When we talk of the best environmental books, we are talking about books that have changed our world and have helped drive people towards environmental sustainability.
Books are produced every day but only a few of them talk about our environment.
So, when we see books that talk about saving our future and the future of the Earth, it should be appreciated.
I deeply appreciate people who gave time to pen down their concerns and also a way out of the impending doom mother Earth currently faces.
Written in this article are just 15 of the best environmental books I recommend you should get. There are surely more out there but, we will be considering just 15 for the sake of this article.
Table of Contents
15 Best Environmental Books you should get
Below are some of the best environmental books you can find.
- Sand County Almanac
- How to Be a Good Creature
- Where the Wild Things Were
- The Two-Mile Time Machine
- The Balance of Nature
- The Winds of Change
- Braiding Sweetgrass
- Choked
- Falter
- Inconspicuous Consumption
- No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference
- Sustainability Made Simple
- There Is No Planet B
- Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
- Don’t Even Think About It
1. Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Intro-Why you should read it
Your relationship with the animals, plants, and environments will be enhanced and deepened as a result of Sand Almanac’s ability to help you think scientifically and experience the natural world in new ways.
What the book is about in brief
This book discusses what a conservation biology degree entails, how ecology may be applied to everyday life and the value of developing a deeper grasp of ecology.
The entire American environment is straightforwardly explored in Sand Almanac so that anyone can use it in their daily lives.
Key Takeaways
- Local creatures that are killed lose their ability to maintain the ecosystem’s equilibrium.
- People ought to live in harmony with nature rather than attempting to control it. Humans can benefit from the land without having complete control over it.
- Living things that aren’t immediately helpful to humans should be protected by humans to preserve nature.
2. How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery
Introduction: Reasons to read it
Any person who likes nature or animals will enjoy this lovely book.
The writing of Sy Montgomery is sophisticated, lighthearted, and heartfelt. Her descriptions are full of amazement, idealism, and respect, and they perfectly reflect the soul of the people she writes about.
Summary-What this book is about
How to Be a Good Creature is an insightful account of 13 creatures who had a tremendous impact on the author’s life and helped to build her fundamental view of nature.
These intriguing narratives provide a firsthand perspective on what it means to be a dog, a pig, a cat, or even an octopus.
Key Takeaways
- The author explores the world of animals and highlights the significant lessons we may draw from these incredible beings.
- The book is short but with lovely illustrations and exciting content.
- The physical quality is good, and the print is visible to everyone.
3. Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators by William Stolzenburg
Introduction: Reasons to read it
This book demonstrates how interconnected our worlds are and how important it is for us to understand how climate change is being driven by humans.
The author interweaves true tales from his youth and travels with tales of traveling animals.
The writing of Stolzenburg is fascinating and conversational. You’ll soon have a close connection with him.
Summary
In this book, Stolzenburg provides an overview of biogeographic scales while defining important conservation concepts (such as niche and endangered).
He presents a unique viewpoint on connectedness by arguing that humans are the “definitively invasive species,” frequently causing damage when we encroach on the territory of other plants and animals.
Key Takeaways
- William Stolzenburg, a science journalist, provides readers with a singular viewpoint on the world in this book.
- Every animal in the environment is necessary. The author examines the terrible consequences of ecological destruction.
4. The Two-Mile Time Machine: Ice Cores, Abrupt Climate Change, and Our Future by Richard Alley
Introduction: Reasons to read it
The Two-Mile Time Machine offers a fresh perspective on how the world’s climate is changing and what it might mean for us in the future.
What the book is about in brief
In The Two-Mile Time Machine, Richard Alley explains how remarkable developments in dating methods and geological research over the past ten years have fundamentally changed our understanding of ancient climates.
He explains some of the unexpected locations around the globe where important pieces of this knowledge have surfaced.
The book also demonstrates how this new knowledge can aid in our ability to forecast Earth’s future, which poses the threat of becoming far warmer than anyone anticipated only a few years ago.
Main Points
- This book provides readers with a thoughtful analysis of climate change. Richard Alley leverages his extensive climatology experience to create an engaging read on a fascinating subject.
- The book takes us back in time by describing significant occasions that have influenced our current climate.
5. The Balance of Nature: Ecology’s Enduring Myth by John Kricher
Introduction: Reasons to read it
An environmental science book called The Balance of Nature: Ecology’s Enduring Myth discusses why the idea of ecological balance is more myth than fact.
What the book is about in brief
The book covers a wide range of topics, including fundamental ecological theory and actual instances of how ecology functions.
You can better grasp basic ecology, ecosystem balance, and wildlife population dynamics by reading The Balance of Nature.
Main Points
- This book provides us with a thought-provoking page-turner by tracing the history of ecological theory and evolutionary biology.
- Ecology is dynamic, and nature never achieves equilibrium.
6. The Winds of Change: Climate, Weather, and the Destruction of Civilization by Eugene Linden
Introduction: Reasons to read it
Eugene Linden offers insight into some of the most fascinating global warming research that is currently being conducted.
Summary
In this book, Linden spins a tale that is compelling, terrifying, and occasionally humorous, offering a scientific narrative to go along with the fundamentals of climate change.
He addresses some of the most pressing issues affecting society right now, such as how and why things change. Why are we so terrified of the future?
Main Points
- This book gives readers important background information on climate change and its potential future effects. Climate may either support or destroy civilizations.
- Why Everyone should pay attention to the warnings about climate change after reading The Winds of Change?
7. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, And The Teachings of Plants by Robin Kimmerer
Introduction: Reasons to read it
The writing in Braiding Sweetgrass is exquisite and will make you more sensitive to the natural world.
The stories of Kimmerer are uplifting, real, and powerful.
Summary
Through the integration of science, cultural anthropology, and the natural world, Robin Kimmerer presents her research on the connections between indigenous and scientific knowledge.
Main Points
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer inspires amazement and astonishment for the enigmatic beauty of nature and its gifts by sharing her love of the natural world and its beauty through personal anecdotes from her life.
8. Choked: The Age of Air Pollution And The Fight For A Cleaner Future by Beth Gardiner
Introduction: Reasons to read it
A stunning and enlightening examination of how pollution is transforming our world was written by Beth Gardiner.
Summary
Gardiner addresses the pressure on Washington to regulate pollution in his book.
Your companion on this path to a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle is “Choked”.
Key Takeaways
- This book serves as a wake-up call to individuals about (air or plastic) pollution, which is an issue that is currently affecting the entire world.
- Air pollution may cause premature birth, various types of cancer, strokes, dementia, and heart attacks, among other illnesses.
9. Falter: Has The Human Game Begun To Play Itself Out? By Bill McKibben
The benefits of reading
The book Falter examines how climate change endangers our way of life, our economies, and our future.
Bill McKibben uses his decades of experience as a writer and environmentalist to highlight the dangers posed by climate change.
What the book is about in brief
The author does a fantastic job of illustrating how climate change is taking us into uncharted waters.
For everyone interested in learning how we got here and what needs to be done about it, he does it in straightforward words.
Main Points
- This book provides fascinating material about climate change but lacks recent insights into the subject. Recent technology advances, such as robotics and artificial intelligence, challenge human control over the essential elements of our environment.
- It is our shared duty to protect both the human race and the environment.
10. Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have by Tatiana Schlossberg
Intro-Why you should read it
The effects of goods and services on the environment are examined in Inconspicuous Consumption.
What the book is about in brief
Tatiana Schlossberg demonstrates in her ground-breaking book that even the most minute adjustments can have a significant impact on the environment.
She goes on to say that there has never been a time in history when the impact of our buying decisions on society has been greater than it is right now.
Main Points
- People should come together to fight environmental pollution.
- The decisions we make regarding technology, fashion, food, and fuel may have negative impacts on people thousands of kilometers away.
- This book is ideal for beginners, but graduate students will find it deficient in insights into the topic of pollution.
11. No One Is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
Introduction: Reasons to read it
You’ll get the inspiration and resources you need from this book to combat climate change.
Summary
The work of a teenage climate activist named Greta Thunberg has been examined in the book No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference.
She describes how she went from being a fearful student who felt paralyzed by the prospect of climate change to a committed activist who propelled peers and world leaders to take action.
Main Points
- Regardless of our level of power, we must defend our world.
- To keep our world from becoming inhospitable in the future, we need to be aware of our carbon footprint.
- Greta Thunberg’s courage in the face of global warming might serve as an example for us.
12. Sustainability Made Simple: Small Changes For Big Impact by Rosaly Byrd And Lauren Demates
Introduction: Reasons to read it
If you are interested in environmental studies, especially sustainability, but are unsure of where to begin, this book is ideal for you.
Summary
Sustainability Made Simple will show you how a few simple changes may make a big difference in your life.
The author explores strategies to lower carbon emissions and the implications of climate change.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the preservation of the environment should read this book, not just environmental science majors.
Main Points
- This book provides a thorough review of how factors such as water pollution, deforestation, air pollution, and climate change affect sustainable living.
- Living sustainably benefits our health. To attain sustainability, we don’t need to make significant lifestyle adjustments.
13. There Is No Planet B: A Handbook For The Make Or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee
Introduction: Reasons to read it
There Is No Planet B is a wake-up call for anybody who believes that the issue of climate change is too enormous to tackle. It is poignant, provocative, and possibly transformational.
What the book is about in brief
Threats from climate change, inequality, poverty, bigotry, and violence are all addressed in this fascinating and audacious book.
Students who are interested in learning how they can contribute to the creation of a better future should read There Is No Planet B.
Main Points
- We should minimize emissions and raise public knowledge of environmental protection.
- This book explores human activity and its effects on nature.
- We should take responsibility for our activities to make the world a better place for ourselves and future generations.
14. Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? By Frans de Waal
Introduction: Reasons to read it
The book by Frans de Waal compiles the most recent findings in scientific research on animal cognition and behavior.
Summary
Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? is the title of the book? is a fascinating and approachable book that offers a fresh perspective on animals.
This is a current synthesis of scientific theory, research, and theory based on research, not a book of parables or stories.
The book equips students with skills for sophisticated reasoning as they learn about the complexity of the animal kingdom.
Key Takeaways
- Are We Intelligent Enough to Know How Intelligent Animals Are? not only teaches you the fundamentals of cognitive biology, but it also alters the way you perceive the world, changes the way you see yourself and changes the way you see your dog.
- Elephants can identify human beings by language and gender.
15. Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change by George Marshall
Introduction: Reasons to read it
In this intriguing book by Gorge Marshall, you’ll get a close look at how psychology affects climate change.
What the book is about in brief
This book is a tour of the mind and brain to discover why we humans act the way we do, with its unique discoveries and strong scientific underpinnings.
Even though we are aware that climate change is the greatest threat to civilization that we have ever faced, George Marshall explains why it is so difficult for us to take action.
Key Takeaways
- This book investigates why, despite what science indicates, humans don’t change. We are biologically programmed to overlook climate change. We are now doing very little to avoid it since it looks dull, difficult, and far away.
Conclusion
The ability to identify solutions to the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet is what we think these environmental science books can do for us.
To address environmental issues like greenhouse gases and rising sea levels—the climate crisis facing the planet—we need all the assistance we can get.
We hope that your research of the most important topics of our day will begin with our list as a jumping-off point.
Recommendations
- Causes of air pollution in the Philippines
. - 16 causes of water pollution in Africa, Effects, and Solution
. - 11 Water Treatment Companies in Oman
. - 30 Best Blogs about Climate Change
. - 10 Best Environmental Blogs in the World
. - 10 Environmental Organizations in California
A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.