Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future is tale about addressing climate change. While the main plot revolves around the head of a UN agency charged with addressing global warming and an individual suffering from PTSD due to a catastrophic heat wave, various discussions concerning the economic, legal, political, sociological, financial, and philosophical aspects of climate change are interspersed. Also mixed in are various scientific and technological approaches including atmospheric seeding, polar painting, improving ocean carbon capture, and slowing glaciers from raising sea levels.
Robinson keeps the science fiction well ground but pushes the limits. At the same time, all the other ruminations and impediments along the way demonstrate that the issues are bigger than merely a scientific fix. While the suggestion of fomenting destruction and murder of carbon producers may be a bit too far, he is certainly suggesting that aggressive approaches will be needed to ensure timely implementation.
The narration is handled by an ensemble cast that is well suited to rapidly shifting perspectives and points of view. Pacing is brisk but be prepared to back up and listen again to some of the dense and meaty topics under discussion.