This whole ‘saving the planet’ thing finally seems to be catching on. Knowing where to start can be a little overwhelming, so I’ve rounded up the best books about saving the planet to get you on the right track.
From “how to” guides and essay collections to children’s picture books, here are my picks for the best books on saving the planet to start your sustainability journey.
THE BEST BOOKS ABOUT SAVING THE PLANET
THERE IS NO PLANET B
By Mike Berners-Lee
There is No Planet B by Mike Berners-Lee is the quintessential eco-warrior guide. Laid out as a series of questions (What happens to the food we grow? Should I buy an electric car? Should I go veggie or vegan?), this is a great book to start your eco journey with.
Berners-Lee argues that we need to make fundamental changes to the way we live and think in order to avoid catastrophic climate change that will lead to food shortages, mass extinctions, and extreme weather events. It is a comprehensive yet accessible book brimming with practical tips on how individuals and businesses can make a difference.
IS IT REALLY GREEN?
By Georgina Wilson-Powell
‘Greenwashing’ has become a bit of a buzzword. It refers to a company overselling its sustainability credentials or providing misleading information to consumers to appear more eco-friendly than they are. In Is it Really Green? Georgina Wilson-Powell looks at everyday items and habits to examine whether they’re genuinely sustainable or have just been subjected to some clever greenwashing. Wilson-Powell covers almost every aspect of daily life, from the carbon footprint of groceries to the greenest forms of contraception to the environmental impact of pets.
My favourite thing about this book was that it made me question things I hadn’t thought of before. And I like to think I’m pretty eco-educated! For example, the environmental impact of online clothing returns (many returns go straight to landfill) or the carbon footprint of emails (yes, really!).
HOW TO GIVE UP PLASTIC
By Will McCallum
Written by Will McCallum, Head of Oceans at Greenpeace UK, How to Give Up Plastic is an easy-to-read, accessible eco-handbook. The book combines shocking statistics (at our current rate of pollution, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050) with practical tips on changes we can make – small and large – to replace everyday plastic items in our lives.
McCallum takes readers room-by-room through their homes and workplaces, pointing out everyday plastic items and offering alternative solutions. The tips are accessible and easy to follow, making this a practical eco-guide for the everyday.
NO. MORE. PLASTIC.
By Martin Dorey
No. More Plastic. by Martin Dorey is for those seeking a quick, easy-to-digest read. Dorey founded The 2 Minute Foundation, a non-profit with the idea that taking two minutes out of your day to pick up litter can make a big difference.
This book includes super-simple ideas for changes to make in everyday life to be more eco-conscious. It is not an in-depth guide covering all aspects of sustainable living. Instead, it’s a collection of bite-sized chunks of info and easy-to-implement ideas. In all, it’s the perfect introduction for someone at the start of their eco journey.
HOW TO SAVE YOUR PLANET ONE OBJECT AT A TIME
by Dr Tara Shine
How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time by Dr Tara Shine is perhaps the prettiest book on this list. This hardcover gem is full of beautiful illustrations and super-helpful information. From tea bags to toiletries and lightbulbs to lawnmowers, this book analyses the impact of a host of everyday objects, offering various alternative solutions.
Dr Shine is an environmental scientist, former climate change negotiator, and an environmental advisor to governments, so she sure knows what she’s talking about! Shine breaks everything down into easy-to-digest information, easy for us “regular folk” to understand.
99 MAPS TO SAVE THE PLANET
By KATAPULT
99 Maps to Save the Planet is an absolute must-read for those who learn visually. The book uses vibrant illustrations and infographics to show the stark reality of our planet’s climate crisis. Unlike most of the books in this list, this is not so much a “how to” guide or a book of solutions but more of a “what’s happening” look at the destruction of the environment. The authors do not tell us what to do to save the planet. Instead, they present the data in an eye-catching way and let us draw our own conclusions.
The maps cover a diverse range of facts, including the CO2 emissions of bottled water vs tap water per litre (202.74 g vs 0.35 g), how many sharks were killed by humans in 2018 (100-273 million) vs how many humans were killed by sharks (4), and how much tropical forest is lost annually (an area the size of England). Both informative and engaging, this is the ideal coffee table book about sustainable living.
NO ONE IS TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
By Greta Thunberg
It wouldn’t be a proper list of books about sustainable living without a Greta Thunberg book. Love her or hate her (I’m Team Love, obvs.), Thunberg has undoubtedly shaken up the climate change debate over the past few years. No One is Too Small to Make a Difference is a collection of her climate speeches from world events, including her iconic United Nations address of 2019.
Thunberg doesn’t mince her words; she tells it how it is. And though this seems to divide people on the love/hate spectrum, she gets her point across and gets heard. This is a great little coffee table book for when you want to feel inspired to create change.
THE CLIMATE BOOK
By Greta Thunberg
The Climate Book is less of a coffee table book and more of an eco-warrior’s bible. Curated by Greta Thunberg, it contains a collection of essays by over 100 climate experts, from academics to indigenous leaders. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the science of climate change to the social and political implications of climate activism.
Thunberg’s own essays are dotted throughout the book. Along with sharing her experiences as a climate activist, she writes passionately about greenwashing and the need for urgent action on climate change. However, this book is not all doom and gloom; it offers a hopeful message that we can still avert the worst effects of climate change if we act now. It’s a powerful and inspiring call to action to leave you feeling motivated to make a difference.
Live Green
By Jen Chillingsworth
With one tip for every week of the year, Live Green is a comprehensive guide to living more sustainably. This pretty little book covers a wide range of topics, from reducing your environmental impact at home to making more eco-friendly choices in your daily life and living sustainably within your community.
In addition, there are sections on the importance of living a healthy and fulfilling life, with chapters on eating a plant-based diet, getting enough exercise, and managing stress. It’s an excellent resource with a good balance of scientific information and practical advice. Plus, it looks super pretty on your bookshelf!
THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT SAVING THE PLANET
You’re never too you to start learning about caring for the planet. I’ve included a couple of children’s books for those who want to help the younger humans in their life start their own eco journey as soon as possible.
Here are my picks of the best children’s books about saving the planet.
A PLANET FULL OF PLASTIC
By Neal Layton
A Planet Full of Plastic is a lovely children’s book with absolutely beautiful illustrations (of not-so-beautiful pollution). Little eco-warriors can learn why plastic doesn’t biodegrade and what that means for the planet. Layton doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of plastic pollution, as he covers the death of marine animals, contamination of food and water, and health risks to humans.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. The book also offers ideas for kids to get involved and help make a difference, from ditching juice cartons with straws to recycling to beach cleans. It’s the ideal addition to any family home or classroom bookshelf.
HOW TO HELP A HEDGEHOG AND PROTECT A POLAR BEAR
By Dr Jean French
Another beautiful book for younger readers is How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear. It focuses on the different habitats across the globe, including wetlands, savannahs and oceans. Each section highlights the endangered animals from a habitat, offering practical ways for even little humans to help the planet. Kids can learn how to build an insect hotel, do a litter pick, or simply switch to a reusable water bottle.
Created in collaboration with the National Trust, the book is quite UK-focused. However, from tigers in the jungle to blue whales in the Pacific Ocean, there’s still plenty to engage kids from across the globe.
GUARDIANS OF THE PLANET: HOW TO BE AN ECO HERO
By Clive Gifford
Guardians of the Planet is an excellent book for slightly older children and tweens. The book is broken down into sections for the different types of heroes. Children can learn to be a ‘Guardian of Green Energy’, a ‘Wildlife Warden’ or a ‘Food-Waste Fighter’. The tips on how to help are explained in child-friendly language, plus there are creative activities to set these ideas in motion.
The illustrations by Clive Gifford are bright and colourful, and the book is laid out in bite-sized pieces of info, ideal for young minds to digest. As a bonus, all royalties earned from the book are donated to the environmental charity, ClientEarth.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BOOKS ABOUT SAVING THE PLANET? Let me know in the comments!
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