This review of Damian White and Nicholas Pevzner's 'Designing the Just Transition' explores how architects and designers can respond to climate change without falling into either cynicism or unrealistic optimism. The book connects design history, labor movements, and environmental policy to map out practical pathways for decarbonization and equitable transitions. The article highlights the book's focus on the built environment, which accounts for about 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its argument that design must be iterative and adaptive to a turbulent climate. It also addresses the tension between individual action and systemic change, and how designers can push for meaningful work and economic security alongside sustainability. For readers interested in climate policy, building efficiency, or just transition frameworks, this review offers a concise overview of the book's key ideas and its relevance to current decarbonization efforts.
