The Mayor of London - diagnosed with asthma at the age of 43 due to the appalling pollution in the capital - presents his seven-step plan for environmental activism and arguing against sceptics and Climate Change deniers.
A seven-step guide to winning support for tough action on climate change - the first book from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
For many years, Sadiq wasn't fully aware of the dangers posed by air pollution, nor its connection with climate change. Then, at the age of 43, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with adult-onset asthma - brought on by the polluted London air he had been breathing for decades.
Scandalised, Sadiq underwent a political transformation that would see him become one of the most prominent global politicians fighting (and winning) elections on green issues. Since becoming Mayor of London in 2016, he has declared a climate emergency, introduced the world's first Ultra-Low Emission Zone, built hundreds of kilometres of new cycle lanes, led a drive for affordable insulation in council homes, and turned London into the first ever 'National Park City'.
But with every year bringing more wildfires, extreme temperatures and flooding - and with around 4,000 people still dying prematurely from London's polluted air every year, with older, working class and ethnic minority Londoners most affected - there is so much more to do.
Now, Sadiq draws on his experiences to identify the seven ways environmental action gets blown off course. And he reveals how to get it back on track, by:
- Proving to sceptics that the climate crisis is a health crisis too;
- Overcoming voters' cynicism by building coalitions across the political spectrum;
- Shaking hands with everyone from your fiercest opponents to the most steadfast climate activists (even if you're a bit worried they might superglue you).
Breathe is a call to action demonstrating how anyone - whether voter, activist or politician - can win the argument on climate. It will help create a world where we can all breathe again.
Publisher: Cornerstone
ISBN: 9781529152784
Number of pages: 224
Weight: 340 g
Dimensions: 223 x 145 x 22 mm
A warm, optimistic, urgent call for change - Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland
A true climate leader . . . Sadiq recognises that the struggles for social justice and climate justice cannot be separated but go hand-in-hand - Ed Miliband
If you want to build a greener world, you need to win people round to green politics. This remarkable book offers a transformative insight into how - Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris
Since his election, Mayor Sadiq Khan has shown the world that transformative green politics is possible - Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Cities are where we will lose or win the climate change battle. This book offers a compelling torch of light on the path forward - Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The strategic lessons he imparts mark him out as an exemplar for an age of climate breakdown . . . Deserves to be widely read . . . Breathe is a breath of fresh air, offering an antidote to cynicism and demonstrating the power of a politics that aims to bring people together in the search for solutions. - Observer
Practical and highly readable . . . For those wanting evidence that climate policies need not be the political kryptonite so many politicians fear, Khan's book makes a convincing - and uplifting - case. - Financial Times
Hilarious, uplifting and yet often unexpectedly moving, Breathe reveals what life as Mayor is really like - and offers powerful tools for anyone who wants to win the argument on climate - Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue
Combines laugh-out-load anecdotes with real insight into delivering effective action for climate . . . An absolute must read for anyone interested in politics for progressive change - Jemima Hartshorn, co-founder of Mums for Lungs
Sadiq Khan's outstanding leadership on climate change has put London at the forefront of the global effort to stop it. This book shows the importance of doing more, faster - Mike Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York
This funny, thoughtful and empowering book is filled with fascinating glimpses into life at City Hall . . . A powerful and practical riposte to anyone losing hope in the ability of politicians to tackle the climate crisis - Ed Balls
It doesn't get much more fundamental than our right to breathe clean air and Sadiq Khan's hard-hitting book propels this issue into our consciousness - Thomas Heatherwick
At 43, the Mayor of London was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma - brought on by the polluted capital city air. Breathe is his rousing and thoughtful investigation into the politics of the climate crisis - and the path forward. - Independent
An accessible, salutary read - well-written and sprinkled with anecdotes. - The House
Very hopeful and interesting. - Richard Herring
A slick read, passionate and authentic on climate issues. - GQ
Inspiring, passionate, a great read! - Sarah Woolnough, CEO Asthma and Lung UK
For those feeling disheartened by the scale of the environmental crisis - and the lack of meaningful action on behalf of most political leaders - Breathe is a refreshing and galvanising call to action. - Vogue
Quite the page-turner. - Evening Standard
An eye-opening insight into what it's like trying to fight for the planet from inside the decision-makers. - IFL Science
