logo
Eight Earth Day reads that span the roots of the climate crisis and offer hope for the future

Eight Earth Day reads that span the roots of the climate crisis and offer hope for the future

Euronews24-04-2025
ADVERTISEMENT
It has been 55 years since the first Earth Day, an annual event founded following a wave of environmental protest in the US that led to the creation of a federal agency to protect the environment.
This history helps explain why Americans are once again taking to the streets on 22 April, as
President Trump
guts core environmental agencies and rolls back vital protections.
At a bewildering moment for the global climate movement, which has celebrated
Earth Day
since 1990, we need all the historical context and informed visions of the future we can get.
Luckily, bookshops have history, hope and the resources to replenish our care for the natural world in rich supply.
'Books are the starting points of action-making and of change-making,' Jessica Gaitán Johannesson, digital campaigns manager at Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh, tells Euronews Green.
Related
Science, compassion and Catholicism: How Pope Francis helped inspire global climate action
Read, think, act: Meet three booksellers guiding people through the climate crisis
Climate-conscious bookshops are busy setting people off in productive directions all year round. But Earth Day can still be useful as an awareness-raising mechanism, Jessica says.
'I think an important thing is for individuals and organisations to note it and to actually just for a moment stop and take stock and maybe spend half an hour reading the news articles and understanding why
Earth Day
is important,' says Amber Harrison, co-owner of FOLDE bookshop in Dorset.
'Even if people just take one tiny step or one action to do something a little bit differently or to explore an idea a little bit differently, then a huge difference could be made.
'Far too often it's just another day marked in the calendar and it needs to be quite seriously recognised, particularly in this time of changing climate.'
With that in mind, who better than booksellers to share their top reads this Earth Day.
8. Renaturing by James Canton
Mel, from Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees
, says: 'I really feel that this book is a must-read for anyone saddened by the recent news that almost half the
butterfly species
in Britain are now in long term decline.
Mel, from Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees.
Drake The Bookshop
'What I really loved about this book is that not only does James reflect on his own rewilding journey as he turns the field behind his cottage into a thriving wildlife haven, but he makes a distinction between '
rewilding
' which is usually reserved for large scale project, and 'renaturing' which is much easier for anyone to achieve on a small scale.
'It is a heartfelt, accessible guide for anyone wanting to make a positive impact in their own local areas - a wildflower window box, a small garden pond - even on the smallest scale, it all counts.'
Related
Meet the Italian tattoo artist who turned his London backyard into a thriving urban garden
7. Practicing Social Ecology by Eleanor Finley
'We hear a lot about the climate crisis in the news and on social media, but there's never much discussion about what ordinary people can do about it politically,' says
Jamie, from Red Lion Books in Colchester
.
'Practicing Social Ecology by Eleanor Finley is a fantastically down-to-earth book about how we can build ecological alternatives to the current bureaucratic system.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jamie, from Red Lion Books in Colchester.
Red Lion Books
'
Citizens' assemblies
, social revolutions, study groups, and local permaculture projects are explained and explored, with examples of successful ecological movements from around the world.
'This is a book about grassroots democracy, offering practical tools to help build a better, more ecologically just future for humanity and the natural world.'
6. Ways of Being by James Bridle
Chris, co-owner of Hold Fast Bookshop in Leeds
, recommends Ways of Being by James Brindle. 'This book is a thought-provoking look at how humans have forgotten, or not yet come to fully appreciate, the wisdom of natural forces on display in the environment around us, whilst already causing the
extinction
of many plants and species.
Chris, co-owner of Hold Fast Bookshop in Leeds.
Hold Fast Bookshop
'It is illustrated with insights into how animals with 'more than human'
intelligence
often outsmart the best computers and artificial intelligence in survival and navigation, and how we could adapt our use of technology to work with nature rather than against it. From predicting volcanic activity to anticipating predators, we humans are often one step behind.
ADVERTISEMENT
'Bridle wisely suggests 'if we are prepared to treat understanding as a process and a negotiation, rather than as a route to mastery and dominance, there is much we can learn from the wisdom of others.' I found this book a humbling and hopeful read.'
Related
New year, new reads: Here are my favourite climate-related books from 2024
5. The Memory We Could Be by Daniel Macmillen Voskoboynik
Jess from Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh
always has The Memory We Could Be by Daniel Macmillen Voskoboynik close by. 'In order to create a different future, we need to be honest about the past,' she says.
'Histories are narratives constructed by those in power, and so in order to build new ones, we must address the hundreds of years of
colonialism
, imperial oppression and extraction that lay the foundation for the climate and environmental collapse we see today.
'For the majority of the world, it is nothing new. Voskoboynik's book is a thoroughly courageous, generous and kind call to feel all of it - the sorrow, the fear, the power and connection - and to unite in choosing a different path with everything we have. I've held it close for years now and will continue to do so.'
ADVERTISEMENT
4. Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
'In this age of continuous bad news, bombardment of climate crisis news, micro (and macro!)
plastic pollution
, and people in general not being in contact with nature, it is more important than ever to be aware of our natural surroundings,' says
Manuel, from Read on Sea, in Leigh On Sea
.
Manuel, from Read on Sea, in Leigh On Sea.
Read on Sea
'Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake offers a timely and awe-inspiring exploration of the natural world. Sheldrake's book delves into the fascinating world of
fungi
, showing how these organisms form essential networks that sustain life on Earth. By understanding the intricate web of life that fungi support, we gain a deeper appreciation for the fragile ecosystems we depend on.
'Entangled Life serves as a powerful reminder of natural interconnections, urging us to rethink our relationship with nature. On Earth Day, this book is a call to action, encouraging readers to not only reflect on our planet's challenges but also to renew our commitment to healing and preserving the natural world.'
3. Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility, edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua
'With the changing climate making the news headlines for all the wrong reasons - floods, wildfires, storms and biodiversity loss - you could be forgiven for thinking there's not much to be hopeful about.
Not Too Late
aims to change that mindset,' says
Amber, co-owner of
FOLDE bookshop
in Dorset
.
ADVERTISEMENT
Amber, co-owner of FOLDE bookshop in Dorset.
FOLDE bookshop
'This anthology of short essays and conversations spans science, Indigenous systems approaches, climate coloniality and climate victories. It's written by those who've experienced first-hand the impacts of changing conditions, as well as poets, scientists, lawyers and activists, with the contributors sharing lived experiences and ways to try and make sense of our current position.
'Rather than being a book that just looks to the past, it also looks to our future, including speculative fiction for the world we hope for. And that's what this book tries to convey - that hope delivers more when we work together, and that we're 'not too late'.'
Related
Fish door bells, plastic-eating fungi and tree hugging: Positive environmental stories from 2025
Inactivity kills millions, but movement is the 'miracle pill' that could save people and planet
2. One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jenni Desmond
Nicci, of Happy Reading Children's Bookshop in Broadstairs
, sets the scene for her pick: 'It's almost Earth Day, and two sisters are gazing out at the night sky from their bedroom in Greenwich. What does Earth look like at this exact moment, all around the globe? They open the window and take flight to find out.
Nicci, bookseller at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop in Broadstairs.
Happy Reading
'Today's
children
are increasingly, deeply aware of endangered animals, plastic pollution, and the importance of looking after our planet. Thankfully, children's books are leading the way in raising awareness… like 'One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth', which is engaging, inclusive, and gloriously illustrated.
ADVERTISEMENT
'Nicola Davies is a go-to for nature writing with heart, always centring animals, empathy, and the mindset of young readers. This first-time collaboration with illustrator Jenni Desmond is a winning one. If your library doesn't yet have books about caring for our planet, this stunning picture book on Earth Day is the perfect place to start.'
1. The History Trees by Colin Selter
'While it's an unusual pick, The History Trees is a timely reminder of the resilience and joy of nature,' says
Anna, from Simply Books in Manchester
.
Anna, from Simply Books in Manchester.
Simply Books
'Following remarkable
trees
from around the world, many of which have borne witness to huge historical milestones, to those that have become a part of history themselves.
'The History Trees is the perfect read for anyone who needs to be reminded
why
we should protect our planet.'
ADVERTISEMENT
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South Africa's police minister suspended amid corruption allegations
South Africa's police minister suspended amid corruption allegations

France 24

time15-07-2025

  • France 24

South Africa's police minister suspended amid corruption allegations

01:45 15/07/2025 Sierra Leone's Tiwai Reserve joins UNESCO World Heritage list 15/07/2025 South Africa faces legal action over birth certificate backlog 15/07/2025 15/07/2025 Ukraine cautiously welcomes US support 15/07/2025 EU plans countermeasures to Trump's tariffs 15/07/2025 Bastille Day fireworks in pictures 15/07/2025 US President Trump gives Moscow 50-day ultimatum over Ukraine war 15/07/2025 Israel strikes military tanks in southern Syria 15/07/2025 Syria: 'Sweida has been a real focal point of violence' Middle East

Renowned Italian sphere sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro dies aged 98
Renowned Italian sphere sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro dies aged 98

Euronews

time23-06-2025

  • Euronews

Renowned Italian sphere sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro dies aged 98

Arnaldo Pomodoro, one of Italy's most prominent contemporary artists, has died at the age of 98. Pomodoro died at home in Milan on Sunday, the eve of his 99th birthday, according to a statement from Carlotta Montebello, director general of the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation. Best known for his massive and shiny bronze spheres with clawed out interiors which decorate iconic public spaces from the Vatican to the United Nations, the artist sought to comment on the superficial perfection of exteriors and the troubled complexity of interiors. In a note of condolences, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said Pomodoro's 'wounded' spheres 'speak to us today of the fragility and complexity of the human and the world.' The Vatican's sphere, which occupies a central place in the Pigna Courtyard of the Vatican Museums, features an internal mechanism that rotates with the wind. 'In my work I see the cracks, the eroded parts, the destructive potential that emerges from our time of disillusionment,' the Vatican quoted Pomodoro as saying about its sphere. The United Nations in New York received a 3.3-meter diameter 'Sphere Within Sphere' sculpture as a gift from Italy in 1996. Pomodoro described it as 'a smooth exterior womb erupted by complex interior forms,' and 'a promise for the rebirth of a less troubled and destructive world.' Other spheres are located at museums around the world and outside the Italian foreign ministry, which has the original work that Pomodoro created in 1966 for the Montreal Expo that began his monumental sculpture project. In addition to his spheres, Pomodoro designed theatrical sets, land projects and machines, as well as a controversial fiberglass crucifix for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - featuring a four-and-a-half-meter diameter crown of thorns which hovers over the figure of Christ. The artist had multiple retrospectives and, according to his biography on the foundation website, taught at Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley and Mills College.

Bone collectors: searching for WWII remains in Okinawa
Bone collectors: searching for WWII remains in Okinawa

France 24

time23-06-2025

  • France 24

Bone collectors: searching for WWII remains in Okinawa

The 72-year-old said a brief prayer and lifted a makeshift protective covering, exposing half-buried bones believed to be those of a young Japanese soldier. "These remains have the right to be returned to their families," said Gushiken, a businessman who has voluntarily searched for the war dead for more than four decades. The sun-kissed island in southern Japan on Monday marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa. The three-month carnage, often dubbed the "Typhoon of Steel", killed about 200,000 people, almost half of them local civilians. Since then, Japan and the United States have become allies, and, according to official estimates, only 2,600 bodies are yet to be recovered. But residents and long-time volunteers like Gushiken say many more are buried under buildings or farm fields, or hidden in jungles and caves. Now rocks and soil from southern parts of Okinawa Island, where the bloodiest fighting took place, are being quarried in order to build the foundations for a new US air base. The plan has sparked anger among Gushiken and others, who say it will disturb the remains of World War II casualties, likely killed by Americans. And while Okinawa is a popular beach getaway these days, its lush jungles have preserved the scars of combat from March to June 1945, when the US military stormed ashore to advance its final assaults on Imperial Japan. Full skeleton Walking through meandering forest trails in Itoman district, on the southern end of Okinawa, Gushiken imagined where he would have hidden as a local or a soldier under attack, or where he may have searched if he were an American soldier. After climbing over moss-covered rocks on a narrow, leafy trail, Gushiken reached a low-lying crevice between bus-size boulders, only big enough to shelter two or three people. He carefully shifted through the soil strewn with fragmented bones, shirt buttons used by Japanese soldiers, a rusty lid for canned food, and a metal fitting for a gas mask. At another spot nearby, he and an associate in April found a full skeleton of a possible soldier who appeared to have suffered a blast wound to his face. And only a few steps from there, green-coloured thigh and shin bones of another person laid among the dried leaves, fallen branches and vines. "All these people here... their final words were 'mom, mom'," Gushiken said, arguing that society has a responsibility to bring the remains to family tombs. Gushiken was a 28-year-old scout leader when he was first asked to help search for the war dead, and was shocked to realise there were so many people's remains, in such a vast area. He didn't think he could bring himself to do it again, but over time he decided he should do his part to reunite family members in death. 'Every last one' After the war ended, survivors in Okinawa who had been held captive by US forces returned to their wrecked hometowns. As they desperately tried to restart their lives, the survivors collected dead bodies in mass graves, or buried them individually with no record of their identity. "They saw their communities completely burned. People couldn't tell where their houses were. Bodies dangled from tree branches," said Mitsuru Matsukawa, 72, from a foundation that helps manage Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. The site includes a national collective cemetery for war dead. Some young people have joined the efforts to recover remains, like Wataru Ishiyama, a university student in Kyoto who travels often to Okinawa. The 22-year-old history major is a member of Japan Youth Memorial Association, a group focused on recovering Japanese war remains at home and abroad. "These people have been waiting in such dark and remote areas for so many decades, so I want to return them to their families -- every last one," he said. Ishiyama's volunteering has inspired an interest in modern Japan's "national defence and security issues", he said, adding that he was considering a military-related career. The new US air base is being built on partly reclaimed land in Okinawa's north, while its construction material is being excavated in the south. "It is a sacrilege to the war dead to dump the land that has absorbed their blood into the sea to build a new military base," Gushiken said. Jungle areas that may contain World War II remains should be preserved for their historic significance and serve as peace memorials to remind the world of the atrocity of war, he told AFP. "We are now in a generation when fewer and fewer people can recall the Battle of Okinawa," Gushiken added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store