Read for the planet: 10 books to inspire you this World Book Day
This World Book Day, why not treat yourself to some inspiring reads that can help you make a positive change in our world? Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for sustainable solutions or simply a climate-conscious individual wanting to do your part, these books promise an exciting journey of exploration and understanding. From solving pressing issues like plastic pollution to providing insights about the world around us, these 10 titles will reignite your passion for ecology and inspire mindful action.
And, while we're at it, let's make sure to get our books from sustainable sources, here are our recommendations: Ebay - shop secondhand, World of books - shop secondhand, Hive - Supporting independent bookshops.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
What is world book day and why do we celebrate it?
World Book Day is an international celebration that bridges cultures and countries, with celebrations in over 100 nations on the globe. While usually celebrated in April around the world, here in the UK it was moved to the first Thursday of March so as not to coincide with Easter. Founded by World Book Day - a charity focused on promoting literacy for schoolchildren through providing book vouchers - this special day serves as an annual reminder of how literature can bring us together no matter where we are from! Originally established by UNESCO back in 1995, its first official observance took place two years later within Great Britain & Ireland.
Check out our 10 suggestions of climate-conscious books to read to inspire positive change;
Climate change & action
The Future is Degrowth: A Guide to a World Beyond Capitalism
The Future Is Degrowth - A Guide to a World beyond Capitalism offers a sober presentation of the futility of the ideology and pursuit of infinite growth on a finite planet. Current multiple crises, including the unfolding catastrophic global heating, ought to force humans to pull the brakes on current fatal pathways.
How to f**king save the planet: The brighter side of the fight against climate change
Packed full of easy-to-digest climate truths and IFLScience's trademark witty humour, How to F**king Save the Planet is your essential handbook to global warming and climate change. Learn how to successfully argue with climate-deniers, why micro-plastic pollution means that polar bears can no longer get boners and why the Paris Climate Agreement is really important.
Tomorrow is too late
With contributors aged between eight and twenty-five, this is an inspiring collection of essays from the most vital generation of voices in the global struggle for climate justice, and offers a manifesto for how you can engage, educate, and inspire change for a more hopeful future.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS RACIST
The climate crisis reflects and reinforces racial injustices. In this eye-opening book, writer and environmental activist Jeremy Williams takes us on a short, urgent journey across the globe - from Kenya to India, the USA to Australia - to understand how White privilege and climate change overlap. We'll look at the environmental facts, hear the experiences of the people most affected on our planet and learn from the activists leading the change
Practical guides:
The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide: Everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference
Easy, do-able, down to earth ideas and suggestions for everyone to help save the planet. If you want to save the planet, but your to-do list is already pretty long and remembering your re-usable coffee cup feels like a Herculean task, then this is the book for you.
F**k Plastic: 101 ways to free yourself from plastic and save the world
Is the thought of the 51 trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans keeping you up at night? Don't panic! The war on plastic has begun and you can help! In this book you'll find 101 little things you as an individual can do to avoid single-use plastics and help save the world.
How to Repair Everything: A Green Guide to Fixing Stuff
A delightful do-it-yourself guide that helps you to embrace sustainable living, How to Repair Everything is an ultimate treasure trove of tips and tricks of the trade. With advice on fixing anything from an umbrella to a microwave, Harper shows how easy it is to mend things yourself and help to save the planet in doing so.
Conscious Cooking:
ONE POT, PAN, PLANET
The 'queen of the greens' shows how we can all cook quickly, sustainably, and stylishly with this new collection of over 150 recipes alongside dozens of ideas for super-quick one-pan and one-tray suppers. These inventive and varied recipes will become kitchen go-to's. Good for us, our pocket, and the planet.
Too Good To Waste: How to Eat Everything -
In a world where we have more food choices at our fingertips than ever before, the amount we throw away is at an all-time high. Are we really being as clever in the kitchen as we could be? this book has over 100 inspiring ideas to revolutionize your kitchen.
Grow, Cook, Dye, Wear: From Seed to Style the Sustainable Way
Embracing a holistic garden-to-garment approach, Grow, Cook, Dye, Wear brims with information, inspiration, and handy tips for a more sustainable lifestyle. Swap food waste and fast fashion for homegrown produce, delicious vegan dishes, and a contemporary capsule wardrobe with the help of Bella's friendly, accessible approach to sustainable living.
While these ten books are only a snapshot of the many ways to get involved in saving our planet, they provide an excellent starting point for sustainable living inspiration. Check out last years blog for some climate-conscious children's books to inspire the next generation! If you read any of these books this World Book Day, tag us on Instagram! And if you have any other suggestions for sustainability reads, we’d love to hear them too.