Must Read Environmental Books for 2020

Are you passionate about the environment and looking for your next page-turner or a Christmas gift idea? Here are a few must-reads, thought-provoking environmental books - that would also make a nice present. They all tackle big questions and offer ways we can all take steps to protect nature and wildlife.

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‘We are the change and change is coming'

A force of nature herself, Greta Thunberg shares her experiences raising global awareness for climate change and environmental protection. In August 2018, at fifteen years old in Sweden, she decided not to go to school one day to protest for global action on climate change. A year later, she was joined by over seven million people around the world. In her own words, the book features her speeches which have made history and earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. No matter how powerless we feel, the book is a reminder of how, and why, we need to keep fighting to protect our living planet.

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Yuval Harari’s latest book is future-focused and grappling with the big question: What will give our lives meaning in the decades and centuries ahead? Contemplating ways to protect ourselves from nuclear war, ecological cataclysms and technological disruptions, there are no issues off-limits. Harari also examines issues which have become more common during the global pandemic of 2020, such as the epidemic of fake news, and the threats of cyber terrorism. He leaves us with some questions and answers on where to put our focus and what we need to teach our children.

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Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

The Overstory features nine characters who all share a deep appreciation of the world’s threatened forests. They treat the trees as revered ancestors, as they share significant amounts of DNA and understand their social lives. The Overstory has been widely praised by critics for bringing awareness to the interconnected life of trees, weaving scientific facts into a literary masterpiece. Powers takes our connection with the natural world to new heights, challenging readers to recognize trees as creatures like ourselves.

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See the world. Then make it better

At 94 years old, David Attenborough has lived an extraordinary life. Many of us know Attenborough from his many documentaries that brought life on earth, in all its exquisite detail, to our homes through the magic of television. In his latest book, a Life on Our Planet he shares his witness statement, and vision for the future, encouraging us to act now, so we can put things right.

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There is growing awareness that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. Plastic pollution also breaks down into small particles which are found in rain, soil and inside birds, fish and mammals. This guide helps the reader to change the world, one plastic bottle at a time and make the small changes that make a big difference. A must-read for everyone who cares about wildlife, the environment and human health.