A Climate Book for Each Month of the Year (2024)
Last year I wrote 21 of the most influential books on Sustainability — and now, I’ve got a new list — one book for each month of the year!
6 months ago I emigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand, with this move I’ve embraced a few new books that have helped guide my understanding of sustainability within the context of New Zealand, particularly highlighting the profound perspectives of the Māori community on humanity’s relationship with the world.
I’ve broken this list into 2 halves, the first half consists of the 6 books I’ve read since being in NZ, and the second half is those that are sitting on my shelf and/or Kindle library, waiting to be read.
So let’s get started.
Doughnut Economics; Kate Raworth
This book was truly groundbreaking for me. Hence it features on my other book list: Books to Shape Your 30s.
I’ve read numerous books on the subject of climate, hence I create and share lists/ reading recommendations as I believe it’s such an important topic that everyone should engage with. So much so that I recently ran an apprenticeship scheme and probably lectured the poor students into a boredom-induced sleep about how important this book is.
So how does a book titled “Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist” fit the brief of a ‘climate book’?
Kate Raworth’s book had been lingering on my to-read list for quite a while now, and I’m grateful that I finally took the time to delve into it. She deconstructs the entire socio-economic model within which we currently operate, offering fresh perspectives on how we could reshape our lives and aspirations.
In the midst of a global surge in living costs, escalating political corruption, and corporate giants reporting unprecedented profits, Raworth’s book poses crucial questions: Is our financial system fundamentally flawed? How did it reach this point? What avenues exist for transformative change? What might a financial system that prioritises the well-being of both people and the planet look like?
Nga Kupu Wero; Edited by Witi Ihimaera [Collections]
Over the past few years in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand, though it seems at first to have been used for the North Island only), Māori language (and by extension, culture and identity) has started to experience a bit of a renaissance.
Why am I sharing this?
Because sustainability is not just about carbon. The climate crisis is intersectional (see previous book list recommendation), as highlighted in “The Intersectional Environmentalist” where Leah Thomas identifies that social and environmental injustices are interlinked.
This book, Nga Kupu Wero (translates to The Words of Challenge), is composed of short, non-fiction essays, articles and commentary on the political, cultural and social issues by a collection of over 60 contemporary Māori writers.
This is an incredibly powerful book that I’m learning so much from, expanding my comprehension of sustainability to include spirituality and Kaitiakitanga, which is a Māori concept about the belief that there is a deep kinship between humans and the natural world, and Kaitiakitanga is used for the concept of guardianship, for the sky, the sea, and the land.
Nga Kupu Wero, and Aroha (later in this list) are two books that I’m taking my time to read, keen not to rush either of them and eager to open my mind to learning new (to me) concepts — so I’m revisiting them as I meet new people and listen to their experiences during my time in this beautiful country.
Grateful to be able to join the kōrero.
The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back our Planet; Michael E. Mann
All is not lost.
I’m a big fan of the work of Michael E. Mann, having read Our Fragile Moment I was keen to delve into The New Climate War. He draws ‘battle lines’ between people and polluters, highlighting the decades worth of resources fossil fuel companies have put into deflecting blame and delaying meaningful climate action/ response.
This book has really driven home the message for me that the O&G industries have a considerable amount of money at their disposal and have only too willingly spent it on protecting their own interests by lobbying governments and taking political action, enforcing for me the idea that those of us working in sustainability (especially with renewables) need to be unrelenting in our positivity and shared mission, to collaborate and support each other and make tangible progress at industry and government level.
Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet; Hannah Ritchie
Hot topic.
One of the most talked about books on my timeline this year.
Hannah (lead research at the world in data) uses some of the data from her work to tell a story that the situation we are in isn’t as bad as it may seem, and we have real opportunity to save it.
A real split between those who loved it, and hailed this book as a refreshing and much needed take on the climate scenario/ Vs those who were dead against the book, aghast that the author could be perceived as anything other than ignorant.
Unfortunately, the book has faced a fair amount of criticism from readers (and professionals across our industry) who have said she’s ‘cherry picked data’.
I felt the book didn’t cover social impact, or behavioural change that’s required (challenges and opportunities) very comprehensively on our journey to net zero, and I would say the book comfortably falls into the category of technology-optimism (the belief that technology (future and existing) will save us), which I struggle with given the various resources outlined by Project Drawdown (again, see previous list).
All in all though I would say this is a must-read on your climate book list, as it is a great read and an important book.
Aroha; Dr Hinemoa Elder
I can think of no better way to explain why I’ve included this book than to use the words of Dr Hinemoa Elder herself, and so I’ve taken an extract of the introduction that I think really exemplifies the importance of people, nature and connectedness.
Aroha is an ancient Māori word and concept.
The word describes a deeply felt emotion and a way of thinking that encompasses love, compassion, sympathy and empathy. We consider aroha as something that comes from somewhere deep within us, and all around us, an inexhaustible source, a divine wellspring you might say.I have been wanting to share this source of aroha for a long time because I see a loss of connection to it. In my daily work as a psychiatrist, I see so many people deeply affected by the complex stress and trauma of life. I see my friends and whānau struggling to make sense of the realities of our earth’s warming and the devastating impact of human destruction on the planet. I notice how much healing and joy we gain from looking after our local environment, alongside it benefitting the world.
The Climate Mindset Manifesto: How the Key to Solving Climate Change Lies Within All of Us; Katelyn Prendiville
The Climate Mindset Manifesto centres on the idea that fighting climate change isn’t just about science and technology; it’s about changing the way we think, feel, and act every day.
I was lucky enough to get to read a draft copy of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. For me, this had a lot of what Hannah Ritchie’s book lacked.
Katelyn draws on her own experiences on her climate journey to highlight the social and psychological aspects of climate awareness and activism. A compelling read that looks in detail at cognitive dissonance, and the need to connect with the movement in our own unique way.
If you want to understand why some people do engage with the conversation on climate — and others don’t — and hope to know how to engage with those who don’t, then this is the book for you. The book is great for anyone interested in sustainability and activism, and understanding the interplay that psychology has on changing the mindset of individuals and society as a whole.
I also really enjoyed reading about Katelyns journey as Co-founder and CEO of SeedCulture, a company that offers a platform for businesses to embed sustainability into their operations through automation and fun levels of gamification.
Looking forwards
Five Times Faster: Rethinking the Science, Economics, and Diplomacy of Climate Change; Simon Sharpe
Hailed to be a thought-provoking perspective on the shortcomings in science, diplomacy, and economics in the fight against climate change. Really looking forward to reading this next.
Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World; Alison Taylor
I really enjoyed Net Positive (see previous list) and have subsequently followed a few business leaders on LinkedIn who regularly post and provide insights about businesses that are, and those that are not, operating ethically or sustainability. There are unfortunately plenty of horror stories and Alison has been great at putting the spotlight on what good business looks like, the opportunity for businesses in the sustainability space, as well as what greenwashing looks like. I pre-ordered my copy in January (for a release in Feb), and it’s been really testing my patience not to have already started it alongside the 4 other books I currently have on the go!
Vulture Capitalism; Grace Blakeley
Maybe I’m getting more political in my old age, but for similar reasons here as to sharing Doughnut Economics, for us to be successful in our climate journey, financial models will need to support the just transition, and political parties will need to show true leadership — where too often they’ve been swayed by short-termism and backdoor lobbying.
When so many people around the world are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s hard for so many to connect with the conversation on Climate.
Before we start having conversations about ‘Green Growth’, ‘Sustainable growth’, degrowth or just growth for the sake of growth, we should be asking if our current financial models (that are of human design) and political systems are sufficient, whether they support our true goals and how we could take what is currently very unevenly distributed wealth, and use it to reinvest into people and communities, nature and planet, to protect those who are already vulnerable and suffering, and ensure we can preserve as much of this wonderful earth for future generations.
“Blakeley exposes the cracks already emerging within capitalism, lighting a path forward for how we can democratize our economy, not just our politics, to ensure true freedom for all.”
The Forgotten Forest; Robert Venell
This is one I’d seen in a local bookshop and really liked the look of. Personally, I find connecting with the various elements of the climate crisis quite difficult if I’ve not tried to understand the history of the country that I live in. This was one of the key reasons I loved Regenesis by George Monbiot — where he starts the book talking about the soil beneath our feet in Britain, how diverse it is and rich with nutrients, perfect for growing. So I’ve picked up a few books to help me better understand Aotearoa New Zealand, including the previously mentioned books and a couple of others, this one has joined my collection as Robert Venell celebrates all the little things (from giant mosses and magic mushrooms to glow-in-the-dark fungi, slime moulds and ancient lichens and everything in between) that make up the history and science of our lands.
The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World: Energy, Capitalism, and Climate Change; Andy Bowman, ForewordKatharine Hayhoe
A look at how one solar power plant in West Texas can pave the way for sustainable energy solutions. This was also recommended to me, if anyone’s already read it please do let me know your thoughts!
Book Number 12
For those of you who are keen observers (and are still with me), you might have noticed that I’ve listed only 11 books.
I’ve saved a special surprise for book 12.
Coming your way later this year.
Yes, this one is mine.
Stay tuned for more details. If you’re intrigued, drop a comment on the article to let me know — early copies will be circulating in the coming months.
