Books

• Summer Sustainability Reads

  Tuesday, July 25, 2023 | By tthayalalingam

  By: Thurkkha Thayalalingam

  This list presents to you a few great sustainability books that can help you learn about the history of sustainability and provide an outlook on our future with some practical solutions. Both new and old, some of these books explore revolutionary ways of thinking about our impact and role on this planet. 

  Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things 

  By: William McDonough & Michael Braungart 

  

  Cradle to Cradle is a seminal book written by an architect and a chemist who together explore the societal and environmental benefits of a circular economy. Rather than the traditional “cradle to grave” concept of looking at a material’s life cycle, the authors look at how we can turn it into a “cradle to cradle” mindset by eliminating the final disposal stage. The book discusses the idea that everything can be a resource for something else.  

  The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win 

  By: Jeff Hollender & Bill Breen 

  

  Targeted towards businesses, The Responsibility Revolution acts as a guide for companies to build a more sustainable future while holding themselves accountable for their activities. The authors strive to completely redefine the fundamental purpose of businesses by encouraging them to be rooted in positive change.  

  The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming 

  By: David Wallace-Wells 

  

  The Uninhabitable Earth provides an alarming perspective on the future of the planet. The book aims to clarify the true scope of climate change and its impacts, rather than focusing on solutions to the issue. David Wallace-Wells looks at how global warming will impact geopolitics, technology, and the overall trajectory of humankind’s future. Fair warning, this book is not as uplifting or hopeful as some other books on this list. 

  Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience and the Fight for a Sustainable Future 

  By: Mary Robinson 

  

  Mary Robinson brings the voices of those that are heavily affected by climate change to the forefront in this book. It highlights climate change-related experiences from people around the world. Visiting places around the world such as Malawi and Mongolia, Robinson realized that some of the most impactful drivers of climate action was at the grassroots level. Climate Justice is a hopeful manifesto for climate justice internationally. 

  Rebuilding Earth: Designing Ecoconscious Habitats for Humans 

  By: Teresa Coady 

  

  Rebuilding Earth is a revolutionary and uplifting book on designing and building sustainable infrastructure in the Digital Age. The book introduces the 12 Principles of Conscious Construction as a framework for sustainable development. Coady teaches us how to implement meaningful change by truly understanding how to maintain and protect the natural environment.  

  Silent Spring 

  By: Rachel Carson 

  

  Considered one of the most influential environmental books, Silent Spring is about the impacts of pesticide use on the environment and the downstream effects on humans. Taking over four years to write, and released over 60 years ago, Carson challenged the agricultural industry by meticulously explaining the process by which pesticides (DDT in particular) enters the food chain and eventually negatively affects human health.  

   

  Categories: Books, Student Contributor, Sustainability

• What to Watch & Read This Fall: A guide to sustainability-focused books & documentaries

  Thursday, October 28, 2021 | By ebreslow

  Blog Contributor: Madison Lepp

  Taking some time away from your studies can be a great opportunity to learn about new things. These books and documentaries are the perfect additions to your fall reading and must-watch list.   

  Must Read:

  1. All We Can Save (2020)

  

  All We Can Save Book. Source: All We Can Save Project

  All We Can Save is an anthology of writings by 60 women at the forefront of the climate movement. The book honours the complexity of the climate crisis while intermixing essays with poetry and art. Highlighting that women and girls are vital to the climate movement, the book itself serves as space for these voices. Using hard facts, personal essays, calls to action, and thoughtful perspectives the message is clear: to change everything, we need everyone. Past the book itself, “All We Can Save Circles” are self-organized small groups committed to reading the book together over the course of 10 sessions, with open-source facilitation materials designed to build connection and seed action. 

  Available locally: Someday Books

  2. Consumed (2021)

  

  Consumed Book. Source: Hahette Book Group

  Consumed: On colonialism, climate change, consumerism & the need for collective change asks you to change your consumer identity through a two-part reading of ‘learning’ and ‘unlearning.’ The book sheds light on the uncomfortable history of the textile industry; one riddled with injustices, racism, and inequalities. Aja Barber helps you understand why you consume the way you do, whose pockets your money actually goes into, and why we fill voids with consumption rather than compassion. CONSUMED will teach you how to be a citizen rather than a consumer.  

  Available locally: Someday Books (special order)

  Must Watch:

  1. There’s Something in the Water (2019)

  

  There’s Something in the Water film cover photo. Source: IMDb.

  There’s Something in the Water, an expository documentary, confronts the inaccurate view of what Canada is like. Beneath the perfect image lies the truth of unjust inequalities, dominating corporations, and disregard for human health. It is common knowledge that the climate crisis is inextricably linked to environmental racism, social injustice, and health; this documentary helps connect the facts to real-life situations. It takes place in the province of Nova Scotia, exposing the disproportionate effects of water pollution on low-income, Indigenous, and Black communities. Exploring some of the most pressing environmental issues and their impact on everyday lives.  

  Available on: Netflix, Apple TV

  2. Ice on Fire (2019)

  

  Ice on Fire film cover photo. Source: Fantastic TV.

  Ice On Fire examines the potential for global catastrophe as a consequence of Arctic thawing. The film follows scientists and visionaries who are working together to mitigate climate change. The film brings you concrete facts on the rising temperature of the Earth but also a list of the world’s most promising solutions. The film provides hope through the exploration of carbon capture solutions that may just give us a chance at reversing climate change.   

  Available on: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime

   

   

   

  Categories: Books, Film, Student Contributor, Sustainability