As summer arrives, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into some enlightening books while lounging by the pool or relaxing at the beach. Here are six climate-focused books recommended by our Climate Pact Ambassadors to enrich your understanding and inspire action.
These books cater to everyone, from seasoned environmentalists to those new to the climate discourse. They explore various topics, from rethinking our diets to maintaining hope amidst the climate crisis. Add these six books to your summer reading list to deepen your climate knowledge and find inspiration.
- Plate to Planet by Louis De Jaeger Belgian Pact Ambassador Louis De Jaeger explores the intersections of diet, agriculture, and climate change in Plate to Planet. Originally titled We eten ons dood and available in Dutch, this book is accessible even to younger readers. It covers vital topics like the soil-gut connection and the role of trees in cooling agriculture. De Jaeger critiques harmful farming practices like ploughing, which releases soil carbon into the atmosphere. He believes that understanding the link between food, health, and sustainability can empower individuals to make choices that benefit both themselves and the planet. “I’ve written a guide on what and why we need to act; now it’s your turn to implement change,” says Louis.
- Approaching the Debate on: Climate Change, Ecological Crisis, and Sustainability Pact Ambassadors Miguel Luis Lapeña Cregenzán and Rosmel Rodríguez Barroso offer a comprehensive view on critical environmental issues in their book, available in both Spanish and English. It aims to inform and encourage readers to engage in discussions and actions that address the ecological crisis. “This book serves as a gateway to understanding the complexities of climate change and sustainability,” explains Rosmel. It aims to equip readers with the knowledge to become active participants in mitigating environmental challenges.
- Exit Strategy Climate Currency: Reaching Our Climate Target with Personal Emissions Budgets by Angela and Jens Hanson In this thought-provoking book, German Pact Ambassador Angela Hanson and her husband Jens propose a unique economic approach to tackling climate change. Exit Strategy Climate Currency introduces the idea of personal emissions budgets as a way to manage individual carbon footprints. “Everyone contributes to atmospheric CO2; why not allocate the allowable emissions among citizens?” Angela suggests. The book envisions a sustainable economy where climate-conscious actions are standard, aiming to spark a societal shift towards systemic change in climate policy.
- Het doet ertoe by Jan Mertens For those grappling with eco-anxiety, Jan Mertens’ Het doet ertoe (available in Dutch) offers guidance on managing emotions related to climate change. Drawing from 40 years of activism, Mertens discusses coping with feelings of despair and staying motivated. The book’s English translation, It Matters: Grief, Hope, and Resistance, emphasizes that it’s never too late to make a difference. “We often don’t talk about the intense emotions surrounding climate issues,” Mertens notes. This book aims to foster conversations and resilience among climate activists.
- Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe, edited by Jos Delbeke This book, available in English, reviews the progress of EU climate policy over the past 25 years, particularly under the European Green Deal. Edited by Jos Delbeke, a former Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Climate Action.
- Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin Deakin’s final book, finished just four months before he died, is autobiography, history, travel and natural history combined. It will take you into the heart of the woods, where we go ‘to grow, learn and change’ and is a poignant reminder of the beauty and wonder in our natural world.
Sources and references:
https://greenhouse.agency/blog/5-best-environmental-summer-reads/
https://magazine.avocadogreenmattress.com/books-on-climate-change-summer-reading/
