New Environmental Science Books
A collection of books related to environmental science and sustainability, new to Wellington City Libraries.
Reefs of time : what fossils reveal about coral survival / Gardiner, Lisa S., 1973-
Scientists predict that due to the climate crisis, we will lose most of our coral reefs in the next 100 years. When looking into this bleak prediction, Gardiner found an interesting paradox; the species of coral that are on the brink of extinction today are the same species that survived and regrew following huge climate events in the past. Through cutting edge science and expeditions into the "shallow end of deep time", Gardiner argues that there's still hope for our coral reefs, and that the past might hold the solutions to how we might help them survive. Reviewers say that this book is "an elegant, urgent, and ultimately hopeful message about why our past matters so much to our future”.
Human / nature : on life in a wild world / Rawson, Jane
A poetic, personal work of creative non-fiction which explores the murky relationship between the natural world and our own. The inception for this work comes from Rawson's decision to move from her home in the city to the bush in the Huon Valley. Being surrounded by nature, and living a life inevitably more entangled with it, led her to interrogate her own, and humanity's, complicated relationship with our natural world. Readers are praising this book for its tender wit, its bravery in asking uncomfortable questions about how we live our lives in relation to our environment, and its thought-provoking ideas about environmentalism and conservation. 'Human/ nature' has been praised by The Age as a book that will "unsettle, but in a good way, inspiring unexpected hopefulness.", and by The Guardian as a collection of essays written with "levity, beauty and deep contemplation". This title sounds like a brilliant read for anyone thinking about how to live ethically with nature.
A personal memoir about the healing properties of nature, and the work we must dig into to heal it in return. After experiencing the double devastation of war and a miscarriage, Merlin and his wife Lizzie return to family farmland in the heart of Bodmin Moor. In this book the couple discover the healing powers of reconnecting with the land and start fighting for the future of the UK’s last remaining pockets of unfelled rainforests.
An in-depth and not for the faint-hearted look into the critical condition of our global food system. At the core of this book is Grunwald's idea that until we fix how we use the land to feed ourselves, we cannot solve the climate crisis. Critics are praising this book for its ambitious scope, calling at an accessible roadmap for the environmental policy work needed to save ourselves and the planet. Readers report that although this book contains deep dives into the numbers and complicated facts, which may put off a potential reader not working in environmental policy, Grunwald's powerful storytelling makes this a compelling read.
One of the biggest challenges in climate change education is how huge and nebulous it is as a topic. In 'Climate injustice', Otto distils a big picture perspective on the complexities of the climate crisis into accessible lessons in climate science. This book explores the climate crisis through four separate examples of its hazardous effects: heat waves, droughts, fires, and floods. Each type of disaster is grounded in a real-world example, providing the reader with a far-ranging perspective spanning six continents. A detailed, expert look into the inequitable impacts of climate change, and the science behind it.
Climate optimism : celebrating systemic change around the world / Biabani, Zahra
To end our recent picks, a balm of optimism. In this book climate activist, eco-influencer, CEO, and writer Zahra Biabani aims to create a guide to facing the challenges of the climate crisis. This book acknowledges why climate optimism is such a difficult mindset to cultivate, and points to stories of success which we can look to for inspiration. Readers report that although not an in-depth look into the climate crisis, 'Climate optimism' could be a great starting point for a reader who feels overwhelmed by the state of our world, wants to learn about some success stories, and/or is looking to start becoming part of the change needed.