Climate Reading
There is a staggering wealth of books to read on climate. Here are various texts recommended by our members!
How to save our planet
This is written in the style of The Art of War by Sun Tzu; in distinct, short paragraphs, almost all are referenced to peer-reviewed literature so it's incredibly easy to read, easy to find where to read more and easy to jump around. Its accessibility and usefulness is one good part but it's positive solutions focus is also empowering. If you are concerned about our progress and not knowing what needs to be done about climate and biodiversity this is a great place to start.
After Geoengineering
This is an intriguing look at parts of society working on the different natural solutions to climate and geoengineering options. Holly Buck writes a collection of short stories that try to illustrate how implementing different technologies to address a warming planet, try to put the breaks on and eventually reverse it. The author researched climate solutions and how society will interact with using them. If you want to learn more about geoengineering and natural solutions this is a very well researched way to see them from a human perspective, and not just in graphs, statistics and diagrams.
Don't Even Think About It
George Marshall started Climate Outreach, the internationally renowned climate communication charity. They research and train people to communicate on climate and he has ploughed that insight into this great read. There are so many obstacles to helping people understand the severity of the climate and biodiversity and they are a huge reason why we still suffer with a socially constructed silence in many parts of society.
You can learn to be a better communicator and to understand why many still fail to act on climate, even though it is as much in their interest as it is in yours.
Entangled Life
Merlin Sheldrake does an incredible job of showing just how connected humans, and all organisms are on this planet.
You'll see how dependent we are on fungi and how we may never have evolved onto land without their help. He shows the reader the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and you may even question what an organism actually is. They help trees communicate and allow us to grow food on used nappies in weeks. Are we manipulating fungi or are they manipulating us? You may finish with more questions than answers but it's in intriguing journey that gets you there
Prosperity Without Growth: Foundations for the Economy of Tomorrow
Tim Jackson questions the most highly prized goal of politicians and economists: the pursuit of exponential economic growth. Building a ‘post-growth’ economy is a precise, definable and meaningful task. The economy may be transformed in ways that protect employment, facilitate social investment, reduce inequality and deliver both ecological and financial stability.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of the Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer inspires readers to appreciate reciprocal relationships with our living world. The book spans personal stories and anecdotes to biology and experiences of Native Americans in face of oppressive forces. Kimmerer demonstrates why and how Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge offers much for academia and conventional understanding of 'science'.
Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist
Kate Raworth identifies the seven critical ways in which mainstream economics has led us astray and offers instead an alternative roadmap for bringing humanity into a sweet spot that meets the needs of all within the means of the planet.
Less is More: How Degrowth will Save the World
By shining a light on ecological breakdown and the system that's causing it, Hickel shows how we can bring our economy back into balance with the living world and build a thriving society for all. This is our chance to change course, but we must act now.
Post Growth - Life After Capitalism
Capitalism is broken. The relentless pursuit of more has delivered climate catastrophe, social inequality and financial instability. Weaving together philosophical reflection, economic insight and social vision, Jackson dares us to imagine a world beyond capitalism—a place where relationship and meaning take precedence over profits and power - https://timjackson.org.uk/ecological-economics/postgrowth-book/
