Books to Save the Planet (for the next generation)
A Young Environmentalist’s Book of Conservation Tips is a lovely book for young readers, presenting the facts on carbon footprints and climate change clearly, with easy solutions to help.
Each letter from A to Z contains a lesson, on how to help improve our planet, for ideas way beyond recycling. Beautiful artwork assists the reader, to imagine a better future.
Decrease your carbon footprint with these 26 tips to become a better environmentalists and improve your lifestyle.
The book begins with Sarah Lazarovic’s illustrated ‘Buyarchy of Needs‘:
- Use What You Have
- Borrow
- Swap
- Thrift
- Make
- Buy
Use no-dig gardening to protect wildlife (and avoid netting). Learn more on pet-friendly gardens and wildlife-friendly gardening. Avoid facing indoor foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Robert Donisch is an outdoor educator and teacher, who decided to use his knowledge and experience, to write an inspiring book for young readers, on how to help the planet.
A Big-Hearted Book to Tackle Climate Change
Climate is Just the Start is a guide to tackling the planetary crisis by Mikaela Loach, a big-hearted and optimistic book to inspire young people to change the world.
Using personal stories, she explains the climate crisis, and writes about friends around the world who are being affected, and how they are fighting back.
Her stories (including confronting fossil fuel executives and even taking the UK government to court, for handing taxpayer money to oil and gas companies) are sure to inspire.
Mikaela also wrote It’s Not That Radical, an anti-dote to the whitewashed and greenwashed mainstream media’s response to climate change, which always focuses on capitalism due to bias and money from TV ads.
Capitalism requires there to be someone at the bottom to exploit from. It require inequality. How is that we already have so many solutions to the climate crisis that don’t compromise human rights or justice? But the only solutions being seriously considered are the ones that do?
Mikaela Loach is a climate justice activist, writer and medical student, who holds a degree in global health policy. She conducts workshops at international climate justice camps and local schools (one of which has even named a classroom after her!)
She is co-director of AWETHU School of Organising and has boldly challenged powerful entities, including taking the UK government to court in the ‘Paid to Pollute’ case in 2021.
A Climate Justice Activist’s Manifesto (from Uganda)
A Bigger Picture is a book by a young climate activist, from a girl who first-hand has witnessed devastating floods, deforestation, extinction and starvation in her home country. She also saw how ‘the world’s biggest polluters are asleep at the wheel’, ignoring the Global South, where the effects of climate injustice are most fiercely felt.
This rousing manifesto for change invites you to join her, a commanding political voice that demands attention, for the biggest issue of our time.
Having dominion over the Earth is about responsibility and service to the planet and its people, because God is not a God of waste and exploitation. Vanessa Nakate
It’s a harsh reality that the most vulnerable (particularly those in poorer countries) are likely to bear the brunt of climate change, even if they contribute the least to it.
We see ourselves as something separate from Nature. We see our financial system as something outside of Nature. We see our energy system as something outside of Nature.
Nothing is outside of Nature. We would be wise to remember this. Vanessa Nakate
Vanessa Nakate is a climate justice activist from Uganda, whose Tard Foundation which installs solar panels and clean cooking stoves in Ugandan schools.
A devout Christian, she is planning after completing her studies to influence climate policy at community, national and international level.
Stories from Young People on the Climate Crisis
The Children of the Anthropocene is a beautifully written book, with stories from young people at the heart of the climate crisis. Restoring the beating heart to global environmental issues, Bella covers air pollution to deforestation to over-consumption. By telling stories of those most affected.
The book transports us from the Ecuador’s Choco Rainforest and the Himalayan mountains, to the windswept plains of life in Altiplano. And speaking to fellow environmental activists from around the world. This manifesto for change will inspire, to rediscover the wonders of nature, and change our thinking about a planet in crisis.
It’s time we passed the mic and listened to different perspectives. Bella’s manifestos for change will inspire and mobilize you to rediscover the wonders and wilds of nature and, ultimately,
Bella is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. Bella and her fellow young voices are the best choices our planet has.
I’ve seen Bella bring a theatre full of academics and conservationists to tears, and then to their feet. Bella believes she can change the world, and I believe her. This is a remarkable and important book. Steve Backshall
An urgent, thought-provoking, and beautifully written book from a brilliant young conservationist. Extraordinarily moving, wild and engaging. Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland.
Bella Lack is kind of like England’s answer to Greta Thunberg, who began campaigning on conservation at 12 years old, and is on the board of a conservation charity with free classroom resources. She has worked with Born Free, Save the Asian Elephants and the Jane Goodall Institute to help protect wildlife and helped to create the People’s Manifesto for Wildlife.
Habit, greed, vested interests…But I still don’t understand how people would put that above protecting the environment, above protecting future generations.
Like, on a superficial level, I get it. But it’s short-termism. People looking at how they might profit in the next month… What’s the point in profit on a dead planet?
What Marginalised People Can Teach on Environmental Action
Natural Connection celebrates the history and extraordinary acts of ordinary people, who have paved the way for today’s environmental change. Such as the Chipko women of India (the original ‘tree huggers’, who pioneered action to combat deforestation). And Nigeria’s Ogoni 9, who fought the the threat of fossil fuel extraction in the Delta region.
Bringing together inspiring stories from marginalised people from the US to the UK, Brazil to Iran and Ghana to Ethiopia, this book roots us in our connection with nature, and celebrates the power of community.
As the world seemingly falls apart, we have to begin the process of re-imagining and rebuilding. It is all that we can do. Be part of the rebuilding effort. Join the climate and environmental movement! Joycelyn Longdon
Rob’s Book to Be the Change (in a messed-up world)
Be the Change is a guide for young readers, from activist Rob Greenfield. He’s walked around New York City (dressed in his own garbage), cycled (three times) across the USA on a bamboo bike, and survived for one year on foraged food.
The book features fun ideas to reduce environmental impact, with extensive teachings on reducing ‘stuff’, because ‘there is no away’ to throw it to! Plus readers will meet inspiring young environmentalists, including ‘minimalist teens’. For readers age 8 to 12.
You can also download a free teacher’s companion guide to the book.
I loved every page of this amazing book. Rob offers fun escapades that are also real-world ways to help a world that needs attention right now. Turns out, saving our planet is fun. I put this book down feeling fired up and full of hope. And you will too. Caroline Paul
Rob Greenfield (find a free teacher’s companion guide to the book) used to work in marketing, before deciding to simplify his life. Named the ‘Robin Hood of modern times’, he gives his media income to grassroots non-profits, so he does pay tax to pollute or buy weapons.
He gave up his affluent lifestyle, and cycled across the USA on a bamboo bike, drinking water from fire hoses and eating food from dumpsters. He gives away most of his income, so he pays no tax (to avoid funding weapons).
How he changed his life is quite inspiring, and maybe inspires others to do the same. He basically decided he was nowhere near living the life he wanted.
So he made a huge list of over 100 changes he wanted to make, then hung it in the kitchen, and made one positive change each week, so he changed his life completely in 2 years.
From eating more fruits and vegetables, cooking his own food, finding zero-waste alternatives to drinking filtered water. He shopped local, bought second-hand and shared with his community.
Upbeat Youth-Led Environmental Organisations
If you feel aghast each time you watch the news or mass media, there is hope. Let’s turn off and move on. Here are some fantastic organisations doing good for the world.
And they are all led by people who are likely half your age! More power to you – we’re following right behind, and have your backs!
- The Iris Prize is an annual award for young people who are accelerating action to protect and restore nature anywhere in the world. There are three prizes, awarded to established, existing and not yet existing projects.
- Earth Minutes is a new generation of creatives who are using writing and social media to get the word out, on environmental issues. If you think about how archaic and out-of-date conventional media is on such important subjects, this is much more hopeful!
- Re-Earth Initiative also offers grants for environmental youth-led projects.
An Inspiring Young Voice for Animals
Animal Save Movement inspires compassionate connection through peaceful action via local chapters worldwide. Its campaigns for the welfare of street animals, no animal gifting, and ending factory farms and live exports. The movement is inspired by the work of Cesar Chavez (whose ‘grape strike’ resulted in better laws for farmers).
I think my generation is just so amazing, with how we have been using our voices. Animals deserve to live in peace, just like we do. Strength in numbers, people! Let’s all work together to build a kinder future. Genesis Butler (animal welfare campaigner and niece of Cesar Chavez)
