Whether you’re doing a summer school term online, working from home or already off on summer break, many of us have some extra time on our hands. Why not spend it curled up reading with a good book? Even better, a book that’s educational, inspiring and shares and promotes environmental stewardship? It’s a triple-win. There are definitely a few must-read books about the environment out there that fit these criteria. Throughout my years of school and obsession with reading (I used to do challenges at my library over summer and would devour 50+ books in four months alone), I have come across a few amazing books that have left a lasting impact on me.
When selecting which books to include on this list, another important factor to me was reading ease. If I am reading an educational book for pleasure, I don’t want it to be filled with jargon, equations, complicated processes or anything that – I already get enough of that from course work! These books are therefore great to pick up at any time of day, no matter how much time you have to read and if you want something you could read through in a few days (or less).
Why is it good to read environmental books? It totally reshapes your perspective. Much of what we hear about the environment is on the news, online or in journal articles. How often do we hear first-person, real stories? Moreover, there is something to be said in the quality of a product that is free versus bought. It’s like an online course you paid to attend or a subscription to a magazine; you are paying for quality information you may not have access to elsewhere. Many of the authors come from unique backgrounds as well, from professors to politicians to scientists. In a book, they have a chance to say exactly what they want, no filters or pressures to say something else from the outside world.
Without further ado, let’s check out my must-read books about the environment.
1. Braiding Sweetgrass by robin wall kimmerer
Not only is this one of my favourite environmentally-focused books, but this is hands-down one of my favourite books of all time. This book was on my wish list for months and I finally had the opportunity to read it during my First Nations and Environment course last semester. Let me tell you, it is life-changing. I don’t say that often (if at all), so the fact that I am now means this book is a gem.
Robin W. Kimmerer is an expert at “Two-Eyed Seeing,” an Indigenous concept of blending traditional views of the environment with Western science to create a balance in the way we approach environmental stewardship. She is an Anishinaabe of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation as well as a plant biologist and professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She grew up with a love and respect for the environment, which translated into her career as she educates her students and the world about the sacred role of plants and nature in our lives.
What I love is that Kimmerer blends both views – traditional and scientific – in just about every chapter. She talks about the role of mycorrhizae for plant health in scientific terms, but then also from a holistic perspective of the plants nourishing one another because they are family. She shares the lessons she learned growing up with Traditional Ecological Knowledge as the basis for her learning, teaching you to appreciate every little thing – from the sun in the sky to the rocks under your feet and the strawberries you picked in your backyard. By sharing her stories in both lenses, Kimmerer is able to connect with her readers and make them think. Every passage was meaningfully written and allowed me to view the world in a deeper, more holistic way.
The main takeaways from the book are that, first, we are all family. Not just you and I, but our friends and classmates, the land we walk on, the water we drink and the park we walk through. Everything is connected. Second, the concept of reciprocity is the essence of life: the earth is a gift, as is our food and water, and even the relationships we build with one another. They all feed our spirit. In return for these gifts, it is our responsibility to express gratitude and be mindful of our consumption, to never take anything for granted.
This book definitely has a spiritual element to it, but regardless if you believe in spirits or god or the afterlife, ANYONE can connect to this book. My class last term was a very diverse group of individuals from all ages, races, religions and educations, yet we all connected through Braiding Sweetgrass. That’s how powerful it is. Kimmerer is also a beautiful writer; every line was so smoothly written and connected like art.
2. This crazy time by tzeporah berman
Braiding Sweetgrass shares the perspective of a scientist/traditional knowledge practitioner. In contrast, This Crazy Time is written by Tzeporah Berman, a world-renowned environmental activist, researcher, campaigner for esteemed NGOs like Greenpeace, and mother (this last point makes her story very relatable, as you will see throughout the book). Berman’s book essentially tells the story of how her career took form, and how she became active in the world of environmental justice. Specifically, this Canadian activist passionately drove campaigns on deforestation, environmental degradation, Indigenous rights and climate change. From working on the frontlines of protests (chaining herself to a tree in British Columbia) to developing a global campaign against the Victoria’s Secret catalogue to balancing it all with parenting while inspiring the next generation of climate activists, Berman brings so many unique perspectives and stories to her book.
What I found really interesting and relatable is how she describes her journey. Berman didn’t know where she would end up when she was in high school – some of the organizations she worked for didn’t even exist at that point! Especially in the environmental realm, it’s hard to say “what” you want to do for a career because the field is ever-evolving. Berman’s story shows that if you just go with the flow, follow your passions and seize opportunities when they come, you can be successful. So not only is this a motivating environmental book, but it’s also a comforting self-help guide.
It’s also interesting to hear the perspective of someone working on the front lines of activism. Unless you or someone close to you is actively engaged in such things, our understanding of them is shaped strictly by the media and often portrayed in a negative light. Berman began as a researcher then founder herself a part of the Clayoquot protests against clear-cutting, slowly working herself up from localized campaigns and blockages to national and international ones. It is clear that Berman is passionate about the environment, not only from the stories she tells but the way she tells them. She is also very witty, making her stories both admirable and humorous to read.
Overall, This Crazy Time is a mix of educational (I didn’t know about all the campaigns she worked on), inspirational (one personal really CAN make a difference) and actionable (showing YOU how you can make a difference, just like her). If you are curious to learn about the various campaigns she has worked on, the inside view of NGOs and activist work or how to follow your passions, you need to check out this book.
3. eating animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
I read this book in one of my very first university courses (circa 2017) when I was still new to the world of plant-based living, animal rights and the global food industry. This book is by no means trying to convert you to veganism or vegetarianism, rather educate you about the impacts our food choices have on the planet as well as the lives of animals and people. In fact, Foer used writing this book to help him decide whether his newborn child should or should not be raised eating meat from an industrialized world. If you’re not familiar with the problems in our industrialized food system (specifically within the meat industry) I strongly suggest you read this post. I talk a lot about it on the blog, but to summarize the main issues with the meat industry include animal abuse, a huge ecological footprint, unethical employment practices and poor-quality products (lots of fillers, cheap animal feed, etc.). This is not to say that every animal farm demonstrates these behaviours, which Foer makes clear, and are most common in factory farms. Foer therefore focuses on the industrialized system, uncovering all of the challenges and injustices found there.
One of my favourite things about this book is that – just like the other two – it is written like a story. Foer isn’t just throwing facts at the reader. He is telling the story of his journey as a new parent trying to do what is best for his child, a task that seems so complex in today’s industrialized world. How can you know what is good or bad for your child (or yourself) when it is so easy to lie or hide behind labels? Foer also realizes the value in storytelling to communicate a point and how stories are embedded in our food culture. Does your family have a traditional recipe that is passed through generations, or do you gather together for meals during the holidays? There are stories there. Humans learn and process information best through stories because it allows us to relate to what we are being asked to understand.
Foer also dives into the psychology of eating meat, which I found really interesting. We know of the dangers and injustices of the meat industry, yet we continue to support it every day. Why? We dissociate from our food: you see the chicken breast on your plate, which was served, bought and packaged in that form. It dissociates you from the living being the chicken once was. Most of the time we don’t even know where our meat is coming from because our food systems are so disconnected. When we can connect to our food, know where the meat came from and be grateful for the life that was taken to allow us to thrive, we can heal our relationship to our food and food system. In short, Eating Animals is not about not eating meat; it’s about rebuilding our ethical and moral relationships with the meat that we do eat, and to food in general.
honourable mentions
- Costly Fix by Ian Thomas Urquhart. Another course reading in one of my favourite courses to date (Environmental Policy, Politics and Governance with Dr. Jennifer Clapp). This insightful book brings a local perspective on a long-standing Canadian issue: the oil sands. Urquhart explores how the oil industry came to be the giant that it is today, as well as who (and what) had to be exploited in the process. For someone that wasn’t very knowledgeable of Canada’s oil history, this book was very informative and gave me a clear picture of everything it encompasses. That said, it is definitely a heavier read (lots of facts/numbers) and sometimes I found myself having to re-read passages to make sure I understood. There are also many moments where I sensed the author’s bias: while Eating Animals is very subjective and allows the reader to make their own judgement on consuming animal products, Urquhart is definitely taking a more persuasive, subjective approach – he is telling you what you should believe. Nonetheless it is still a great read, just keep the bias in mind as you read it.
- The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Another amazing book that explores the relationships between us and nature. If you are unfamiliar with the amazing communication networks between trees, you must read this. This book has become very popular over the last few years for the unique perspective of trees that it provides.
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Likely one of the most infamous environmental books ever because it basically started a new wave of environmentalism in the 1960s. I’ll be honest here (and I feel really guilty about this), I haven’t actually read the book entirely yet. I have read several passages for coursework but for some reason I have yet to read it all – it is the next book I am going to buy!
final thoughts
While you may or may not be an avid reader, I encourage you to give just one of these books a try. I believe it is important to constantly learn, whether that be in a classroom setting or on your own time by digesting a good book. It’s also important to learn about new topics that don’t typically catch your eye (for myself, the oilsands). Who knows, you may suddenly become passionate about the new topic. Even if you don’t, you will finish reading with more knowledge than you had when you started.
Have you read any of the books I listed? If so, what are your thoughts on them? Do you have any of your own must-read books about the environment that I haven’t discussed? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you all have a great day, and happy reading! Until next time.