Heatwaves, Wildfires, and Hope: Lessons from Jeff Goodell’s Latest “The Heat Will Kill You First”

I recently spent my summer holiday back home in Canada, surrounded by the news of the destructive wildfires ravaging Western Canada. Including the heartbreaking destruction of Jasper, the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’. While trying to take some time away from the news/my phone, I read Jeff Goodell’s "The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet," a book that felt eerily prophetic given the circumstances. 

As a recruitment consultant specialising in sustainability, I know I’m addressing an audience well aware of the climate crisis. Goodell’s book underscores the dire consequences of rising global temperatures, portraying heat as an invisible but deadly force that exacerbates wildfires, droughts, and other climate disasters. His vivid accounts of past heatwaves and their devastating impacts resonate deeply, especially when considering the recent events in Canada. 

While reading, I couldn’t help but reflect on our shared responsibility and the roles we play in mitigating climate change. Goodell’s book is both a stark warning and a call to action.  It raises an important question: Are we, as sustainability professionals, feeling hopeful or hopeless about leading the change the world so desperately needs? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings on this. Despite the enormity of the challenge, do you find hope in the work we do and the progress we make, or does the scale of the crisis sometimes feel overwhelming?  - Karyn