Seth Klein – A Good War: Book Review

Canada is falling behind on its global commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is bound to face grave consequences if the country fails to implement resilient carbon reduction policies. Seth Klein, a Vancouver resident and well-respected climate policy researcher specializing in issues of climate policy, inequality, and economic security, envisions a new plan for a federal response to the climate crisis. Unlike typical climate policy books that tend to form a cynical view of climate policy, Klein creates a hopeful engagement by analysing the mobilization of the climate crisis in comparison to Canada’s involvement in the Second World War. 

A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency sets out a roadmap for the re-organization of the Canadian government to move towards carbon reduction strategies in a global crisis. Klein’s argument hinges on the striking similarity between the urgent mobilization during the World Wars and the imperative mobilization required to tackle today’s climate crisis. As Klein remarks, “a wartime-level mobilization is needed if we are to eliminate all these sources of GHGs in the next three decades, and preferably sooner” to meet the global target of holding off a 1.5°C degree increase.^[1]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), 185

A Good War offers insightful commentary and discussion on the policy surrounding sustainable environmental change, from energy policy, fiscal policy, social issues, and Indigenous relations. He doesn’t just point out the problems – such as the Canadian oil sands’ contribution to GHG emissions – but also presents a series of innovative and actionable solutions.^[2]David Moscrop, A New Book Calls on Canadians to Mobilize for the Climate Crisis like World War II, Macleans.ca, September 16, 2020 While the book is focused on Canadian initiatives, the framework established and presented by Klein offers a critical lens for any politician or political leader who is faced with the task of helping solve this climate crisis. 

Klein begins the book by outlining “New Climate Denialism”, an insidious form of denialism which has manifested throughout the fossil fuel industry and with political leaders who are in denial about the scientific reality of climate policy.^[3]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), XXI Klein uses this concept to help readers understand the barriers we stand against, and the potential to overcome these blockades.

This denialism is further explored in the book Doppelganger by Klein’s sibling Naomi Klein,^[4]Naomi Klein, Doppelganger (Knopf Canada, 2023) examining the role of conspiracy theories in dividing and polarizing the media. Disinformation channels can create “illusory truth effects”, where repeated exposure to claims over a short period of time can make them appear more convincing.^[5]Michelle Cyca, Politicians Should Stop Lying about the Environment, The Narwhal, January 2, 2025 This is critical in social media as false claims can blow up overnight, exposing voters to outrageous theories.^[6]Michelle Cyca, Politicians Should Stop Lying about the Environment, The Narwhal, January 2, 2025 For Canadians, this new denialism and polarizing media has been used by conservatives in the media to frame climate change as a falsehood and leftist plot, resulting in limited environmental reform.

Klein outlines Canada’s role as one of the world’s top oil producers, where the majority of emissions are produced by extracting the Albertan oil sands. In 2017 alone, the oil sands produced 81 mega-tonnes of carbon pollution, consequently nearly equivalent to the total domestic carbon emissions.^[7]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), 34 Today, Canada is at a crossroads, where to successfully meet the 1.5°C degree promise, climate policy must outshine oil and gas investments. This involves leaving 86% of fossil fuels unextracted in the oil sands, but as Klein explains, for a government infiltrated by this new denialism, we still have several steps to take.^[8]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), 55

Building upon Canada’s failure to address the carbon emissions from the oil and gas sector, Klein presents a road map for a comprehensive plan of action that is rooted in the urgency of the World War mobilization. This federal plan aims to tackle the economy, inequality, and social solidarity by creating a new political framework. Klein’s plan of action is to be accomplished through World War initiatives like Green Bonds (wartime Victory Bonds) which “would be used to pay for public infrastructure needed to respond to and tackle climate change” and were previously key to the World War efforts.^[10]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), 254

Another key component of Klein’s federal program is the creation of crown corporations which would include but are not limited to renewable energy corporations, housing and retrofit corporations, high-speed rail corporations, corporations to oversee reforestation, and coordination of waste reuse. Moreover, Klein suggests a carbon tax on the wealthier high-GHG emitters, which is projected to raise “$80 billion a year” at a federal level.^[12]Seth Klein, A Good War (ECW Press, 2020), 257

The only significant criticism to be made against Klein is that his concentration on the benefits of a carbon tax ignores the considerable benefits of direct control over fossil fuel supply to the market. EcoCore advocates for establishing a Carbon Accounts policy of national carbon allowances for residents, to create a carbon pricing mechanism for corporations. This policy presents significant potential to limit the emissions by imposing a carbon price on all products, thereby necessitating companies to develop an internal carbon budget.

A Good War is not only a call to action but a source of inspiration, urging Canadians to seize this pivotal moment as the federal election looms. Canadians have the opportunity in the upcoming election to pick new leadership with strong environmental policies that can bend the curve on GHG emissions. Klein’s vision for a sustainable future is both practical and optimistic, reminding us that swift progress towards decarbonization is within reach if we rally together. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the climate crisis and eager to explore how political will and collective action can drive us towards environmental justice.

Klein’s A Good War critically compares the swift mobilization during World War II and evaluates the federal participation levels required for the current climate crisis. To prevent Canadian and global climate disasters like heat waves, wildfires, and environmental degradation, we must drastically reduce oil and gas sector emissions by leaving fossil fuels in the ground and eliminating federal fossil fuel investments. Overall, Klein presents a crucial reflection on climate politics and economic governance that prompts us to reconsider climate action and prioritize environmental justice. 

EcoCore is funded by the small regular subscriptions of individual donors like you. Please sign up via Patreon: