The Carbon Almanac

What The Carbon Almanac does

The Carbon Almanac is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit climate change education initiative founded in 2022 and coordinated by Seth Godin. It produces accessible, citation-backed content on carbon science, climate impacts, and individual and collective solutions, organized around a flagship reference book authored by a network of more than 300 volunteer contributors spanning 90+ countries, alongside endorsements from Jane Goodall, Michael Mann, Margaret Atwood, and other public figures. The core product is The Carbon Almanac book, distributed through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple Books, Kobo, Target, and Indigo, with a Spanish-language edition (El Almanaque del Carbono) launched in 2023.

The offering extends well beyond print. Free digital products include the Generation Carbon children's ebook and audiobook (available in 10+ languages), the Educator's Guide PDF, the Climate Quest board game, the With Your Own Eyes photo book, and four podcasts (The Carbon Almanac Collective, Generation Carbon, CarbonSessions, The Carbon Connection). Engagement is sustained via The Daily Difference newsletter and a 2,000+ Global Changemakers community distributed across more than 35 countries. Strategic partners include Ecosia (carbon-negative search engine), McCann Worldgroup, Automattic, LinkedIn's Social Impact program, Getty Images, the New York Public Library, and The Climate Reality Project.

The business model is essentially one-time book sales routed through standard retail channels, with no paid staff, no disclosed funding rounds, no enterprise contracts, and no subscription tier. Reach is built via community-led word-of-mouth, earned media coverage (Inc.com, Fast Company, Wired Italia, Publishers Lunch), and a 2022 Data Literacy Award for Most Insightful Data Book. Customer segments span general consumers, children and families, educators, industry professionals seeking sustainability references, and climate-focused media.

Name

The Carbon Almanac

Legal name

The Carbon Almanac Network

Website

https://thecarbonalmanac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Carbon Almanac is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that publishes accessible, citation-backed climate change content for consumers, families, and educators, anchored by a flagship book created by 300+ contributors across 90+ countries and distributed through major retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Change Education Publishing

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon Neutrality/Claims Strategy & Communications (claims substantiation, greenwashing risk) (EUABAKAK)

Keywords

• Climate change education
• Environmental reference books
• Sustainability content publishing
• Climate science resources
• Nonprofit climate advocacy

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Sales of The Carbon Almanac book through major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple Books (iBooks), Kobo, Indigo, Target, and Good Reads. Also available in Spanish as 'El Almanaque del Carbono'.
2. Generation Carbon (Kids Edition): Free digital resources (ebook, audiobook) for children to learn about climate change. Paperback version sold on Amazon.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Carbon Almanac publishes and distributes a comprehensive climate change reference book and a portfolio of free educational companions, including a children's edition (Generation Carbon), a Spanish edition (El Almanaque del Carbono), a photo book, a board game, an Educator's Guide, podcasts, and a daily newsletter. All content is created by a global network of 300+ volunteer contributors and sold through major retailers, with most digital resources offered free of charge to drive awareness and climate action.

Product overview

The Carbon Almanac is a climate change education platform built around a multi-format content ecosystem. The core product is The Carbon Almanac book (available in English and Spanish as El Almanaque del Carbono), a reference work created by over 300 volunteer contributors. Supporting the book are specialized editions including Generation Carbon for children, the With Your Own Eyes photo book, and a Climate Quest board game. The organization extends engagement through a podcast network (The Carbon Almanac Collective, Generation Carbon, CarbonSessions, and The Carbon Connection), a daily newsletter (The Daily Difference), and an Educator's Guide companion resource. All products share the mission of making climate science accessible and actionable for diverse audiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Carbon Almanac Collective: A podcast where volunteers who created the Carbon Almanac share insights and aha moments from collaborating on the project.
• CarbonSessions
• The Carbon Connection

Products and services

• The Carbon Almanac Book A comprehensive climate change reference book providing reliable, accessible facts about carbon, climate science, and actionable solutions. Features essays, graphs, cartoons, tables, and resources from over 300 volunteer contributors across 90+ countries. Sold through major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple Books, Kobo, Target, and Indigo.
• El Almanaque del Carbono (Spanish Edition) Spanish language edition of The Carbon Almanac, making climate change information accessible to Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Generation Carbon (Kids Edition) A free eBook designed for children aged 5-10 to learn about climate change, available in multiple languages including a dyslexia-friendly version, accompanied by a podcast and educational activities. A paperback version is sold on Amazon.
• Climate Quest Board Game A free downloadable board game that teaches players about pathways to a net-zero future through gameplay.
• With Your Own Eyes: Climate Change in Photos A photo book collection curated to show climate change impacts through photography, featuring art by Shepard Fairey. Available as free PDF downloads.
• Educator's Guide A free 60-page downloadable PDF companion guide for teachers containing lesson plans, worksheets, and activities on climate change designed by educators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ volunteer contributors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational, nonprofit, grassroots and artists.

• EcosiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosia partnership promotes switching search engine usage as a climate action. Ecosia is a not-for-profit B Corp that plants trees (50 searches = 1 tree planted) and is carbon-negative. The partnership encourages Carbon Almanac users to use Ecosia, with potential to absorb 15% of global CO2 emissions if adopted at scale.
• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon serves as a primary retail distribution channel for The Carbon Almanac book and Generation Carbon products. Part of Amazon's sustainability commitment.
• The OptimistfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner supporting The Carbon Almanac project.
• McCann WorldgroupfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner providing marketing and creative expertise.
• AutomatticfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (parent company of WordPress.com), likely providing web platform support.
• LinkedInfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner under LinkedIn's Social Impact environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Getty ImagesfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner providing visual content licensing.
• Porchlight BooksfoundationalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore partner for book distribution.
• Eileen FisherfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable fashion company founder Eileen Fisher is both a foundational partner and quote contributor, endorsing the book.
• KonefoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (sustainability-focused elevator/escalator company).
• Change Inc.foundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner organization.
• Atlas RVM SystemsfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner organization.
• OnderhoudNLfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner from Netherlands.
• AuguryfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (AI-based machine health monitoring company).
• May Lindstrom SkinfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (sustainable skincare brand).
• SeesawfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner providing ready-made lessons using The Carbon Almanac free ebook for classroom use.
• RWSfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (language solutions company).
• The Marketplace of the FuturefoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner organization.
• ebayfoundationalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoundational partner for resale/distribution channel.
• fathom analyticsfoundationalTechnology or IntegrationFoundational partner providing privacy-focused website analytics.
• SorgeniafoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner (Italian energy company).
• New York Public LibrarynonprofitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit and Community Partner providing library access to The Carbon Almanac.
• Clean Tech OpennonprofitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit and Community Partner supporting clean technology entrepreneurship.
• Climate VoicenonprofitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit and Community Partner for climate advocacy.
• The Climate Reality ProjectnonprofitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit and Community Partner founded by Al Gore, focused on climate education and action.
• Polar Bears InternationalnonprofitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit and Community Partner focused on polar bear conservation.
• 350MaringrassrootsStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots partner (climate action organization).
• SeagategrassrootsStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots partner organization.
• ARCADISgrassrootsStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots partner (design and consultancy for built and natural environments).
• Von WongartistsStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist partner creating visual content for The Carbon Almanac.
• Meg Loeks PhotographyartistsStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist partner providing photography for the project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Climate Central: US non-profit that researches and communicates climate science to the public and journalists. Comparable mission and operating model to The Carbon Almanac: synthesizing climate science into accessible, shareable content for non-experts.
• Project Drawdown: Non-profit that reviews and ranks climate solutions and publishes open educational resources. Comparable as a climate-solutions knowledge publisher with educational content, books, and free resources aimed at non-experts.
• Our World in Data: Non-profit climate research and education platform providing accessible, well-sourced data and explainers on climate change. Directly comparable to The Carbon Almanac as a free, authoritative public-interest climate knowledge resource.
• 350.org: Global grassroots climate movement organization focused on climate education and advocacy. Comparable in global reach, volunteer-driven network model, and emphasis on translating climate science into public action.
• Carbon Brief: UK-based climate science and policy journalism site covering climate science, energy policy, and impacts. Comparable as a curated, fact-driven climate information resource aimed at the engaged public.
• David Suzuki Foundation: Canadian environmental non-profit that translates environmental science into public-facing education and policy advocacy. Comparable as a non-profit producing accessible climate and environmental content with high-profile spokesperson leadership.
• Earth.org: Climate and environmental news, analysis, and education platform. Comparable to The Carbon Almanac as a digital-first climate communications outlet serving the same general public and educator audience.
• Citizen's Climate Lobby: Non-partisan climate advocacy organization that trains volunteers across many countries to engage on climate policy. Comparable as a volunteer-network-driven climate education and action organization with global chapters.
• The Climate Reality Project: Climate education and advocacy non-profit founded by Al Gore that trains climate leaders and produces accessible educational content. Comparable in mission, audience, and non-profit model; the Almanac is even listed as a community partner.

Broad incumbents

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Established global research non-profit producing authoritative reports, data, and analysis on climate, forests, water, and sustainable development. Comparable in mission but materially larger and broader, with institutional funding and policy focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/thecarbonalmanac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thecarbonalmanac
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecarbonalmanac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thecarbonalmanac
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecarbonalmanac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Carbon Almanac