This open access book is an important resource for understanding the intricate interplay of climate change, security, and justice in the Sahel. Based on his extensive knowledge of the region and nearly four decades of fieldwork, Benjaminsen offers a rich, historically grounded analysis, skilfully bridging the largely disconnected debates on climate security and climate justice. Throughout, he advocates aligning policy with science. For instance, he critiques the desertification discourse, rooted in colonial times, which contrasts with scientific evidence showing a greening and recovering savannah characterized by more rainfall, albeit less predictable. Similarly, he questions apolitical narratives surrounding climate security. Through several case studies from Mali, Benjaminsen convincingly demonstrates the importance of understanding local conflicts and policies within a framework that respects the historical and socio-political context. His work both sheds light on misguided afforestation projects and the jihadist’ rebellions fuelled by economic marginalization combined with the government’s disinterest in recognition of pastoralist lifestyles. However, Benjaminsen’s critique of allegedly simplistic quantitative research and climate-security discourse in policy and practice seems unnecessarily harsh. Quantitative studies have evolved to a more conditional understanding of where environment affects conflict, and recent predictive modelling gives insights into the relative importance of different factors in forecasting new violence. Rather than dismissing these approaches, his rich, case-based research could serve as inspiration for complementary comparative studies. The book will be of particular interest to researchers of drivers of conflicts in the Sahel, but also to those interested in climate security and efforts to mitigate climate change more generally. The book makes a compelling argument to critically engage with context – in research and in policy.