Hi friends, happy Earth Day! It’s no secret by now that I am an environmentalist and that shows in some of my book choices. While every day should be spent with love for the planet, today in particular is a day to celebrate it and to call for its protection.
For some context, earthday.org was founded in 1970. It works all year round on projects to educate and mobilise people for activism. It also supports many partners working to save the planet. On the 22nd of April each year, people create or join thousands of events around the world to unite on a particular theme for the year. In 2025 the theme is about power and renewable energy.
I’m not going to go on about renewables here, don’t worry. What I am going to do is share some ‘earthy’ books because that is what I am good at! Maybe your action this Earth Day could be to pick one of them up?
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to see this one here. My favourite book of all time, this is a beautifully written book filled with Indigenous wisdom around botany. It absolutely changed how I view the world after I read it.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.
One of the most foundational environmental books out there, published in 1962, it focuses on the use of DDT and its devastating effects on the environment. It sparked an ‘awakening of public environmental consciousness’.
Blue Machine by Helen Czerski.
This is a fabulous and accessible dive into how our oceans work. It won the Wainwright Prize for conservation writing in 2024 and deservedly so. I loved this one a lot – it was fascinating to learn how the ocean has affected civilisations in particular.
Renaturing by James Canton.
I’ve only just received this one from Cannongate, but I love the sound of it. The author decides to rewild a field near his house, and in the process, reflects on why it is not done more and how each of us can do small things to make the environment better.
A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough.
In my opinion, everyone should read something by Attenborough at least once. A memoir of sorts, this incredible book outlines the changes he has seen through his long and amazing life. There are some shockingly distressing facts and figures in here, but ultimately he has hope that we can make change for the better.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown.
One for kids, or those who enjoy kids books too! Roz the robot wakes alone on an island and has to learn how to live in the wilds. While this is primarily about belonging, it also illustrates how we can connect with nature and how complex and wonderful ecosystems are.
A Barrister for the Earth by Monica Feria-Tinta.
The book I am picking up today (sent over by Faber Books)! In this book, we follow 10 cases where the public have sought justice for the planet in the courts.
YOU TELL ME: Will you be picking up a nature book for Earth Day?
Pages of Emma 
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