At SDTN, we value education, and we know that when people who care about the planet, as we do, begin to view themselves as ecologists, massive change can come about through simple grassroots efforts. With this in mind, we've come up with a list of great books that will help you to understand more about the problems facing our planet, and which will give you some useful tools for making little changes that make a difference. You don't have to spend your life in class to learn more; in fact, many of these books are short, pleasant reads you'll be able to finish in a few days if you like. In no particular order, here are some quick reviews on some of the best ecology books ever published.
Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash
Written by Edward Humes and released in April of 2012, this journey into the secret world of trash is a compelling read that takes you from the average household garbage can, to landfills, to cemeteries, and to destinations all over the planet where people are impacted by massive mounds of garbage. What's in garbage? How much do we pay for trash? How do we manage to create such an abundance of the stuff, and how are people finding new ways to manage waste? From LA's Garbage Mountain, to ocean gyres, and all the way to China, this book will take you to surprising places and leave you spellbound.
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
This classic by Michael Pollan will leave you rethinking the way you eat. Where does your food come from? What is really in those pre-packed foods with indefinite shelf lives? Is there a better way to eat? If you eat food, then this book was written with you in mind. It's entertaining, enlightening, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Well done, Mr. Pollan!
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
Remember when you were young? Odds are good that you had the opportunity to commune freely with nature, at least once in a while. In this gripping book by child advocacy expert Richard Louv, we learn of the nature deficit which is leading to alarming childhood trends, including attention deficit disorders, depression, obesity, and more. What's missing, Louv argues, is a connection with nature; he backs his argument with a growing body of new research indicating that interaction with nature is essential for healthy human development, and for the emotional health of all humans. Besides raising the alarm, Last Child in the Woods offers simple and practical solutions for healing the bond, and for making our world a better place.
Silent Spring
This classic book was first published in September of 1962, after author Rachel Carson published a series of three excerpts in the New Yorker in June of that same year. Newly re-released in 2012, this eloquent look at life in a rapidly deteriorating world spawned revolutionary changes that lead to new laws affecting water, air, and land use. Instrumental in motivating the environmental movement which continues to this day, Silent Spring is a book everyone should read at least once.
The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World
Written by leading energy expert and master storyteller Daniel Yergin, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his previous work, The Prize, this masterpiece illustrates the way energy acts as an engine for global economic and political conflict and change, spanning the energies on which modern civilization has been built, and providing insight into new energies which are now competing to replace old, outdated and unsustainable models. In The Quest, you'll learn more about natural gas, coal, and renewable energies; and, you'll gain insight into energy independence, new technology, and more. A thoroughly epic read, it is also one that will make you think about where the energy you use each day comes from.
These are just a few of many excellent books everyday people can learn from and enjoy. If you're concerned about the future of the planet and all the life on it, including humanity, take some time to read a good book - then pass it on!