Imagine—A New Path Through the Planetary Emergency: A Guide to Embracing Chaos

Our world is at a critical juncture. We face a convergence of ecological, social, and cultural crises that can rightly be called a planetary emergency. In this moment of profound uncertainty, the search for simple, actionable solutions often leads to frustration. A new book from Slanted Publishers, Imagine—Embracing Chaos and Possibility in a Planetary Emergency, offers a compelling alternative. This is not a manual for fixing the world. Instead, it is a curated space for reflection, a collection of conversations designed to help us navigate these turbulent times.

The book proposes a radical idea. It suggests that before we can act, we must first learn to sit with the complexity of our situation. It serves as a thoughtful companion, gathering a multitude of ideas to inspire new relationships with ourselves, with society, and with the planet. This work invites you to pause and engage with the chaos, not as something to be feared, but as a source of immense possibility.

The book is available for purchase from the Slanted Publishers online shop.

A Book That Asks Questions, Not a Guide with Answers

Imagine—Embracing Chaos and Possibility in a Planetary Emergency stands apart from the many non-fiction books that claim to have the solutions to our global crisis. Editors Laura François and Natalie Seisser have intentionally curated an interdisciplinary collection of reflections that values inquiry over instruction. The book’s primary aim is to open up a space for deep thought and meaningful dialogue. It avoids easy answers because, frankly, there are none. The editors instead provide a rich tapestry of perspectives, encouraging you to weave your own understanding. It is a tool for building resilience in a world that demands it.

Why We Must Embrace Chaos in a Planetary Emergency

The term “planetary emergency” can feel paralyzing. It describes a reality so vast and complex that individual action can seem futile. This is precisely why this book’s premise is so vital. By inviting us to embrace chaos, it encourages a shift in mindset away from a need for control and toward a state of active, engaged awareness. How can we find stability in a system that is inherently unstable? The book argues that true resilience comes not from rigid plans, but from the flexibility to adapt, learn, and imagine different futures. It is a necessary counterpoint to the often-unhelpful noise of prescriptive, top-down solutions. This approach feels more honest, more human, and ultimately, more hopeful.

Voices from the Vanguard of Thought

The authority of Imagine—Embracing Chaos comes from its contributors. The editors have gathered a remarkable group of thinkers, artists, and practitioners who provide a truly global and interdisciplinary perspective on our planetary emergency. Their voices offer a nuanced exploration of the challenges we face.

• Nora Bateson brings her pioneering work in systems theory. She helps us understand the interconnected nature of our crises, moving beyond linear cause-and-effect thinking to see the intricate patterns that shape our world. Her insights are essential for anyone seeking a more holistic understanding of the planetary emergency.
• Vanessa Machado de Oliveira, an expert in education, offers critical perspectives on how we can confront global challenges without falling into traps of denial or simplistic fixes. Her work pushes readers to engage with uncomfortable truths.
• Rudi Putra, an Indonesian biologist and environmental activist, provides a direct link to the front lines of ecological protection. His experience fighting deforestation brings a grounded, urgent reality to the book’s more theoretical discussions.
• Brother Phap Linh, a senior teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition, offers the wisdom of Buddhist practice. He explores how mindfulness and compassion can serve as anchors in turbulent times, helping us cultivate inner peace as a foundation for collective action.

This blend of expertise ensures that the book is not an academic echo chamber. Instead, it is a living conversation between diverse fields, each offering a unique lens through which to view our shared reality.

Design as a Form of Dialogue

Slanted Publishers is renowned for producing books that are as beautiful to hold as they are to read, and this publication is no exception. The design, artfully directed by Viola Dessin and Lars Harmsen, is an integral part of the book’s message. Its hardcover format, complete with a classic headband and elegant hot-foil embossing, signals that this is an object to be kept and cherished. The use of changing paper stocks and full-color offset printing creates a tactile journey for the reader. In a digital age, this commitment to craftsmanship is a statement in itself. It suggests that the ideas within are worthy of a lasting physical form, inviting you to slow down and engage with them on a deeper level.

Imagine—Embracing Chaos and Possibility in a Planetary Emergency is an essential companion for our times. It does not offer a map out of our current predicament. Instead, it provides something far more valuable: a compass for the journey. By fostering curiosity and encouraging new ways of seeing, it equips you with the tools to navigate the complexity ahead. It stands as a powerful testament to the idea that in an age of crisis, our greatest resource is, and always will be, our imagination.

This important publication was made possible with the kind support of Awe Exchange.

Publication Details:

• Publisher: Slanted Publishers
• Editors: Laura François, Natalie Seisser
• Curator: Natalie Seisser
• Design: Viola Dessin, Lars Harmsen (AD)
• Release: September 2025
• Format: 12 × 19 cm
• Volume: 160 pages
• Language: English
• Printer: Stober Medien
• Workmanship: Hardcover with headband, hot-foil embossing, thread-stitching, full color offset printing, changing papers
• ISBN: 978-3-948440-89-3
• Price: € 28.–

All images © Slanted Publishers. Check out WE AND THE COLOR’s Book category for more recommended publications.