Jem first studied the problem of climate chaos at Cambridge University in 1994. As a professional in sustainability management, policy and research, in 2018 Jem asked himself could he continue to work with the assumption or hope that we can slow down climate change, or respond to it sufficiently to sustain our civilisation?

The news reports showed the reality of climate disasters, and the lack of meaningful action from our world leaders. Seeing a need to prepare for the collapse of many systems, Jem asked what could provide a map for people to navigate this extremely difficult issue and he drew on a range of reading and experiences from over 25 years in the sustainability field to outline an agenda for what he terms “deep adaptation” to climate change.