don’t want to see that happen. They want to continue using up our fossil fuels and drilling for natural resources because there is money in it. With this reasoning, it seems that climate collapse is inevitable. And so, in addition to discussing what actions people can take to help our environment, the author warns that we MUST be prepared for a catastrophic climate in the future, as can very likely happen. He writes on page 49, “Planetary breakdown is going to throw a lot at us. If we aren’t at least somewhat prepared, we may not have the resources or social cohesion to solve the root of the problem.”

In light of all of these terrible things happening to our planet, it may make people think that it’s too late to fix the damage. That it’s too late to do anything good to repair what was lost. But the author reminds readers: “We know what we need to do. And if we get our act together in time, we can build a better world. A world where all life thrives.”

It would seem, however, that the people vs. the government would be a big fight to take on indeed. Even so, the author encourages people to fight back for our planet:

The fossil fuel industry has arguably been the most powerful and influential industry in human history. They have invested billions to capture politicians, shape policy, kill pro-climate legislation, influence the reporting of our biggest media institutions, and lie to the public with onslaughts of paid propaganda – all to delay action on climate. The only way regular people can match the big power and money of the fossil fuel industry is with people power – large numbers of people stepping up, together, to fight for our future.

One last thing on this: it’s important to understand that most people running our governments and corporations are not going to do the right thing on their own. And we don’t have time to wait for them anymore. We have to step up to make them do the right thing. Or replace them with people who will.

Nobody is coming to save us. We need more people to step up so we can save ourselves. (Page 65)

And part of “saving ourselves” means taking action by using a climate action plan. This includes getting involved in local government and participating in meetings about topics relevant to the environment. It means electing climate-positive officials, supporting environmentally-conscious businesses, and signing petitions relevant to environmental protection. The author lays out this strategy in several chapters, offering actions people can take and changes they can make in order to actively work towards positive climate solutions for all.

Most people really don’t know what they can do to make a difference. Reading these chapters clears all of that up. There are easy, actionable strategies people can enforce to help make a difference for a better climate. There’s also the option of working in a climate-focused career, with a chapter on how to get started on that path. I found the links included to be very helpful, and I know they will be good resources for other people who are interested in working for a climate-focused company.

The author makes some very strong arguments for getting involved in climate action at the beginning of the book, but it is at the beginning of Part Four where he makes his strongest appeal for more people to get involved in changing our current trajectory so that we can reverse the damage to our climate and create a better future:

Until we stop polluting the climate, the world will keep getting hotter – the weather more extreme. And until we switch from harming ecosystems to healing them, ecological breakdown will continue. This means the world will become less habitable– harder to live in. It means all the important issues we care about – food security, housing, affordability, public health, racial equity, and so many others – will be made worse. And it means more people will suffer. More people will be displaced. And more people will die. (Pg. 177)

It is possible to create change and spark action to stop the destruction of our climate. Your Guide to Climate Action: How to Move Beyond Your Footprint and Make a BIG Impact provides all of the information and steps to get started. You can make a difference in improving our climate and this book will show you how.

[Betsy Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this as my first climate-focused book of sabbatical. It's non-academic and not scholarly (and not intended to be either of those things). I appreciated the focus on ways of effecting *systemic* change though at the same time, I was wishing that it also included more on-the-ground actions (like planting more native plants or whatever). That aside, the author did a great job organizing the action chapters to be in a range of spheres of influence (work, school, finances, etc.). I'll come back to this as I continue to do the concrete work. This was a good way to start off my reading adventure!

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoy the writing style. I think a lot of climate literature is either very scientific and technical, or gets very theoretical and philosophical. This book is a great in between that makes the content and actions digestible for anyone, whether they are just starting their climate journey or have been in the space for years, like me.

[Brian Ing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. The writing felt very conversational, and created a base for ongoing conversation on such an essential topic. I appreciated the non-judgmental tone, and especially the perspective of the stress or anxiety associated with difficulty finding a path to action. The resources and ideas are endless, and I can't wait to share them or the book with others.

[Kevin Thorley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great primer on getting involved in doing something about climate change. It pulls together references to a lot of other great writing, and can serve as a jumping off point to learn more about the problem and what we can do. I appreciate the author’s positive approach and straightforward narrative.

[Michael Muntisov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychologist Bob Rich advises people who are suffering from climate anxiety to “Do the best you can then don’t worry”. Ryan Hagen’s book Your Guide to Climate Action takes this advice a step further by coaching us on how to do our ‘best’. It is one of the most comprehensive books I have come across on individual climate action.

Ryan invites his readers to find their place in the climate movement by discovering the sweet spot at the intersection of activities which give you joy, those skills you are good at, and what climate activities need further progress. As I said in an earlier post, this could boil down to something as simple as baking cakes for the climate group down the road. Every contribution counts.

Ryan kicks off his ten most effective actions with a chapter entitled Talk About It! As author Rebecca Huntley has observed, climate change can be harder to talk about than sex or drugs or religion. So, Ryan appropriately follows the counsel of Katharine Hayhoe and others and advises his readers to focus on listening and connecting to find common ground, rather than trying to debate or convince.

He advocates for being an active voter, and to search for climate champions among the candidates seeking election or even being a candidate yourself.

He then discusses ways you can influence your city, company or school to take climate action. In the chapter on minimizing your carbon footprint I was pleased to see his caveat that the corporate world would like nothing better than individuals to blame themselves for the climate crisis. We are working in a system that is broken, so while we can reduce our individual emissions there are bigger forces at play. This brings in the concept of the ‘climate shadow’ that I have written about previously, which takes into account emissions that you have prevented through, for example, lobbying. Ryan would score positively on climate shadow.

A chapter considers climate-friendly banking and investment, followed by chapters on supporting nonprofits and on protesting and civil resistance.

One of the best features of the book are the links to the resources that Ryan comprehensively references, allowing readers to learn more or make connections with organizations that resonate with them.

The part of the book that was closest to my heart was on the last page when Ryan asks how will you answer when a child in the future asks you “What did you do?” Indeed, that was the motivation and premise of my novel, play and audio drama Court of the Grandchildren.

Your Guide to Climate Action is an easy-to-read and comprehensive handbook for anyone who is concerned with climate change and would like to do more. I highly recommend it.


For my book reviews and posts on similar themes at www.courtofthegrandchildren.com, consider:
How to Cope with Climate Anxiety
How to talk about Climate Change
How to talk about Climate Change - Part 2
The best thing you can do to tackle global warming
The Climate Shadow

[Alessandra Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up ‘Your Guide to Climate Action’ at a moment when I was seeking something steady and practical. It left me feeling more committed to showing up where I already am rather than searching for somewhere else to stand.

Every now and then you come across a book that grounds you and energizes you to keep going. This was that kind of read for me.

Three things especially stayed with me:

1. Relatability 
The mix of case studies, Ryan’s own journey, quotes, and links to organizations and initiatives makes climate action feel tangible without glossing over the real challenges we’re facing. There’s an honesty about the work we need to tend to and openness to what’s still possible.

2. Readability
The chapters stand on their own. I tend to read many things at once so I appreciated being able to jump to a specific chapter/section without losing the thread. For example, if you’re wondering what voting, investing, communicating, or organizing looks like in practice you can go straight there.

3. Relevance
It met me where I am. I’m not able to do everything, but I am able to do something and that feels key.

I also valued the moments that invited pause (I’d recommend having a pen and paper nearby). Writing down what came up helped me metabolize what I was reading and I can easily return to that.

Overall, I’m grateful for this guide. It has opened fruitful conversations and I’m curious to see how it will continue to meet me (and others) in different seasons.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the very few pieces of climate-related writing that resonated deeply with me without pulling me into despair, pessimism, or an overload of overwhelming data. Instead, it strikes a rare balance: it offers clear, grounded information that provides a framework for understanding, while also recognizing—thoughtfully and compassionately—the emotional weight that the climate crisis carries.

I finished this book feeling more hopeful than I expected. It left me eager to commit to realistic changes in my own life and community, and it helped me connect the existential scale of the problem with the personal, everyday choices we make—something I’ve struggled to do before in this area of such enormous importance.

The writing is accessible, intelligent, and deeply human. It never feels patronizing or discouraging, which is no small achievement in this space. I truly hope this book serves as a beacon for others. A reminder that it is possible to reach readers and citizens in a way that empowers rather than paralyzes.

My sincere gratitude and congratulations to the author for making such a difficult, emotional topic feel welcoming, clarifying, and genuinely motivating

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who knows way too much about the ecological crisis, I didn’t expect to be as informed, deeply impacted, and inspired by this book as I was. Beneath my conscious awareness I had a rats nest of emotions and ideas related to the climate crisis. The author (Ryan Hagen) has done the work of untangling all of this, and clearly reminding us that that there is a path forward — that we matter, our actions matter, and we are far from alone. The book is also, as the title suggests, a totally practical guide. How great that all of this information is available in one place. I would hope that as many young people as possible are presented with these tools in hopes that this attention and empowerment are cures for anxieties. I also ordered a copy for my Dad who is sometimes overwhelmed by the state of modern politics. I think we can all benefit from those that have honestly wrestled with a societal challenge and communicated their learning for the rest of us.

[John Szalasny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a Kindle version of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

It's a solid how-to guide to make an impact on climate change related issues beyond your personal environmental imprint. From getting a big picture view of where we're heading, it helps coach people like you and I to talk about human's biggest threat in our everyday lives - among friends, family, co-workers, etc. - as well as to take the message to the people in power (boardrooms, politicians, etc.). Using this as a base, the author provides actions you can take as we move forward towards slowing and reversing our current course before it is too late to change.

The only issue I have is the guide has no concrete how-it-has-been-done examples. Nothing to show how the organizers in Toledo (or Tupelo or Tucson) changed policy, and nothing to show the rest of the world (say in Taipei or Torino) may do things differently.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a "Climate Chef", Ryan Hagen (the Author) has assembled the detailed ingredients and instructions to bless us with a master recipe for climate action with his book, "Your Guide to Climate Action". The book is structured to read front to back, but each chapter and topic stands on its own, allowing readers to concentrate on the topics and action that are most relevant to their lives. Ryan informs, instructs and teaches in a writing style that is light hearted and overwhelmingly positive, despite the surmounting challenges we face. He outlines the problem and solutions, while painting a picture of the future, with concrete actions everyone can take immediately. While it's extensively researched and packed with knowledge nuggets and facts, the read is quick and information is easily digestible. I highly recommend this book!

[Claire Schoen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Guide to Climate Action by Ryan Hagen is a terrific book! I highly recommend it for anyone who knows we are facing a climate crisis, but isn’t quite sure what they can do about it.

This guide is an easy and inspiring read. It is super well organized with chapters – and headings within chapters – to clearly lead you through a range of options for climate action.

The book is a good balance between practical advice and a broader perspective. Whatever your skills, experience and interests, Ryan has a path for you from taking your first steps to becoming a climate champion.

And your very first step? Get this book!

[Jenna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was able to consolidate a lot of resources and learnings into one small space. I think there are a lot of people who say they want to do something about climate but something small is blocking their way to enable them to actually taking bigger action. This book bridges that gap and cuts down those blockers to action, showing us a path to doing something about it that you might not previously have done. I personally have taken a few different actions as a result of reading this book and highly recommend it to others.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a beta reader for this book so was able to read an early version -- and it is amazing! This book is such a comprehensive yet digestible overview of the crisis we’re facing, what we can do about it, and how we can sustain ourselves while taking action. It’s the book I wish I had when I started my climate journey! I'm so excited for it to be in the world and know so many people will benefit from the clear, supportive, and kind guides it provides.

[Alan Hesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for our times. The main strength of this short, easy-to-read guide is that it is both science-informed and pragmatic for the everyday person. The book efficiently presents a comprehensive array of climate solutions accessible to individuals, thereby dispelling the dangerous trend of perfectly climate-aware people perceiving only bad news and giving up all attempts to play their part. Climate action is for everyone.

[Ben Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone curious about what else they can do to play a role, big or small, in making a positive impact on the climate. Ryan is a very thoughtful writer with a friendly tone, and this book about a heavy topic reads more smoothly as a result. I'm glad someone has written a book like this, and after reading it, I'm glad it was Ryan!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not finish this book because the author wasn't really writing to me (an 85 year old lifelong environmentalist) but to young people. Instead I gave it to a visiting rising college sophomore, who is in the real target group.
Hagen starts by going over the major issues about climate and then provides great action tools, with lots of links, for how young people can get their world back.

[Rick Freiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very practical book, opening with personal story followed by basic climate science followed by effective mitigation actions.

Two hundred pages, easy read, and a good reference. Well documented with citations.

I’ve purchased extra copies to give away because I wanted environmentally conscious people to be more on “the same page”.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great easy steps for everyone!