The Announcement is a work of climate fiction and considerate thinking penned by author Jim D Buchanan. We fast forward to the near future of 2024 for the novel to take place, in a time when the effects of global warming are much more keenly felt thanks to the population’s ignorance of the situation. From there we explore the situation of the world’s fate through the eyes of several different friends and what climate change means to them, taking us on a compartmentalized narrative which later forms an overall and very impactful theme about the dangers of ignoring climate change now. A sad and chilling future awaits those who dare to do so.

Author Jim D Buchanan writes with both heart and a well considered, science-based approach to climate fiction, which is what the genre needs for it to be really heard in the wider world. As a climate fiction writer myself, I really enjoyed Buchanan’s take on the epistolary novel style of writing, where different perspectives are brought together as ‘essays’ of experience that make up the overall theme. This is a very human book with simple narrative voices that speak volumes in their own different ways, and the combination of those voices sends a much wider message to the current world. I believe that The Announcement and books of its type are a must-read for the world nowadays, and the work of Jim D Buchanan presents a well written and engaging work of fiction that has real implications for the world of facts.

The Announcement by Jim D Buchanan is a realistic story with strong contemporary themes mixed with a deadly conspiracy. Set in 2024, there are ominous signs that global warming is about to put humanity out of existence. The news media has reported the announcement from a consortium of scientists, explaining “the charts and graphs showing how a series of domino tipping points forecast the certain extinction of over 90 percent of all life on the planet.” It’s hard to believe and many people have succumbed to denial. Against the backdrop of the disturbing announcement from scientist Eton Wu, the narrator calls seven of his long-time friends and what ensues is a meeting that might define the future of humanity. But how?

This is a novel on a crucial subject with themes that address current global warming issues. The author makes strong statements and explores how the top one percent of wealthy people can be the virus of humanity, drawing parallels to the Black Plague that almost destroyed humanity. A plague designed to destroy the human species destroyed millions of species. The writing is filled with relevant insights, and social and political commentaries on the place of power in the economy of human relationships. Here is one of the insightful statements that call for reflection: “Men in power who don’t have the mental capacity to organize and apply governing principles are the ones who will go down the dark and dirty road of self-aggrandizing superiority. We’ve watched this for many years now.” Readers are still watching the same reality today. Jim D Buchanan’s novel is intelligently written to engage readers in dialogue with the kind of government they have. The dialogues are brilliant and and logically developed without losing their ability to entertain readers and excite their minds. The Announcement reads like a political thriller, featuring memorable characters, and crucial themes. A must-read!

The world is about to end, and no one knows what to do about it, because there’s nothing to do about it. Scientists aren’t warning about making changes anymore. Now they’re talking about the imminent end and the destruction of practically everything in the world, but for eight friends, it’s a chance to look at much more. Each of these individuals - Caitlin with her story of a life poorly lived and the history of much of the world or Donny’s story of loss - has something to share with the others. The Announcement by Jim D. Buchanan is the story of what the future really could be and what it will be as the world truly falls apart.

The end of the world is upon us and if you hope to survive you’re going to need to prepare far more. For these friends, understanding what has happened and just what it could mean for their future is crucial. Being able to explain what they’ve felt, what they believe about the way the world works and a whole lot more will lead Kirk, Udolf, Belinda and all the rest to understand what’s to come. But is there a possibility? Is there hope? Or is the world entirely doomed to fail in The Announcement by Jim D. Buchanan? Each of these characters is strong, dependable, devoted, and determined to see the world around them better, but there’s little they can do. The scientists have spoken, and the world … well, it just might be all over now.