World Environment day: 5 must-read books to transform your perspective on our planet
This year, dive into five powerful reads, curated by the British Council to challenge, inspire and offer diverse perspectives on environmental stewardship. Each work challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature and act with purpose to safeguard our world. Dive into these must-read titles to ignite your passion for a sustainable future.
A Life on Our Planet – David Attenborough
In A Life on Our Planet, David Attenborough reflects on his remarkable life and the profound changes he has witnessed in the natural world. As a young man, he believed he was exploring pristine wilderness, but he now recognises the illusion: the gradual, almost imperceptible loss of Earth's wild places and biodiversity has been the tragedy of our time.
This book serves as his poignant witness statement, chronicling humanity's greatest error and offering a hopeful vision for the future. Mr. Attenborough urges that we have one last opportunity to restore the planet we've inherited and create a sustainable home, if only we summon the collective resolve to act.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants – Robin Wall Kimmerer
As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer is skilled in exploring nature through the lens of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she holds dear the belief that plants and animals are our greatest teachers.
In Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, Ms. Kimmerer weaves these perspectives together, revealing that fostering a deeper ecological awareness demands recognising and honouring our mutual bond with the natural world. Only by listening to the voices of other beings can we truly appreciate the earth's generosity and understand how to offer our own contributions in return.
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet – Thich Nhat Hanh
In Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Thay, offers a compelling vision for a better world, emphasising that transforming our mindset is the key to meaningful change. He teaches that our thoughts shape our actions, relationships, and responses to crises, but negative narratives often cloud our perception. That guides us to see reality clearly, break free from limiting beliefs, and find the energy to act purposefully for the planet's future.
With inspiring examples of his own engaged action, Buddhist parables, and accessible daily meditations, this profound guide illuminates a path towards collective awakening and environmental renewal in a world that desperately needs it.
The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies – Lee Ann Dugatkin
In The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Astonishing Intricacy of Animal Societies, evolutionary biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin delves into the fascinating social webs that define animal communities worldwide. From vampire bats sharing vital blood meals to macaque monkeys forging grooming alliances post-hurricane, connectivity is key in the animal kingdom.
Drawing on research from fields like animal behaviour, evolution, psychology, and neurobiology, Dugatkin unveils the intricate social networks that predate human social media, exploring species from giraffes and elephants to whales and Tasmanian devils. With vivid anecdotes – such as researchers swimming with manta rays or guarding iPads from mischievous monkeys – this captivating journey across continents reveals the profound complexity of animal friendships, rivalries, and everything in between.
It's Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World – Mikaela Loach
Mikaela Loach's It's Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World delivers a bold, unfiltered call for climate justice. She exposes how an economic system driven by profit fuels oppressive structures, exacerbating poverty, environmental destruction, and more. Loach argues that true climate action demands confronting these interconnected injustices at their roots, offering a path to collective liberation and equality.
With refreshing honesty and optimism, this transformative book provides an accessible, radical vision for reshaping our world, inspiring readers to rally for a future where the planet and its people thrive together.
These five remarkable books illuminate the urgent need for environmental awareness and action. From David Attenborough's poignant reflections to Mikaela Loach's bold call for justice, each offers unique wisdom to transform how we view and protect our planet. This World Environment Day, let these stories inspire you to embrace your role in fostering a healthier, more connected world for all its inhabitants.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- The Hindu
NTPC Simhadri celebrates 28th Raising Day
NTPC Simhadri commemorated its 28th Raising Day on Tuesday (July 8) at its administrative premises in Parawada, Anakapalli district. Sameer Sharma, Executive Director and Head of Project, hoisted the NTPC flag and led the gathering in the rendition of the NTPC anthem. In his address, Mr. Sharma reflected on the plant's journey since its inception in 1997 as NTPC's first coastal-based power station. He highlighted key achievements over the years, including 100% ash utilisation and several accomplishments beyond power generation. The celebration also included a cake-cutting ceremony and prize distribution to winners of recent initiatives such as Swachhata Pakhwada, World Environment Day, and International Yoga Day.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- New Indian Express
BWSSB to plant 60,000 saplings to commemorate diamond jubilee
As part of diamond jubilee celebrations, the BWSSB has launched a large-scale tree plantation drive titled 'Green Path - Water's Future', with the aim of planting 60,000 saplings across its jurisdiction, said BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar on Monday. Inaugurating the campaign at the GKVK campus, Manohar symbolically planted 60 sapling varieties. 'A green environment is essential for both water conservation and ecological balance. Citizens must contribute by planting trees in their surroundings to make our city greener and more beautiful. BWSSB owns several land parcels across Bengaluru, and our aim is to convert them into green zones,' he said. Manohar further noted that the campaign, inspired by World Environment Day, aims to plant 60,000 saplings over the coming year under the guiding theme — 'Green Path - Water's Future'. To encourage broader participation, BWSSB has appealed to bulk water users, including apartment complexes, industries, tech parks, and educational institutions to actively join the campaign. They are being asked not only to plant saplings within their premises, but also to take responsibility for their upkeep and maintenance. Additionally, all BWSSB divisions and offices have been instructed to take the lead in planting trees in their respective areas and service zones.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Sapling drive launched on Palar River bank in Vellore
VELLORE: As part of an ongoing green initiative, District Collector V R Subbulaxmi on Saturday inaugurated a project to plant 2,000 saplings along a one-kilometre stretch on the banks of the Palar river at Agaramcheri in Gudiyattam. The initiative falls under the district administration's plan to develop mini forests ranging from two to fifteen acres on government poramboke lands — including grazing lands, barren lands without ownership disputes (such as hills), and riverbeds — across taluks such as Kaniyambadi, Anaicut, Katpadi, KV Kuppam, Gudiyattam, and Pernambut. On the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, the district administration had launched a large-scale afforestation drive, planting 35,000 saplings across Vellore district. Of these, 2,000 were planted in Kaniyambadi taluk, 1,000 in Anaicut, 2,000 in Katpadi, 1,000 in KV Kuppam, 1,000 in Pernambut, and 1,000 in Gudiyattam — totalling 8,000 saplings on that day alone. The collector has instructed officials to ensure the maintenance of the saplings for a period of one year, to be carried out by workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), in coordination with the Department of Rural Development.
