Humans have a lot of work to do if we’re going to keep this planet habitable. It’s easy to dwell on the second part of that statement, but the first part is good news: If we put in the work, our species can enjoy a long, prosperous future here on Earth.
It all comes down to what decisions we act upon today. These eight books offer guidance through the complex terrain of our current moment so that we can pave our way to sustainable civilization.
The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire: Why Our Species Is on the Edge of Extinction
By Henry Gee
With assured narration, dramatic stories, and his signature sprightly humor, Henry Gee envisions new opportunities for the future of humanity―a future that will reward facing challenges with ingenuity, foresight, and cooperation. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Henry Gee, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
InEVitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles
By Mike Colias
A Wall Street Journal reporter’s sweeping portrait of the EV gold rush and what it means for all of us. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Mike Colias, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul
By Auden Schendler
A firsthand, trench-view story of the failure of the modern corporate sustainability movement—and an inspiring prescription for positive change. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Auden Schendler, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future
By Vince Beiser
How the metals we need to power technology and energy are spawning environmental havoc, political upheaval, and murder—and how we can do better. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Vince Beiser, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
When the Ice Is Gone: What a Greenland Ice Core Reveals About Earth’s Tumultuous History and Perilous Future
By Paul Bierman
Paul Bierman’s realization that Greenland’s ice sheet melted when Earth was no warmer than today sounds an alarm for our planet. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Paul Bierman, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War
By Tom Steyer
Renowned investor and climate champion Tom Steyer gives us a unique and unvarnished perspective on how we can all fight climate change—joyfully, knowledgeably, and even profitably—at a time of unparalleled consequence and opportunity. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Tom Steyer, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World
By Edward Humes
An investigative narrative that dives into the waste embedded in our daily lives—and shows how individuals and communities are making a real difference for health, prosperity, quality of life and the fight against climate change. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Edward Humes, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet
By Hannah Ritchie
Packed with the latest research, practical guidance, and enlightening graphics, this book will make you rethink almost everything you’ve been told about the environment. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Hannah Ritchie, in the Next Big Idea App or View on Amazon
The Key Ideas in 15 Minutes
“If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books,” Roald Dahl once famously said. The only trouble is, reading even one book from cover to cover takes hours—and you may not have many hours to spare.
But imagine for a moment: What if you could read a groundbreaking new book every day? Or even better, what if you could invite a world-renowned thinker into your earbuds, where they personally describe the 5 key takeaways from their work in just 15 minutes?
With the Next Big Idea App, we’ve turned this fantasy into a reality. We partnered with hundreds of acclaimed authors to create “Book Bites,” short audio summaries of the latest nonfiction that are prepared and read aloud by the authors themselves. Discover cutting-edge leadership skills, productivity hacks, the science of happiness and well-being, and much more—all in the time it takes to drive to work or walk the dog.
Go Deeper with a Next Big Idea Club Membership
The Next Big Idea App is free for anyone to try—and if you love it, we invite you to become an official member of the Next Big Idea Club. Membership grants you unlimited access to Book Bites and unlocks early-release, ad-free episodes of our LinkedIn-partnered podcast. You also gain entry to our private online discussion group, where you can talk big ideas with fellow club members and join exclusive live Q&A sessions with featured authors.
For a more focused learning experience, we recommend a Hardcover or eBook Membership. Every few months, legendary authors and club curators Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink select two new nonfiction books as the must-reads of the season. We then send hardcover copies straight to your doorstep, or eBook versions to your favorite digital device. We also collaborate with the authors of selected books to produce original reading guides and premium video e-courses, 50-minute master classes that take you step by step through their most life-changing ideas. And yes, it’s all available through the Next Big Idea App.
Learn Faster, from the World’s Leading Thinkers
Whether you prefer to read, listen, or watch, the Next Big Idea is here to help you work smarter and live better. Wake up with an always-fresh Idea of the Day, the perfect shot of inspiration to go with your morning coffee. Then dive into one of our Challenges, hand-picked collections of Book Bites that form crash courses in subjects like communication, motivation, and career acceleration. Later, watch the playback of an interview with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, or philosopher John Kaag. And be sure to check the “Events” tab in the app, so that you can join an upcoming live Q&A and personally chat with the next featured thought leader.
If you’re hoping to grow as a person or as a professional, we hope you’ll join us and tens of thousands of others who enjoy the Next Big Idea. Get started by downloading the app today!
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