Top 7 Best Environmental Books to Read By the End of the Year

Greta Thunberg made the world stop and think about climate change after her speech at the UN Climate Summit the other day. While some seemed to think it was all just an act, others understood that it’s about time something was done for the planet. 

Her powerful speech made us think about all of the great environmental books all people should be reading to further understand the real issue of climate change. 

If you too are passionate about environmental activism, climate change, and also a bookworm, check out our top 7 of the best environmental books. 

Let’s dig in.

1. Make a Home for Wildlife: Creating Habitat on Your Land by Charles Fergus

If you want to change something, you need to start with yourself. This is the foundation of the book written by Charles Fergus. This great environmental book doesn’t just explain how climate change and habitat destruction work, it also shows you how you can create a new habitat in your own garden. 

Charles focuses on the United States habitats, animals, and flora. His book highlights over 150 species of trees and plants that can be introduced in your own territory to help recreate the natural habitat of certain animal species.

2. Hot, Hungry Planet: The Fight to Stop a Global Food Crisis in the Face of Climate Change by Lisa Palmer

You’ve probably heard about the gender gap, and maybe even experienced it. But have you heard about the food gap? 

In 2050, there will be a little over 9.6 billion people on the planet. Considering the fact that right now there aren’t enough resources for everybody, how will we feed ourselves in the next 30 years? 

In this amazing book journalist Lisa Palmer talks more about the food gap and how we can overcome it with social, educational, and agricultural advances. 

3. Fevered: Why a Hotter Planet Will Hurt Our Health – and How We Can Save Ourselves by Linda Marsa

It’s a well-known fact that climate change will affect our health, but to what extent? In her book, Linda Marsa talks about the impact of extreme temperatures on our health, both mental and physical. 

This book is the perfect combination of cutting-edge science and compelling narrative. Give it a try if you want to see how to prevent certain health problems caused by climate change. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

4. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

If you’re interested in history and science, the Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History must be on your To read list. Until now, there have been five mass extinctions, with one of them being the dinosaurs. This book studies the idea of a sixth extinction, caused by pollution and climate change.

Elizabeth Kolbert includes the work of marine biologists, geologists, and botanists to showcase the stories of tens of species that are on the verge of extinction. 

5. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate by Naomi Klein

Climate change and Politics, two subjects that are often mentioned in the same sentence. In this book, Naomi Klein talks about the power of politics and the impact capitalism has on climate change. 

The failed economic system is the one that has to change in order to stop climate change. An interesting way to look at the environmental changes that are happening right now.

6. Plastic: A Toxic Love Story by Susan Freinkel

Repeat after us: plastic is not your friend! Susan Freinkel puts us face to face with one of the biggest problems of the century: we produce too much plastic. She manages to show how the relationship between people and plastic is toxic because it is misleading. While it might be cheaper to use now, what are the implications of using plastic in a few years? How much will it cost us to stop climate change and is it already too late?

The story of plastic is told by Susan Freinkel by using 8 of the products most commonly used in every household. Your love-hate relationship with plastic is about to change.

7. Don’t Even Think about It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change by George Marshall

For the last book in the top, we selected one that combines climate change and psychology, two things that are rarely mentioned in the same context. 

George Marshall takes a good look at how our brains are trying to hide the fact that climate change is real. This book shows how we can understand and change what excites, motivates or threatens us. We can only change our mind only after we understand it.

If psychology is a subject that raises your interest, read this book to better understand how our brain works around the idea of climate change. 

Reading these books won’t change anything about the climate, however, it is just the first step we can take to change the way we act. Start with yourself!

Don’t forget that psychology, politics, health, and history are all influenced by and influence climate change.