Don’t despair: there are plenty of ways to do your bit for the planet
Another day, another headline about climate change. It seems like we can’t do anything without it being bad for the environment. From ditching single-use plastic to cutting down on meat, there are various actions you can take to help the planet.
If you want to do your bit but don’t know where to start, these eye-opening books will point you in the right direction.
No More Plastic: What You Can Do to Make a Difference by Martin Dorey
This pocket-sized gem is packed with digestible nuggets of advice on how to ditch plastic from our daily routines (I think it’s let down by the fact that it doesn’t address the issue of plastic pollution caused by fishing nets, but that’s another blog post).
Instead of adopting a doom-and-gloom attitude, Martin Dorey focuses on how we can take action and motivate others to do the same. When you’ve finished, pass it on to someone else.
How to Live Plastic Free by The Marine Conservation Society
I liked this book because it breaks down plastic usage by our daily routines, from getting ready in the morning to the toys we buy for our kids and companion animals. Plastic is pervasive in our everyday lives, but it’s possible to cut down on the plastic we use.
Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were by Philip Lymbery
The effects of modern factory farming are wider-reaching than you’d initially think. In this saddening book, Philip Lymbery presents a wealth of research highlighting how intensive animal agriculture has been detrimental to the environment.
As well as causing species of bees, butterflies and birds to decline, animal agriculture has had an alarming impact on other animals such as elephants, penguins and jaguars. If you’re passionate about reducing the environmental impact of your daily choices, this book is sure to open your eyes.
Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat by Philip Lymbery
Factory farming is an uncomfortable topic for most people, but we can’t afford to ignore the truth any longer. Whether we like it or not, we need to move away from meat-heavy diets if we want a planet to live on.
Farmageddon takes us through the practices used in modern factory farming and how destructive they are for the environment, as well as alternatives we could adopt. There’s also an infographic version of the book if you’re more of a visual learner.
This is Not a Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook
Individual actions matter and we should all do our best to look after the Earth. However, governments and corporations should be held accountable for the part they play in climate change.
The Extinction Rebellion Handbook includes perspectives from scientists, activists and people already suffering the effects of climate crisis. This is a must-read - even if you don’t fancy joining in protests and getting arrested, there are still ways you can be involved.