About the Book
For anyone who secretly believes we are too late to save the planet, but hates saying so because it sounds so discouraging, this book is very good news. It’s neither a dystopia nor a road map to fix the climate crisis, but invites the reader into a transformed personal, relational and planetary life far more powerful than the fear, despair, and denial which have become so pervasive.
Drawing courageously on very personal experiences of joy and fulfillment in times of his own despair, the author suggests such gifts of deep hope aren’t rare. He describes how, against all odds, a near-death experience at birth, deep childhood loss, and challenges in intimate relationships, became rich seed beds for joy and fulfillment. Additionally, the atheist and believer who fell in love in the first book of this series now live together, are deeply committed to fighting the climate crisis, but fail in that commitment and in their relationship. Yet mysteriously they find themselves immersed in joy and fulfillment through both failures. In the final climactic scenes of the book we experience joy and meaning being returned to humanity through the very disaster that now threatens our hope and purpose.
The author uses the image of constructing a climate collapse seat belt woven from failure, grief, despair, and strangely, humility, to describe how, if climate collapse does happen, we can be protected from all kinds of chaos, and find ourselves buckled into deep joy and full life.
Drawing courageously on very personal experiences of joy and fulfillment in times of his own despair, the author suggests such gifts of deep hope aren’t rare. He describes how, against all odds, a near-death experience at birth, deep childhood loss, and challenges in intimate relationships, became rich seed beds for joy and fulfillment. Additionally, the atheist and believer who fell in love in the first book of this series now live together, are deeply committed to fighting the climate crisis, but fail in that commitment and in their relationship. Yet mysteriously they find themselves immersed in joy and fulfillment through both failures. In the final climactic scenes of the book we experience joy and meaning being returned to humanity through the very disaster that now threatens our hope and purpose.
The author uses the image of constructing a climate collapse seat belt woven from failure, grief, despair, and strangely, humility, to describe how, if climate collapse does happen, we can be protected from all kinds of chaos, and find ourselves buckled into deep joy and full life.
Reviews
In the midst of this unfolding climate disaster, Harold Munn weaves together his lived experience, reflections on faith and a story of a young couple’s journey through climate grief to understanding and joy. I was moved by the honesty of the author’s story. It shows that we need not be alone in these times. This is essential reading for our own journeys.
Bill Darnell Climate and Justice worker, a founder of Greenpeace, United Church member.
Drawing down our carbon pollution is essential if we want a habitable planet for ourselves and our children. In his book, Munn vividly illustrates another vital part of our future legacy: to imagine, and activate what we need to weather a difficult future if we fail to.The stories and examples threaded through Munn’s lucid narrative repeatedly find unexpected joy in unmitigated disaster. The author’s conviction that we ultimately live in a world of goodness and wonder teaches us we should keep our eyes ever open for surprises, no matter how dire the situation. This book adds a much-needed perspective to the discussion of how we can navigate the greatest existential threat of our time.
Dr. Melissa Lem, MD. Family Physician, President, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment,
Clinical Assistant Professor, U.B.C. Faculty of Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor, U.B.C. Faculty of Medicine
There is much in the news these days around climate change, most of it distressing. Reading this book has certainly helped me to see more clearly the deep trust at the core of the Christian faith, and this is probably why, while still concerned, I’m finding myself more at peace with a broad range of scenarios of how this climate crisis may play out. I’m thankful for this book, and know that others will benefit from it too!
Dr. Nicholas May Historian of Nisga’a Christianity, Department of History, Simon Fraser University
Despite the alarming title about a truly scary situation of impending climate collapse, Harold Munn has written a quite delightful book, filled with much humour, grace and wisdom. Each section of the book is introduced with the story of a heroic young couple trying their best to respond responsibly to deepening climate crises. In addition, Munn includes real-life examples from his own experiences, sometimes very personal, of how new hope may arise from despair. The idea of a seatbelt whose anchor points of contact are grief, despair and then humility — brings us comfort as something we can ‘buckle into’ for greater stability and even joy during the climate disaster that likely lies ahead. And Munn intertwines this move towards humility, and ultimately joy, with the Christ story of death leading to new life. As Munn says: “Only humility enables new truth to emerge.
Dr. Adela Torchia PhD in Ecology and World Religions (Adela Torchia, ‘Gandhi, Ecology and World Religions’, © 2013)
Former Lecturer Athabasca University, Newman Theological College (Edmonton),
Universities of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg & Manitoba, Anglican priest.
Former Lecturer Athabasca University, Newman Theological College (Edmonton),
Universities of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg & Manitoba, Anglican priest.
Harold Munn lays out a challenging but necessary path to rescue joy from the tragedy and sorrow of our planetary crises. It’s not an easy path but the reward may be to discover our mature human identity.
Many of us are suffering deeply from our awareness of climate collapse and still we urge one another to hold onto joy. But how? Harold Munn lays out a path. It requires us to embrace grief, despair and humility – indeed, to strap them on as a tripartite safety belt that secures a liberating journey through innocence and into joy. Counter-intuitive? Yes! But modern psychology and neuroscience affirm that we cannot get around these difficult emotions. To move forward, we must befriend them. Even in the midst of the sorrow and tragedy of our planetary crises, we can claim our birthright of joy and step into our maturity as conscious witness to the generosity and splendour of our precious existence within this cradle of life.
Dr. Carole Christoper Director - Guiding Elder and former Board chair of The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, recipient of the Vancouver Award of Excellence in the category of Healthy City for All.
A rare, radiant book—honest about collapse, yet fiercely committed to joy. A must-read for anyone, atheist or faithful, searching for the lightness of grounded hope in dark times. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved this book!
Patricia Lane Columnist Canada’s National Observer, lawyer, community organizer and climate hope teacher.
commercial sites:
You can order a signed hard cover—they look very handsome--
directly from Harold.
For an unsigned hardcover, delivery may be a bit quicker from Friesen Press than Harold.
Harold recommends Friesen Press, the actual publisher,
but you can order through any of the commercial sites, see the links below.
directly from Harold.
For an unsigned hardcover, delivery may be a bit quicker from Friesen Press than Harold.
Harold recommends Friesen Press, the actual publisher,
but you can order through any of the commercial sites, see the links below.
ISBNs: Paperback: 978-1-03-834489-2 , Hardcover: 978-1-03-834490-8, eBook: 978-1-03-834491-5
About the Author
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Reverend Dr. Harold Munn, B.A., M.Div, D.Min, DD., has led congregations ranging from tiny churches in Canada’s far north to All Saints’ Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta. He is an associate of the international Society for Ordained Scientists, and has received awards for his writing. In addition to the cross-cultural experience of being a priest in secular culture, Harold has lived in, or in close proximity to, many cross-cultural contexts, teaching science in East Africa; with miners in northern B.C.; with oppressed women in Edmonton’s inner city; with First Nations villages in the Yukon, on the Naas River, and on Vancouver Island; in Victoria addressing homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues; and in prisons outside Vancouver. He has been active in movements opposing nuclear war, supporting social justice, and urging action to address climate collapse.
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Rev. Munn lives on the campus of UBC, Vancouver, with his wife of fifty years. They have two adult sons and four grandchildren whom he claims can be scientifically proven to be the most delightful grandkids in the world.
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