The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here

Jahren’s focus on the consumer habits of private individuals is a consistent theme throughout the book. Use less and share more, she encourages. Do you think this motto is a smart approach to fighting climate change? Why or why not?

While most scholars who write about climate change remove any personal anecdotes that might reveal their own background, Jahren does the opposite. What were some of the author’s childhood stories that stood out to you? Why?

Does Jahren reveal her motives for publishing The Story of More? How might these have influenced the way she frames her arguments and data?

Jahren is a well-established academic professor who has published dozens of peer-reviewed research articles. Do you think Jahren intended The Story of More to be an academic text? Who is the book’s intended audience?

Most books about global warming, population growth, and environmental destruction have a reputation for being depressing. Does Jahren avoid this trap? What mood does The Story of More impart on the reader?

In the Appendix, Jahren provides some clear steps to reducing consumerism in our personal lives. What actions can you take to reduce your consumption of electricity, sugar, meat, or fossil fuels?

The Story of More includes 19 short chapters—a large number for a book under 200 pages in length. What do you think was Jahren’s reason for writing such brief chapters? Was her choice effective?

Jahren has taught at a number of universities. Scanning the book, can you find examples of her teaching experience? What kinds of activities did she create for her students to teach the complex topic of climate change?