The Future of Climate Change in the Berkshires

Author David Guenette will present a talk titled “The Future of Climate Change in the Berkshires” on Wednesday, December 10, at 4:00 p.m. at the Lee Public Library.
Guenette will discuss the themes of his literary climate fiction series, The Steep Climes Quartet, and read from the upcoming third book in the series, Over Brooklyn Hills, set to publish in Spring 2026.

This event marks Guenette’s ninth talk on the subject, though the conversation has shifted significantly over time. “There’s less need to make the case for climate change action—an overwhelming majority of Americans now consider climate change to be a serious problem,” Guenette notes.

The presentation will explore how local life in Western Massachusetts will change over the coming decades, while also addressing the global “Electrotech Revolution” and the ongoing tension between established fossil fuel interests and the rising abundance of clean energy. Guenette’s work is distinct in the “Cli-Fi” genre for its focus on the “how”—specifically, how society navigates the transition from our current reality to a sustainable future between now and 2047.