21 of the most influential books on Sustainability
A list of 21 Books that have shaped my view of climate change and sustainability, plus a special addition at the end.
Please have a read through this list, let me know which ones you’ve read, what your thoughts were and what books you’d add to the list…
(1) Project Drawdown
For me, this is the bible on Climate Change.
A number 1 must read.
The World’s Leading Resource for Climate Solutions; their mission is to help the world stop climate change — as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible.
If you find it easier to engage with interactive resources then have a look at their incredibly useful website which breaks down all of the possible solutions by sector.
“Drawdown is the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. This is the point when we begin the process of stopping further climate change and averting potentially catastrophic warming. It is a critical turning point for life on Earth.”
(2) Greta Thunberg; The Climate Book
With contributions of over 100 experts, Greta has earned her title of the worlds leading activist and has provided this essential reading on what’s needed and how to make it happen.
This book shows that we all have the responsibility of being alive at the most decisive time in the history of humanity, and that, together, we can do the seemingly impossible.
But it has to be us, and it has to be now.
(3) Vanessa Nakate — A bigger Picture
I first came across Vanessa Nakate in 2020. I thought, aside from Greta, there must be other young, inspirational climate activists all around the world — so I started doing some research into other key voices in the space when I came across Vanessa. Unfortunately I came across the press photo that had cropped out Vanessa, so those in the picture were all white.
For me, 2020 was a year when I (and many others) really started to see the links between (systemic) racism, and climate change (social + environmental justice), especially with thanks to the likes of Leah Thomas (see next book). I was so pleased to see that Vanessa had released her own incredible book, which brings an African perspective to the conversation that I had yet to come across. An eye opening and empowering must read!
(4) Leah Thomas — The Intersectional Environmentalist
This was a book I had been looking forward to reading for a long time. Leah gained notoriety after an Instagram post of hers used the phrase “intersectional environmentalism” and called for environmental activists to support Black Lives Matter in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
Over the last few years, Leah has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and highlight areas where the effects of climate change are disproportionately affecting people from ethic minority backgrounds.
This is where social injustices cross (intersects) with environmental crisis — and Leah (along with her team) strongly advocate for social change and equity, if we are to truly safeguard and protect against the worst of the climate crisis.
(5) Jeremy Williams — Climate Change is racist
Jeremy sums up intersectional environmentalism quite bluntly. Climate Change is Racist.
I won’t beat around the bush. Please read all of these aforementioned books if you’re in any doubt about the factualness of that statement.
(6) David Attenborough — A Life on Our Planet
Sir David Attenborough, the BBC calls him the Godfather of natural history TV. A lot of people seem to learn/ engage more with more visual forms of communication. The work that David Attenborough has down to raise awareness of climate change all around the natural world is nothing short of exceptional. We have so much to thank David for and his book brings his own narrative, journey and storytelling about his own experiences and what’s he has witnessed in his time — which is a lot, and a lot of changes.
(7) Stephen Hawking — Brief Answers to the Big Questions
The final book by the late and great Professor Stephen Hawking.
Not strictly a climate change book, but a book on science.
I found Stephens book to be a really enjoyable read, not only was his a genius, but his wit and humour is evident in his writing too.
I’ll leave you with one of his closing remarks and you might get an idea of why I’ve included this book.
“…We never really know where the next great scientific discovery will come from, nor who will make it. Opening up the thrill and wonder of scientific discovery, creating innovative and accessible ways to reach out to the widest young audience possible, greatly increases the chances of finding and inspiring the next new Einstein. Wherever she might be.”
(8) Yuval Noah Harari — Sapiens
This was probably one of the first books I read that made me seriously consider our lives (as a species) on this planet, the impact we’ve had on the natural world around us, the challenges we’ve overcome and also the problems we’ve created.
(9) Mike Berners-Lee — There is no Planet B
Probably one of the more famous books, Mike also wrote the book ‘How Bad are Bananas’ which looks at the carbon footprint of everything. Mike has a great way of explaining quite complex things in really simple terms. These 2 books of his really stand out to me and the wider climate action community as they’re often widely referenced, the title of this specific book becoming a slogan for the climate movement. He addresses the problems of today and tomorrow, climate change but also biodiversity loss and resource shortages (namely food) with an ever-growing population.
(10) Bill Gates — How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Should Bill Gates be writing about Climate? Well, as per the opening of his book, it’s something he’s avoided and not wanted to do for a very long time. But time and time again he’s found that he keeps coming face-to-face with the stark realities of our changing climate. With the Gates foundation he has travelled all around the world, in a bid to support young people with access to education and health-care, he found that he could no longer get away from the fact that Climate Change is a leading cause and effect to/of poverty around the world. I found his book surprisingly refreshing, I was skeptical, I thought I might find his writing grating but on the contrary, I thought it was an incredibly well researched book brimming with insights into the problems around the world, solutions available and emerging technologies.
(11) Naomi Klein — This Changes Everything
Capitalism Vs the Climate.
Naomi dissects the global economy of capitalism and mega-consumption; highlighting how this all directly creates a never-ending increasing amount of carbon emissions and destruction of our planet/ natural resources. It’s a powerful read that will grab you and leave an impression, though pretty bleak.
(12) James Thornton & Martin Goodman — Client Earth
Written by James and Martin, the founders of Client Earth, a non-profit environmental law group, the book charts the journey from inception to the present day, detailing how citizens can use public interest law to protect their planet.
“Environmentally, our planet lacks the laws to keep it safe and those laws we do have are feebly enforced. Every new year is the hottest in human history, while forest, reef, ice, tundra, and species are disappearing forever.”
Client Earth have taken huge fossil fuel corporates to court (the likes of Shell) for their blatant disregard of environmental protection, as well as Governments including our own (UK); Historic High Court ruling finds UK government’s climate strategy ‘unlawful’.
Client Earth and Project Drawdown are two pages that I would highly recommend following on LinkedIn so you get updates on what they’re each doing.
(13) Paul Polman & Andrew Winston — Net Positive
What is a Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year doing in this list?
(Former Unilever CEO) Paul Polman and Andrew Winston reason that it IS in business interest to ‘Go Green’ and that ESG and sustainability targets aren’t going to hamper success or business growth, in fact it’ll do the opposite.
With great examples highlighted like the push for a clean economy and the unprecedented focus on diversity and inclusion, offer exciting new opportunities to heal the world, and prosper by doing so.
Disalciamer; I need to admit I’ve not finished this one yet but, a brillaint book so far!
(14) Mary Robinson — Climate Justice
The Former President of Ireland has brought us this fantastic little book. It’s only a short one and a quick read. Mary has brought a collection of stories together of people who have experienced Climate Change first hand, from people who have had their homes destroyed by natural disasters to workers who have lost their jobs as fossil fuel industries start to reinvent themselves. This was the first book I read when I truly came to see the importance of a just transition — we cannot make the changes that are necessary alone, and we cannot leave anyone behind in the process.
(15) George Monbiot — Regenesis
We are farming our planet to death.
George Monbiot is a renowned climate activist and respected voice within the climate science and journalism space, in this book (one of many he’s written on climate change) he discussed the impacts of the farming and agriculture industry, and how our diets/ consumption, demand for more is destroying the planet. His proposals for remaking the global food industry, from changes in farming practices to 3D-printed steaks, make for urgent, essential reading.
(16) David Wallace-Wells — The Uninhabitable Earth
This is a very shocking book. A non-fiction on what ‘life after warming’ will look like.
Drought, floods, wildfires, economic crises, political instability, famine and mass migration — although David does remind us that the solutions do exist and it is possible for us to avert the worst effects of the impending climate crisis — this book does predominantly focus on the scale of the problem.
Maybe not a book to read on your holidays.
(17) Matt Winning — Hot Mess
Brilliant.
Honestly brilliant.
Matt is a climate researcher/ scientist and… a comedian. This book covers his journey as a new Dad, with him questioning the impact of his newborn and what the world is going to look like as his child grows up. Some brilliant insights as he covers a range of topics concerning the average member of the public from what we eat to how we heat our homes, where we live, travel and how we vote.
(18) Jonathan Safran Foer — We Are The Weather
Another book by a Dad, when I first read this book I was really moved. It was one of the first books that really opened my eyes to the importance of individual action.
Jonathan is a fantastic writer who has put a lot of work into this book, he’s focused on stating the facts and perfectly balanced not over-dramatising the situation we are in (in fear of making it sound too sci-fi) whilst still instilling complete urgency in the position we are in.
Energy and the Built Environment
As I work with heat pumps and wider HVAC products in the construction industry, I wanted to include a couple of books that I’ve read that have been insightful and significant to the work I do in this industry. I hope that you enjoy them too, they may even inspire you to get more involved with energy efficiency!
(19) John Armstrong — The Future of Energy (series)
With a career working in the energy sector, John brings a wealth of experience forward into his books. From 2020 John set about writing about the current state of play in the domestic and global energy markets, current trends, challenges and predictions for what this decade will bring.
Heavily influenced by unforeseen events, the speed at which the energy sector changes is so fast, that John has committed to releasing a new book every year for this significant decade.
I had the pleasure of connecting with John and discussing his work, as we look to further decarbonise and electrify the built environment (electrification of heat in buildings), the importance of a grid network that can support this cannot be understated, John explained to me the role of energy balancing, smart demand networks and the growing demand for renewables — all of which has also been covered in his books 2021/ 22. Great reads!
(20) Graham Hendra — 50 Things You Need to Know About Heat Pumps
17% of UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions come from space heating.
So is it a surprise that I included a book about heat pumps in this list?
It shouldn’t be.
In the majority of previously listed books, heat pumps get a mention as a key climate solution. So it’s no surprise that I’ve included our industry, heat-pump Guru, Graham Hendra.
He’s provided us with 2 key, no-nonsense books, one for homeowners and one for heating professionals. Read both, or at least whichever is most pertinent to yourself.
Graham has a real way with words. It is a real skill to be able to make people laugh (un-ironically) whilst talking about heating.
I highly recommend buying and reading his books, then giving him a follow on LinkedIn so you can keep up to date with his weekly insights, hints and tips.
(21) Tom Dollard — Designed to Perform
The performance gap between predicted and actual energy use in new homes has been identified as key problem by government and industry experts.
Tom is an incredibly passionate architect who has been instrumental in the design and adoption of many industry leading sustainability certifications and schemes.
In his book, Tom includes a careers worth of research, data and insights (along with lots of helpful illustrations) into where the gaps exist, why we should change and how we can change and improve the homes we build today for the people tomorrow.
Building regulations in the UK are changing — we can target lower emissions and even net-zero carbon, but if we continue to make the same mistakes in our design methodologies we will fall short. Tom’s book is a must read.
(22) Steve Brusatte — The Rise & Fall of the Dinosaurs
This last one is special.
Like Stephen Hawking and Yuval Noah Harari’s books, this is not strictly about Climate Change.
It’s about Dinosaurs.
But it really changes the way you look at Humans, and our existance on this planet.
“We humans now wear the crown that once belonged to Dinosaurs. We are confident in our place in nature, even as our actions are rapidly changing the planet around us. It leaves me uneasy, and one thought lingers in my mind…
If it could happen to the dinosaurs, could it also happen to us?”
