New book shows how Californians are improving climate resilience

“Climate Stewardship" is a collection of personal stories of individuals who are striving to improve climate resilience.

Wildfires that generate their own weather, drought, record-breaking heatwaves, and frequent flooding are compelling more people to try to mitigate and adapt to climate change. A new book co-authored by Adina Merenlender, UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Berkeley, shows how Californians are working together across diverse communities and landscapes to improve resilience and address climate justice. 

“Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California,” published by UC Press, will be required reading for participants of the UC Climate Stewards certification course, but it isn't a textbook. The book is a collection of personal stories of individuals who are striving to improve climate resilience.

“The stories, many gathered through UCCE extension efforts, show what everyday people can do together to improve community resilience across agricultural, natural and urban landscapes,” Merenlender said. “'Climate Stewardship' also offers an uplifting way to learn about climate science that is most relevant for California's communities and ecosystems.”

"My parents, Siong and Fong Tchieng, are picking green bell, purple bell, and sweet Italian peppers. The shade is to help prevent sunburn on the peppers during the hot summer in Fresno," wrote Ka Tchieng. Michael Yang, UCCE small farms and specialty crops Hmong agricultural assistant, works with these farmers to advance climate-smart agriculture. Photo by Ka Tchieng

Merenlender suggests UC ANR colleagues consider sharing the book, which is written for a lay audience, with their clientele.

“It is written in narrative form with stories meant to showcase what can be done and some relevant climate science is woven throughout,” she said. “For this reason, it is meant to be of interest to a wide California audience.” 

The book is illustrated with original paintings by Obi Kaufmann, author of “The California Field Atlas,” and co-authored by Brendan Buhler, an award-winning science writer.

For more information about the book, see the California Naturalist blog at http://calnat.ucanr.edu/cs/Climate_Stewardship. To buy the book with a 30% discount, use code 20W8895 at https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520378940/climate-stewardship.

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