Hutchinson Heinemann lands Sadiq Khan’s debut book on tackling the climate emergency

Hutchinson Heinemann has landed mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s debut book, Breathe.

Helen Conford, publisher, and Rowan Borchers, editorial director, acquired UK and commonwealth rights to the “seven-step guide to winning support for tough climate action” from Jonny Geller at Curtis Brown, for publication in hardback, e-book and audiobook on 4th May 2023, followed by a Penguin paperback in 2024.

The publisher synopsis reads: “For many years, Sadiq wasn’t fully aware of the dangers posed by air pollution, nor its connection with climate change. Then, at the age of 43, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with adult-onset asthma – brought on by the polluted London air he had been breathing for decades.

“Scandalised, Sadiq underwent a political transformation that would see him become one of the most prominent global politicians fighting (and winning) elections on green issues.

“Since becoming mayor of London in 2016, he has declared a climate emergency, introduced the world’s first Ultra-Low Emission Zone, built hundreds of kilometres of new cycle lanes, led a drive for affordable insulation in council homes, and turned London into the first ever ‘National Park City’.

“But with every year bringing more wildfires, extreme temperatures and flooding – and with around 4,000 people still dying prematurely from London’s polluted air every year, with older, working class and ethnic minority Londoners most affected – there is so much more to do. Here, Sadiq draws on his experiences to identify the seven ways environmental action gets blown off course.

“Breathe is a call to action demonstrating how anyone – whether voter, activist or politician – can win the argument on climate. It will help create a world where we can all breathe again."

Khan said: “Climate change is the biggest threat facing our world, and since being elected mayor I’ve made it a mission to clean up London’s killer air pollution and reduce our carbon emissions so we can build a better, greener city for everyone.

“This summer has shown climate change isn’t a faraway problem. London saw record temperatures, an official drought declared and wildfires raging across the city. I hope this book spurs more people on to the urgent action we need to fight climate change."

Conford commented: “I’ve long admired the way Sadiq has put climate action at the heart of London’s politics. This book reveals how we can move towards the policies we so desperately need.”