The Top 5 Sustainable Books I've read in 2022
...But feel free to challenge me.
Searching for a change in your normal reading pattern? Look no further because these sustainable books cover everything from climate change to recycling and energy efficiency. Get ready to read some fascinating nonfiction and feel challenged! You'll find a quick Amazon link to each of these books, but for your convenience, we've also added the complete link at the bottom of the article.
1. The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman
As an award-winning journalist with articles written in the New York Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and more, Alan Weisman’s The World Without Us is quite an eye-opening account of what would happen to the Earth if humans disappeared. Ever asked yourself if the planet could self-heal itself, or what would happen to the massive cities and communities we have built around it? Weisman covers all that and more, speaking to numerous ecologists, and oil production experts, painting a compelling picture of the future of Earth, just without us. Loved and recommended.
2. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, by Naomi Klein
If you wanted a challenging book that doesn’t shy away from pinpointing how current governments are complicit in ecocide, then this book is for you. Klein This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate argues that individuals are not the sole reason for the destruction of our climate. Instead, the light is shone on a comprehensive analysis of how changing the economic system could indeed help with global warming. Klein also highlights how only civil disobedience and a cultural revolution could lead to sustainability and positive sustainable changes.
3. Farming while Black, by Leah Penniman
I initially picked up this book because I had not really thought about farming in terms of colour -probably because I’ve never had to. As a result, I was curious, and Farming While Black lead me on a journey of the history of African American farmers -including its decline. Penniman eloquently puts together an “action” plan on how Black farmers can reclaim parts of their lands while highlighting the contributions of the BIPOC community that introduced sustainable agriculture.
4. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, by Elizabeth Kolbert
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History is not exactly the type of sustainable book that you pick up before going to bed. At least, that’s not my experience. That’s because Kolbert goes through the 5 mass extinctions in our planet’s history, leading to what she now described as the sixth extinction -referring to insects, plants, animals, and more who have fallen prey to mass ecocide. It’s a hard-to-swallow pill that perhaps we also need, to better understand the consequences of our actions, or at least the impact that it has on those without a voice.
5. Slow Fashion: Aesthetics Meets Ethics, by Sofia Minney
Interesting and easy to digest, Slow Fashion: Aesthetics Meets Ethics is a compilation of interviews with both entrepreneurs and slow fashion pioneers from across the world. In fact, there are plenty of written and visual suggestions as alternatives to big-name brands that we have become accustomed to. The beautiful part about Minney’s book is allowing people a platform to discuss sustainability and sustainable fashion, explaining the motivation behind their business.
I added this book as the last option because I wanted to leave you on a more positive note. If you're the type of book lover that fills your Amazon wish list with future books, I'm making it easier for you.
Here is the Amazon list:
1. The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman
2. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, by Naomi Klein
3. Farming while Black, by Leah Penniman
4. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, by Elizabeth Kolbert
5. Slow Fashion: Aesthetics Meets Ethics, by Safia Minney
Alternatively, if you don’t want to support another huge company with questionable morals, consider purchasing from Waterstones instead:
1. The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman
2. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, by Naomi Klein
3. Farming while Black, by Leah Penniman
4. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, by Elizabeth Kolbert
5. Slow Fashion: Aesthetics Meets Ethics, by Safia Minney -for this last one, I found a cheeky PDF version online, and you can download it at the link. Waterstones did not have this book available.
Thank you and enjoy,
