Our Top Picks of 2020: The Hottest Books on Climate Change and The Environment
Climate Change 101: A Roundup of the Top Environmental Books to Keep You Informed and Inspired This Year
If you suddenly have tons of time (and way too much sourdough starter) on your hands, we’ve got you covered.
This year, most of us will likely observe Earth Day in self-isolation. But if you’ve been craving connection with other green readers, these climate change and environmental books make great choices for online book clubs from the safety of your own home.
Read on to discover our top picks to keep you informed about — and interested in — the state of the planet.
1. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg (68 pgs) (published 30 May 2019)
Fifteen-year-old Thunberg made a fateful decision to skip school one day and kickstarted a global movement in the process. This collection of speeches is the smallest entry on our list but packs a punch.
Why Read It
A top pick for your inner activist. Great for days when you want to feel inspired by the fiery determination of the next generation’s climate champion.
Inspiration Factor
*****
2. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert (336 pgs) (published 11 February 2014)
Most of us are familiar with the idea that a humongous asteroid wiped the dinosaurs off the face of the earth. Kolbert’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel suggests that collectively we are, in fact, this era’s humongous asteroid.
Why Read It
While the research suggests that our actions are causing the radical disappearance of a large number of earth’s species, the enticing stories and remote settings make for a fascinating and upbeat read.
Inspiration Factor
*****
3. There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee (302 pgs) (published 28 February 2019)
The Coles Notes of climate change. Full of handy facts and figures, Berners-Lee makes all of the information we need to know — the problems and solutions — accessible, and even enjoyable, without overloading the brain.
Why Read It
If you’re curious about the big questions but are overwhelmed by all of the different discussions, this book is for you.
Inspiration Factor
****
4. Losing Earth: A Recent History by Nathaniel Rich (224 pgs) (published 9 April 2019)
What if it was possible to stop climate change in its tracks decades ago? This is the story of that snipped timeline: the research, the people who sounded the alarm, and the people who did their best to downplay the warnings.
Why Read It
Rich’s story is full of intrigue and the head-shaking details that make for an eye-opening examination of where we are now vs. where we could’ve been. A deep dive into climate change denialism and political maneuvering.
Inspiration Factor
*****
5. The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf (473 pgs) (published 15 September 2015)
I’d never heard of Alexander von Humboldt, but Wulf’s biography brings the adventures of this almost-forgotten 19th-century naturalist to life. The German explorer’s profound ideas about the natural world have heavily influenced modern environmentalism.
Why Read It
This one’s a great pick for curious minds, offering a mix of history and adventure with a few famous faces thrown in. Humboldt also predicted humanity’s eventual effects on the climate.
Inspiration Factor
****
6. Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? by Bill McKibben (291 pgs) (published 16 April 2019)
What can we do to ensure our survival as a species? McKibben offers an impassioned account of the stats with a good dose of hope and wisdom.
Why Read It
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t hold back, this one won’t disappoint. Designed to be read as a direct call to action.
Inspiration Factor
*****
7. Greenwood by Michael Christie (512 pgs) (published 24 September 2019)
Imagine a future world where forests are a rarity and one of the last forests is a beacon for those who can afford to visit. In this Canadian work of fiction, Christie charts the rise and fall of multiple generations in one family along with the trees which, likewise, thrive and diminish.
Why Read It
By placing the backdrop of the trees against the winding pathways of human lives, this lush tale invites us to see ourselves reflected in the natural world, and consider how our evolution or deterioration are linked. Longlisted for the 2019 Giller Prize.
Inspiration Factor
****
So, What Can We Do?
- Fashion Fixes — consider your buying habits, want vs. need. Get creative with thrift store finds online.
- Green Lobby — join or support community organizations pushing the government towards implementing greener policies.
- Plastic Replacement — ditch the plastic straws for stainless steel or paper ones.
- Book Swaps — love that book? Save it to pass it on at a later date.
If you loved one of the books on our list, let us know here! Have another favourite? Why not become a host and share your thoughts with other Brookies via a virtual book club event.
Keisha Paterson is a lifetime writer of sticky-note poetry who enjoys comfort foods, self-care holidays, and Hawaiian dance. A prolific wanderer, she loves to discover and take home old orphaned books and eclectic records. She is an office manager, private yoga instructor, and freelance editor in Toronto.
Favourite Book: Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou
Favourite brunch spot: Sisters and Co.
