Can we recognise the seriousness of the world's problems while still believing that meaningful change is possible?

In Hopeful Pessimism, philosopher Mara van der Lugt challenges the idea that optimism is always the best response to climate change and environmental destruction. Instead, she argues that acknowledging difficult realities can be a powerful motivation for action.

Drawing on the ideas of thinkers and writers including J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Shelley, and Albert Camus, van der Lugt explores the relationship between hope, despair, activism, and our responsibility towards the planet.

Rather than seeing pessimism as giving up, she presents it as a way of facing uncertainty honestly while continuing to work towards a better future.

Thought-provoking and insightful, Hopeful Pessimism offers a fresh perspective on climate anxiety, environmental responsibility, and finding the courage to act even when the outcome is uncertain.