The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times

In Part 1, Jane and Doug talk about their differing opinions on whether “stories” or qualitative data are a better tool to convince people about the power and importance of hope. What is the difference between these two approaches in the text? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Can they be reconciled?

What other emotions or motivations besides hope are useful for inspiring people to commit to change? What emotions, assumptions, or habits does the text suggest present obstacles to change?

How do Jane and Doug explain hope’s relationship to the environment? In what ways can hope be an effective tool against climate change and ecological destruction?

Why is youth education and activism important to Jane? What role do advocacy and education play, if any, in your own life?

Look up the Roots and Shoots group nearest to you. What are their current initiatives? What problems do they address? How do they embody (or diverge from) some of the tactics and ideas Jane shares in the text?

Analyze how science and naturalism are depicted in the text. How is each characterized? What are the differences and similarities? How does each field shape humans’ relationship with nature?

Doug and Jane discuss the way that the lives and ecosystems of plants and animals are interrelated. How is this interrelation described, and what is its significance? How does an interrelated view challenge, or contrast with, traditional views of nature and humans’ connection to their environment?

One of the strategies Doug and Jane discuss for helping the environment is “rewilding.” How does rewilding differ from other types of conservation efforts? What have been some of the successes and problems faced by rewilding schemes?