Wildfire acquires 'first comprehensive account of the geopolitics of climate change'

Wildfire has acquired Elemental: How the Climate Crisis is Driving Conflict and Will Change Global Power Relations by former British diplomat and podcast host Arthur Snell.

Editorial director Philip Connor acquired world rights from Michael Dean at Andrew Nurnberg Associates. Elemental will be published in hardback, e-book and audiobook in 2025.

It is described by the publisher as “the first comprehensive account of the geopolitics of climate change". It goes on: ”From the heat of the Sahel to the Arctic Circle, climate change is coinciding with a breakdown in geopolitical order, increasing conflict, military spending and violence.

“Climate change will accelerate conflict over rare earths, food scarcity, mass migration and natural disasters – the established world order will be shaken to its core. Through four sections – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – Elemental blends reportage with analysis and interviews from a range of international experts, policymakers and politicians, to reveal the turbulent future we face – and the choices we need to make to avert disaster.”

Snell is a former British diplomat and expert on global geopolitics and climate change. He has over 25 years’ experience in conflict zones and fragile states throughout the Middle East and Africa, and advised governments on a range of security and diplomatic questions. He is also the climate and conflict lead for the Global Enduring Disorder Project (in partnership with the NATO Defence College), and host of the geopolitics podcast “Doomsday Watch”.

Connor said: “This book is an extraordinary collection of case studies that will help readers better understand both the world of today, and tomorrow – all insightful and vital. Arthur has the perfect blend of experience for the project, mixing expert analysis and experience with on-the-ground reporting from some of the world’s most at risk regions."

Snell said: “Demographic, economic and political changes that would have occurred over decades, even centuries, are now happening in just a few years, thanks to the accelerating effect of the climate crisis.

“Describing and explaining this bewildering turbulence is an exciting, and daunting challenge. I can’t think of a more important or interesting subject to write about.”