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It's Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World
For too long, representations of climate action in the mainstream media have been white-washed, green-washed and diluted to be made compatible with capitalism.We are living in an economic system which pursues profit above all else; harmful, oppressive systems that heavily contribute to the climate crisis, and environmental consequences that have been toned down to the masses. Tackling the climate crisis requires us to visit the roots of poverty, capitalist exploitation, police brutality and legal injustice. Climate justice offers the real possibility of huge leaps towards racial equality and collective liberation as it aims to dismantle the very foundations of these issues.In this book, Mikaela Loach offers a fresh and radical perspective for real climate action that could drastically change the world as we know it for the benefit of us all. Written with candour and hope, It's Not That Radical will galvanise readers to take action, offering an accessible and transformative appraisal of our circumstances to help mobilise a majority for the future of our planet.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2023
262 people are currently reading
7073 people want to read
About the author
Mikaela Loach
3 books92 followersMikaela Loach is the bestselling author of It's Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World, a climate justice activist, co-host of
The YIKES Podcast, writer and 4th year medical student based in Brighton. In 2020, Forbes, Global Citizen and BBC Woman's Hour named Mikaela as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement. In 2021, she was one of three claimants on the "Paid To Pollute" case who took the UK government to court over the huge public payments they give to fossil fuel companies every year. Her work focuses on the intersections of the climate crisis with oppressive systems and making the climate movement a more accessible space. "It's Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World" is her first book.
The YIKES Podcast, writer and 4th year medical student based in Brighton. In 2020, Forbes, Global Citizen and BBC Woman's Hour named Mikaela as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement. In 2021, she was one of three claimants on the "Paid To Pollute" case who took the UK government to court over the huge public payments they give to fossil fuel companies every year. Her work focuses on the intersections of the climate crisis with oppressive systems and making the climate movement a more accessible space. "It's Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World" is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
September 21, 2023
This book is an absolute must read for anyone who want to have hope for our and our children's future. A joy to read and even more joyful to finish leaving me with a new found sense of hope and aspirations.
I was so excited to read this book, I know the author has worked with the likes of Layla Saad and Emma Dabiri, renowned and respected authors. I expected nothing but the best from ´"IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL" and it did not disappoint.
I am sure it will be a pivotal book in our path to build a new world built from hope, in response to the climate crisis we find ourselves in.
We need not live in despair, there is hope, there are answers, not to just be ok, but to also have something much, much better. Reading Mikaela Loach's ´"IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL" has taught me so much and given me so much hope.
I was so excited to read this book, I know the author has worked with the likes of Layla Saad and Emma Dabiri, renowned and respected authors. I expected nothing but the best from ´"IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL" and it did not disappoint.
I am sure it will be a pivotal book in our path to build a new world built from hope, in response to the climate crisis we find ourselves in.
We need not live in despair, there is hope, there are answers, not to just be ok, but to also have something much, much better. Reading Mikaela Loach's ´"IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL" has taught me so much and given me so much hope.
October 22, 2023
There is a clarity and polemic nature to this book that understandably made it a bestseller. But it is a book not written for me, who already has a keen interest in climate change and trying to stop it.
However it serves as an excellent introduction to the dual themes of climate justice, tackling environmentalism and systemic injustice as one issue inseperable.
The passion in the prose is clearly there, however the central message of “Organise!” for me, sadly didn’t answer the inevitable follow up question:- “How?”.
However it serves as an excellent introduction to the dual themes of climate justice, tackling environmentalism and systemic injustice as one issue inseperable.
The passion in the prose is clearly there, however the central message of “Organise!” for me, sadly didn’t answer the inevitable follow up question:- “How?”.
September 28, 2022
I cannot tell you how important this book is in a time where concessions are made for the elite in times of climate breakdown!
Mikaela’s perspective is SO important and I urge anyone who is interested in mobilising for the good of the planet to get your copy now!!
Mikaela’s perspective is SO important and I urge anyone who is interested in mobilising for the good of the planet to get your copy now!!
April 23, 2023
This is a really good introduction to the ins and outs of climate justice, and what it really means to be active for a climate-just future. It's a moving debut, and it inspires action. The author provides a lot of resources for how to get active, and most importantly, how to sustain activism in the long term, something I didn't know how to do when I started. It's a book about hope.
I was involved in a lot of activism before (and also during) boarding school, but fell out for various reasons. This book is the call to action that I needed to hear, and I'm finally continuing again. That's part of why I think so highly of this book, and why I think if you care about the world - no matter what the thing closest to your heart is, be it queer issues, racism, classism, or anything else - this book is for you too. It's not just for those who are already involved in the climate movement; it's for you if you've never known where to start or why. If it feels too much or like you can't do anything. If you don't know how to stay hopeful in the face of so much bad news. As Mikaela Loach puts it, you're always needed, and it's never too late to start.
In the entire book nuance is never forgotten about. This is not a book trying to guilt you into action by giving you facts about impending doom or crisis; something that has been shown doesn't work. Hope is the big word here, and what exactly a hopeful and active stance comprises of is discussed in detail.
I realise that this is more of an essay about why you should read this book rather than a typical review of the book itself. But seeing as it is a book about taking action, I think this says everything. I really hope you pick it up!
I was involved in a lot of activism before (and also during) boarding school, but fell out for various reasons. This book is the call to action that I needed to hear, and I'm finally continuing again. That's part of why I think so highly of this book, and why I think if you care about the world - no matter what the thing closest to your heart is, be it queer issues, racism, classism, or anything else - this book is for you too. It's not just for those who are already involved in the climate movement; it's for you if you've never known where to start or why. If it feels too much or like you can't do anything. If you don't know how to stay hopeful in the face of so much bad news. As Mikaela Loach puts it, you're always needed, and it's never too late to start.
In the entire book nuance is never forgotten about. This is not a book trying to guilt you into action by giving you facts about impending doom or crisis; something that has been shown doesn't work. Hope is the big word here, and what exactly a hopeful and active stance comprises of is discussed in detail.
I realise that this is more of an essay about why you should read this book rather than a typical review of the book itself. But seeing as it is a book about taking action, I think this says everything. I really hope you pick it up!
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July 24, 2025Ressenya en vídeo a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMf861...
June 24, 2023
This is the one. Buy. Go. Read. Enjoy.
It's the bridge between blind climate despair and hopeful understanding explained in an accessible way.
It is carefully positioned for somewhere who cares about climate change but is a bit scared, a bit overwhelmed and just a little confused about why who or how it is happening or being allowed to happen.
It had new bits and bobs for me (finishing up my MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development) that were delightful and more directly outlined the personal demands of engaging with crisis. Its capturing of the concepts and ideas that drive climate change at a non-studious level are delightfully weaved through with these personal insights that thread together into this beautiful outfit for all climate-carers to wear.
I'm excited for all my pals to read it and chat with me about it 😍
It's the bridge between blind climate despair and hopeful understanding explained in an accessible way.
It is carefully positioned for somewhere who cares about climate change but is a bit scared, a bit overwhelmed and just a little confused about why who or how it is happening or being allowed to happen.
It had new bits and bobs for me (finishing up my MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development) that were delightful and more directly outlined the personal demands of engaging with crisis. Its capturing of the concepts and ideas that drive climate change at a non-studious level are delightfully weaved through with these personal insights that thread together into this beautiful outfit for all climate-carers to wear.
I'm excited for all my pals to read it and chat with me about it 😍
April 13, 2024
Puha skulle lige lade den simre lidt inden jeg ratede.
Havde troet det var en klar 5-stjerne-bog fra min side - Så det var en hård pille at sluge (??) da jeg fem kapitler inde, var i tvivl om det grundlæggende budskab.
Bogen serverede en god omgang fakta på, hvordan det globale syd står med de fleste klimakonsekvenser fra det globale nords handlinger gennem tiden… og om olieselskabernes kæmpe store rolle i det hele… og om hvordan individet får lagt alt for meget pres på sig, i et system der burde tage ansvar…
Men med alt det sagt, stod jeg mest af alt bare tilbage med en følelse af privilegieblindhed, i tvivl om næste step og som et stort spørgsmålstegn - når jeg egentlig havde regnet med at være efterladt med en slags handlingsparathed.
Havde troet det var en klar 5-stjerne-bog fra min side - Så det var en hård pille at sluge (??) da jeg fem kapitler inde, var i tvivl om det grundlæggende budskab.
Bogen serverede en god omgang fakta på, hvordan det globale syd står med de fleste klimakonsekvenser fra det globale nords handlinger gennem tiden… og om olieselskabernes kæmpe store rolle i det hele… og om hvordan individet får lagt alt for meget pres på sig, i et system der burde tage ansvar…
Men med alt det sagt, stod jeg mest af alt bare tilbage med en følelse af privilegieblindhed, i tvivl om næste step og som et stort spørgsmålstegn - når jeg egentlig havde regnet med at være efterladt med en slags handlingsparathed.
July 11, 2023
As someone with climate anxiety who joined the movement out of fear, I really needed to read this book. It has helped me think differently about this crisis and I learned a lot about capitalism, white supremacy and colonialism along the way.
It’s Not That Radical is an accessible, well researched book about climate justice that offers lots of hope and mobilises the reader.
I finished this book the evening before going to a protest. The timing was perfect and I had a great time taking action. Now, instead of catastrophising, I spend lots of time imagining a better world. I’ve got Mikaela Loach to thank for that.
It’s Not That Radical is an accessible, well researched book about climate justice that offers lots of hope and mobilises the reader.
I finished this book the evening before going to a protest. The timing was perfect and I had a great time taking action. Now, instead of catastrophising, I spend lots of time imagining a better world. I’ve got Mikaela Loach to thank for that.
March 9, 2025
"It makes me so sad to think that folks believe that if they can't do everything then there's no point doing anything at all. The idea that one person should do everything is unsustainable. It's based on ego and it leads to fragile movements."
Very motivating reading how hopeful Mikaela is to lean into community and I feel empowered to imagine a better world.
Very motivating reading how hopeful Mikaela is to lean into community and I feel empowered to imagine a better world.
July 28, 2025
aanrader !!
May 1, 2023
What a book! I felt every emotion there is and as soon as I put the book down googled climate action groups near me and how I can get involved - which was exactly the goal of the book, to get people acting, organising locally and coming together to move towards a better world.
July 8, 2023
Very accessible and inspiring introduction to climate justice and building the new world. At times it was a little repetitive and it would have been nice to include some more detailed examples of communities across the world that are actioning the principles of a greener fairer world.
October 8, 2023
This made me look at climate action through a whole new lens - loved it.
September 16, 2025
“Instead, oppressed peoples were pitted against each other and forced to see each other as the enemy rather than their true oppressors. This has persisted today, through the manifestations of racism in the messaging that any racially minoritised people coming to the UK will 'steal your job'; the scapegoating, violent immigration policies resulting in heightened precarity, and narratives of scarcity from politicians like Margaret Thatcher. Rather than seeing the global exploitation of the working class as good ground for building solidarity and connecting to each other, racism created by the ruling class has led many working-class people to fight each other instead.”
“The existence of trans people presents a threat to one of the central tenets of the white-supremacist, capitalist state - that we all need to just accept our place within its violent system.”
“Choosing to see no stranger transformed my life. The concept states that we must view every single human as our kin, our family, as someone we love. We are all human, and all connected in some way, and therefore none of us are truly strangers. To see no stranger is to open one's heart to empathy; to try and see every person as a nuanced, messy person.”
“The existence of trans people presents a threat to one of the central tenets of the white-supremacist, capitalist state - that we all need to just accept our place within its violent system.”
“Choosing to see no stranger transformed my life. The concept states that we must view every single human as our kin, our family, as someone we love. We are all human, and all connected in some way, and therefore none of us are truly strangers. To see no stranger is to open one's heart to empathy; to try and see every person as a nuanced, messy person.”
October 9, 2024
A lovely uplifting book! Lots of scary climate crisis facts and figures and a powerful sense of urgency (I'd never heard the term climate-delayers before and I think it's great) but also lots of very well said words about the power of collectivism and the historical precedents for radical change. I really appreciate how she steers the narrative completely away from individual choices and towards systemic change.
Very accessible without being simplistic. I can see myself revisiting this book when I'm in need of wise words. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very accessible without being simplistic. I can see myself revisiting this book when I'm in need of wise words. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 10, 2024
This book is so important to me and it healed me in so many ways!! A must read if you want to understand the root causes of climate change and the vital role of action ❤❤
May 18, 2024
I pretty much agreed with every point made in this book (except maybe the point that we should abolish the police), but I found that I didn't really learn anything new, or come away with any concrete ideas for how to take action. Loach encourages us to get up and join our local climate action group, but that's about the extent of it.
It is correct to highlight the unjust capitalist systems that have caused the climate crisis and the wealth divide between global north and south, and correct to call out fossil fuel companies rather than focussing on individual actions. But why ignore the animal agriculture industry, and ignore government subsidies going to meat and dairy farms?
There are some encouraging words at the end about hope being an action, and how to continue in the face of despair that many of us feel when we think about the climate crisis. Judging by other reviews, I appear to be an outlier in that I didn't feel particularly inspired, but I understand that is the purpose of the book - to get more people directly involved in climate action movements. I hope I am an outlier, and I hope people do find this book inspiring and empowering. Ultimately, to me it read more like an essay complaining about the world and the ultra-rich, which is fair enough, but I must have just been hoping for something different.
It is correct to highlight the unjust capitalist systems that have caused the climate crisis and the wealth divide between global north and south, and correct to call out fossil fuel companies rather than focussing on individual actions. But why ignore the animal agriculture industry, and ignore government subsidies going to meat and dairy farms?
There are some encouraging words at the end about hope being an action, and how to continue in the face of despair that many of us feel when we think about the climate crisis. Judging by other reviews, I appear to be an outlier in that I didn't feel particularly inspired, but I understand that is the purpose of the book - to get more people directly involved in climate action movements. I hope I am an outlier, and I hope people do find this book inspiring and empowering. Ultimately, to me it read more like an essay complaining about the world and the ultra-rich, which is fair enough, but I must have just been hoping for something different.
July 25, 2023
There isn’t a book I would recommend more. Written in a clear, accessible way, especially for people like myself, who are interested in climate crisis/justice but don’t know where to start. Mikaela tackles various subjects such as (neo)colonialism, capitalism, racism, and how every issue is intertwined with destruction of our planet. She also provides practical tips on how we can come together and create a new, better world. Not only did this book break my heart but also gave me a lot of hope. Definitely a must read!
July 7, 2023
to everyone that knows me and thinks about if they maybe should read this book- I am more than willing to borrow it out, give you my copy. this book inspires, motivates and shows the truth in the best way possible and I couldn't be more grateful for being able to read this and taking action thanks to it.
January 17, 2025
anyone wanting an introduction into climate justice should read this
February 14, 2025
Mikaela is very inspiring
November 4, 2025
Urge que todo el mundo lo lea y se lo sepa de memoria. Urge organizarnos colectivamente para salvar al medio ambiente. Somos las que más lo vamos a sufrir.
February 10, 2024
Incredible book! there is so much hope people lets fckin change this crazy world
October 16, 2023
Read it or listen to it, learn from it, act on it.
June 19, 2025
gonna go ahead and say best book of the year so far 🤯
May 27, 2024
I found it very hard to fix a rating for this book. It was in many ways a deeply uncomfortable book to read but as it's content is addressing the intricate world of climate activism i feel it should make you uncomfortable. I would recommend it to read 100% as it sparks conversation and introspection, I don't think it's a five star *wow* book though due to variable quality.
The good - the second half talks about realities of climate activism from her lived experience in a truly interesting way. It encourages you to participate in activism whilst humanizing it and remove the mystique. She talks about the naivety of youthful bake sales, evolving from individual choices to systemic change as the focus. She talks about the move to risky protests and the anger she felt as a 21 year young activist and how she has matured into a...24 year old celebrity activist. Her demonstrations of active climate effects she's seen in Jamaica and the horrible experiences of indigenous activists is eye-opening. Though discussion of changes we can make and encouragement that change IS possible are great and live up to the byline that it's a book about hope.
The bad - beyond "participate", "unite" and "tear down capitalism" it gives few actual ideas of how we can make change.
The first half I found weakest and it was here I felt most unhappy. This portion veres more towards theory, history and contextualizing for later chapters discussing the world we live and and what can be done. These first chapters feature a lot of statements of fact and emotive declarations but felt rather....simple. In the version I listened to there is no citation of the claims made only references to writers who make snappy quotes. The frequent use of "old white men" as villains we unite against and the removal of the Global South's agency in contemporary history made some otherwise good argument feel weaker by association. Mikaela, states that China's position as #1 polluting nation is solely because it's being exploited by the west as a producer and ignores any active choices by its government or people, I've seen the horrendous daily plastic use which pollutes much of the South China Sea and that is not serving the west. Secondary analysis like this is too quickly brushed aside as she moves rapidly to another wide sweeping statement. When I can say with certainty one of the uncited facts she gives is deeply wrong, can I trust all the other uncited facts? I want to but it weakened the arguments for me.
Overall, it's introductory reading and wants to get the reader on board with systemic issues that exist in the climate crisis. By the end I was feeling much more positively about the book and inspired but huge sections feel purposely inflammatory and simplified. It's good to start but needs to be taken with an unhealthy amount of salt. Hopefully it prompts some good individual research and the activism that the author shows we desperately need.
The good - the second half talks about realities of climate activism from her lived experience in a truly interesting way. It encourages you to participate in activism whilst humanizing it and remove the mystique. She talks about the naivety of youthful bake sales, evolving from individual choices to systemic change as the focus. She talks about the move to risky protests and the anger she felt as a 21 year young activist and how she has matured into a...24 year old celebrity activist. Her demonstrations of active climate effects she's seen in Jamaica and the horrible experiences of indigenous activists is eye-opening. Though discussion of changes we can make and encouragement that change IS possible are great and live up to the byline that it's a book about hope.
The bad - beyond "participate", "unite" and "tear down capitalism" it gives few actual ideas of how we can make change.
The first half I found weakest and it was here I felt most unhappy. This portion veres more towards theory, history and contextualizing for later chapters discussing the world we live and and what can be done. These first chapters feature a lot of statements of fact and emotive declarations but felt rather....simple. In the version I listened to there is no citation of the claims made only references to writers who make snappy quotes. The frequent use of "old white men" as villains we unite against and the removal of the Global South's agency in contemporary history made some otherwise good argument feel weaker by association. Mikaela, states that China's position as #1 polluting nation is solely because it's being exploited by the west as a producer and ignores any active choices by its government or people, I've seen the horrendous daily plastic use which pollutes much of the South China Sea and that is not serving the west. Secondary analysis like this is too quickly brushed aside as she moves rapidly to another wide sweeping statement. When I can say with certainty one of the uncited facts she gives is deeply wrong, can I trust all the other uncited facts? I want to but it weakened the arguments for me.
Overall, it's introductory reading and wants to get the reader on board with systemic issues that exist in the climate crisis. By the end I was feeling much more positively about the book and inspired but huge sections feel purposely inflammatory and simplified. It's good to start but needs to be taken with an unhealthy amount of salt. Hopefully it prompts some good individual research and the activism that the author shows we desperately need.
May 9, 2023
Feeling the breath of a new earth… A book on hope and transformation. This book will make you question what you can do and become excited about what we can create. But this isn’t about the pressure of individual action. It’s about collectives and the interconnection of all beings and all issues. Thank you Mikaela and thank you to every human doing their best.
May 11, 2023
One of the freshest takes on overcoming the barriers to climate action I have read. Empowering, inspiring and engaging to read!
September 19, 2023
Whilst I disagree quite strongly with some of Mikaela’s ideas, this book is in some ways worth its weight in gold. It contains lots of facts about how capitalism upholds climate trouble in the form of fossil fuel companies, and how it’s often the most vulnerable working classes in the Global South (who are the least responsible!) who suffer from it the most. So it’s definitely worth a read.
May 2, 2023
Positive, uplifting, inspiring, well researched and educational. Everyone should read this. I learnt a lot and came away feeling empowered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews