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The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
World Environment day: 5 must-read books to transform your perspective on our planet
Every year, World Environment Day is a reminder that the planet is not just our home – it's our responsibility. As the climate crisis intensifies and biodiversity continues to shrink, the call to rethink how we live with nature grows louder. But the change begins with awareness. Books hold the power to open our eyes, shift our mindset, and spark action. With over 16,000 books and 2,500+ audio and e-books spanning every genre, the British Council's Digital Library offers a gateway to that transformation. 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.
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Having more wayside trees benefits urban environment
The tabebuia tree is more than just 'a pretty face in the landscape'. It is a symbol of resilience, sustainability and harmony with nature. — Photo from RECENT destruction of trees along some roads in Kuching for transportation development has really given me some perspectives. Sir David Attenborough, in his book, 'A Life on Our Planet', presents a review of the natural world throughout the past 70 years. According to him, 'the world is heading for disaster if no redemptions are taken now'. Attenborough, who just turned 99 earlier this month, is hailed as the most active researcher and broadcaster of natural heritage, covering all parts of Earth, so he truly knows what he is talking about. His 'no redemptions' statement reflects the global situation where human beings have destroyed vast areas of forests, grasslands, icebergs, and even the great reefs in Australia resulting from the rising temperature and levels of acidity in the environment. There are now alternative energy options other than fossil fuel, which is regarded as a source of pollution and global warming. In this respect, Sarawak is heading towards utilising hydrogen technology, as well as solar energy for electricity generation. Having said this, it is known that leafy trees absorb carbon dioxide and in the process, release oxygen that rejuvenates air quality. So, why don't we have more trees around the city, especially over the open spaces? The authorities did plant some beautiful wayside trees around Kuching in the 1970s. One of them is the 'Tabebuia rosa', or 'trumpet tree'. I see this species, which is native to the Americas, as 'a gift of beauty to the world' with its bell-shaped blooms. These majestic trees are planted across the tropics and the sub-tropics not only for their visual appeal, but for their environmental and ecological benefits. In Kuching, they used dot along the Jalan Simpang Tiga near the Spring Shopping Mall, but recently, several of them were felled to make way for the ongoing Automated Rapid Transit (ART) project. Fortunately, we have some other trees elsewhere in Sarawak. The trumpet tree is a natural showstopper. The specular flowering display in hues of pink, yellow, purple and white, comes in dramatic bursts during onset of a dry spell in our weather. This tree species plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity. The blooms attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that are crucial for pollination. Additionally, it provides good shade for humans and birds, contributing to healthy urban and natural habitats, respectively. The tabebuia contributes to environmental sustainability in several major ways: Air purification – like all leaf-borne trees, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, helping to combat climate change; Urban cooling – the leafy canopies provide shade, reduce the 'heat island' effect in cities, and lower energy consumption, and; Soil health – the deep roots help prevent erosion and improve water retention. The tree is known for being drought tolerant and relatively easy to maintain once it is established. This makes them an excellent choice for reforestation, as well as for planting in areas with low-water retention or environmental stress. It is also a good timber tree, as it yields hard durable wood good for decking, furniture-making and the construction industry. The tabebuia tree is more than just 'a pretty face in the landscape'. It is a symbol of resilience, sustainability and harmony with nature. By planting and preserving more of this tree, we are not only beautifying our surroundings, but also contributing to the planet's ecological balance and well-being. Another great species is the 'Jacaranda mimosifolia', native to South America especially Argentina and Bolivia. The trumpet-shaped flowers are in vibrant purple or bluish lavender hues, and the leaves are fern-like bipinnate and offer light dappled shade. The tree can grow up to 50 feet (over 15m) tall, and it is a fast-growing plant. It is moderate drought-tolerant once it reaches maturity. The jacaranda is, in my opinion, a great urban landscaping choice for the streets, parks as well as large gardens due to its large canopy and stunning flowers. Happy Gardening!
