As we continue on our green journey, it’s important to arm ourselves with the latest environmental news. There are many great books to help add a green dialogue to your book club, church group, and even your children’s school year to inspire positive change for us and our planet.
For me, my passion to protect the planet is fueled by call-to-action books like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. This book, written in 1962, effectively communicates the negative and lasting effects of pesticides on the environment and is arguably one of the driving forces behind the launch of the environmental movement. While Carson predicted a “silent spring,” today Rowan Jacobsen warns us that we could soon experience periods with no fruit production due to the rapidly declining bee population in his book Fruitless Fall.
Another impactful book is Thomas Friedman’s Hot, Flat, and Crowded which discusses the planet’s rising population and its effects on global warming. A must-read for everyone, Friedman explains that it is us who will be influential in protecting the future of our planet.
An inspirational book perfect for church groups and bible studies is The Green Bible compiled by a diverse group of religious leaders to highlight the Bible’s message for the planet. With a forward from Desmond Tutu, The Green Bible encourages readers to see God’s vision for creation and take an active role in healing and sustaining it.
Moms looking to create a healthy environment for their children have an arsenal of books to help in their quest, including Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener Safer Home by Christopher Gavigan and The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It by Robin O’Brien, founder of AllergyKids (allergykids.com).
One of my personal favorites is Richard Louve’s Last Child in the Woods which highlights the important role that nature plays in the development of our children. A must-have for the shopper in the family is The Better World Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones, a guide that rates consumer products based upon their social and environmental benefits.
For kids, two of my favorites are Hoot and Flush by Carl Hiassen. Through his books he inspires our youth to become environmental stewards in a fun way by creating stories about kids like themselves doing big things to protect our environment.
For more about living eco-friendly, visit www.lauraseydel.com.