Search Results for: Environment

Since 1973, Storey’s Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

Learn how monitoring the night sky, mapping trees, photographing dragonflies, and identifying mushrooms can help save the world. Citizen science is the public involvement in the discovery of new scientific knowledge. A citizen science project can involve one person or millions of people collaborating towards a common goal. It is an excellent option for anyone looking for ways to get involved and make a difference. The Field Guide to Citizen Science, from the expert team at SciStarter, provides everything you need to get started. You’ll learn what citizen science is, how to succeed and stay motivated when you’re participating in a project, and how the data is used. The fifty included projects, ranging from climate change to Alzheimer’s disease, endangered species to space exploration, mean sure-fire matches for your interests and time. Join the citizen science brigade now and start making a real difference!

Picture a hunter. Who comes to mind? Millionaire playboys or big truck owning folks? Maybe so, but there’s more to it. Because if you love nature, value sustainability, abhor the pollution and inhumanity of factory farms, you could be a hunter in the making. And if you’ve never even considered hunting, The Shotgun Conservationist reveals all the reasons you should. Brant MacDuff makes us rethink who hunts and why. Growing up an animal lover with no hunting background, MacDuff himself would seem an unlikely advocate. Yet a lifelong love of the outdoors and a restless curiosity compelled him to investigate a simple question: is hunting conservation? So convinced, he consistently holds a hunting license in multiple states and gives lectures on the positive impact hunting has on conservation efforts nationwide and around the world.

MacDuff tells the story of how he became a hunter and the colourful characters, big personalities, and first-hand research that helped change his mind. His journey led to a deeper understanding of how hunting protects public lands, supports sustainable ecosystems, encourages biodiversity, and can help bridge social and political divides. Along the way, he introduces us to a new generation of hunters, different from timeworn stereotypes and preconceptions. And who better than MacDuff? A trans man living in Brooklyn, he defies expectations of who hunts and invites people of all backgrounds into the field.

Whether or not you decide to take up hunting, The Shotgun Conservationist provides a new perspective and appreciation for those who do.

*First Place Winner of the Society of Environmental Journalists’ Rachel Carson Environment Book Award*

With urgency and wit, Tatiana Schlossberg explains that far from being only a distant problem of the natural world created by the fossil fuel industry, climate change is all around us, all the time, lurking everywhere in our convenience-driven society, all without our realizing it.

By examining the unseen and unconscious environmental impacts in four areas-the Internet and technology, food, fashion, and fuel – Schlossberg helps readers better understand why climate change is such a complicated issue, and how it connects all of us: How streaming a movie on Netflix in New York burns coal in Virginia; how eating a hamburger in California might contribute to pollution in the Gulf of Mexico; how buying an inexpensive cashmere sweater in Chicago expands the Mongolian desert; how destroying forests from North Carolina is necessary to generate electricity in England.

Cataloging the complexities and frustrations of our carbon-intensive society with a dry sense of humor, Schlossberg makes the climate crisis and its solutions interesting and relevant to everyone who cares, even a little, about the planet. She empowers readers to think about their stuff and the environment in a new way, helping them make more informed choices when it comes to the future of our world.

Most importantly, this is a book about the power we have as voters and consumers to make sure that the fight against climate change includes all of us and all of our stuff, not just industry groups and politicians. If we have any hope of solving the problem, we all have to do it together.

“A compelling-and illuminating-look at how our daily habits impact the environment.”–Vanity Fair

“If you’re looking for something to cling to in what often feels like a hopeless conversation, Schlossberg’s darkly humorous, knowledge-is-power, eyes-wide-open approach may be just the thing.”–Vogue

“Shows how even the smallest decisions can have profound environmental consequences.”–The New York Times

The environment, and the movement that grew up to protect it, is under attack — concerted and purposeful. Yet the need for solutions to pressing environmental problems grows more urgent each day. Teresa Heinz Kerry and Senator John Kerry describe how these issues unite people across party and ideological lines. From the San Juan Basin to the Gulf of Mexico to the South Bronx, from mothers on Cape Cod to Colorado ranchers, they found a vibrant coalition of people and communities deploying ingenuity, technology, and sheer will power to save the world they know and love. Now, in this passionate and personal book, Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry shine the spotlight on an inspiring cross-section of these new environmental pioneers. The book combines intensive research with keenly observed personal experiences to present a portrait of Americans devoted to the natural diversity and spectacular uniqueness of our country. It also includes an extensive guide on where and how readers can get involved.

The revolution will not take place indoors.

Kenyan beekeeper-turned-farmer Jess de Boer embarks upon a decade-long journey to find purpose and potential in the explosive world of regenerative agriculture.

From honey hunting in the last remaining pockets of rainforest in southern Ethiopia, to gardening in the depths of Kenya’s largest slum, Jess takes you to the arid lands of Northern Kenya where a group of pioneering farmers have begun to connect the people with the dust beneath their feet.

This is a journey into restorative action. Confronting the challenges of our stagnant education systems, unsustainable food production techniques and the growing disconnect of our youth, de Boer merges fact and science with hard-won wisdom in this inspiring and accessible tale of proactivity and hope.

“Read this book and you will learn how photosynthesis was discovered, how it works, and how we can produce more food to feed the world.” – PAUL NURSE, Nobel Prize winner and author of What is Life?

In Light to Life, biologist Raffael Jovine takes us on a journey of discovery into the intricate, beautiful and often surprising processes that convert energy from the sun into life and how all-important these are to our survival.

Despite the unprecedented challenges the Earth faces from global warming, habitat loss, air pollution and population growth; Jovine shows us that there is hope to be found. Photosynthesis is the very source of life: it has the power not just to produce food, but to reshape continents, drive biogeochemical cycles, stabilise the climate and regulate weather.

In this exciting, revelatory book, Jovine unveils a blueprint for the future: greening the desert, bringing the ocean on land, planting mangrove forests and oyster banks, growing algae for animal feed, human food and soil carbon… He demonstrates how by harnessing photosynthesis we can regenerate the planet and revise the way we human beings interact with it.

This book will help you to see the world in a different way, in all its wonderful detail – through the photosynthetic pigments in your eyes.

The international bee crisis is threatening our global food supply, but this user-friendly field guide shows what you can do to help protect our pollinators. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation offers browsable profiles of 100 common flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees that support bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. The recommendations are simple: pick the right plants for pollinators, protect them from pesticides, and provide abundant blooms throughout the growing season by mixing perennials with herbs and annuals! 100 Plants to Feed the Bees will empower homeowners, landscapers, apartment dwellers — anyone with a scrap of yard or a window box — to protect our pollinators.

Climate anxiety is real-and here is a practical, accessible guide to addressing it on personal, relational, and structural levels, from the founder of the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth.

In 2013, Kate Schapira sat in her office at Brown University and read about acidic waters, ecological imbalance, dead zones, and zombie ecosystems. Before then, she’d had the same broad understanding of climate change that most people did at the time, but these articles on the permanent disappearance of coral reefs filled her with such hopelessness and overwhelm that she desperately needed an outlet–someone or some people to talk to, who understood how she was feeling. Soon, she was setting up a Peanuts-style “The Doctor Is In” booth in her hometown of Providence, Rhode Island so that she could talk about climate change with her community. Ten years and over 1200 conversations later, Schapira channels all she’s learned into an accessible, understandable, and aware guide for processing climate anxiety and affecting real change in your life and in your community.

Filled with stories, questions, and exercises, Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth focuses on five action verbs readers can use to build their climate resilience: recognize, release, find, build, and become. All of the stories, questions and practices are included in the book because they helped someone find what they wanted or needed, whether in the moment or for the years to come. Through their use of this book, readers will move through their personal and general climate anxiety, frustration, helplessness and grief, toward a sense of shared purpose and community care. Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth meets readers where they are, with thoughtful and deeply practical strategies to help us meet this growing crisis in a way that doesn’t sugarcoat the realities or scream fragility, but one that offers communal support.

On saving the world and other triumphant failures… As a child, young Kenyan Jess de Boer knew that one day she would save the world. Leaving behind the comfort of home she sets out to make her dream a reality. Many continents, adventures and a few hilarious mishaps later, Jess returns to Africa to dedicate herself to a new passion – beekeeping. Follow the beautifully illustrated misadventures of a young, modern-day explorer as she tackles the enormous challenges of aid in Africa, environmental concerns and conservation issues – often with humorous and dramatic results. While saving the world isn’t as easy as it seems, we can make a positive change, one little bee at a time!

‘Just what we need to get the job done’ Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
‘Smart, easy ways to make a positive impact’ Foreword Reviews

Are you worried about the effects of climate change on our environment? Want to help but don’t know where to start? Environmental activist Natalie Fee’s handbook to green living will help you to make small lifestyle changes which will make a big difference to our planet.

We know that a better world is possible. One where we all get to breathe clean air, marvel at the abundance of wildlife and enjoy life without worrying if it’s about to self-destruct. But how do we get there? And can it really be that easy? And fun? And free?

How to Save the World for Free will galvanize you to think and live differently, covering all key areas of our lives, from food and travel to politics and sex. You will feel better, live better and ultimately breathe better in the knowledge that every small change contributes towards saving our world.

** Publishing in the US as WE WILL BE JAGUARS**

‘Nemonte’s writing is as provocative as it is inspiring’ EMMA THOMPSON
‘One of the most effective leaders for indigenous rights and environmental justice’ LAURENE POWELL JOBS

‘I’m here to tell you my story, which is also the story of my people and the story of this forest.’

Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, Nemonte Nenquimo was taught about plant medicines, foraging, oral storytelling, and shamanism by her elders. Age 14, she left the forest for the first time to study with an evangelical missionary group in the city. Eventually, her ancestors began appearing in her dreams, pleading with her to return and embrace her own culture.

She listened.

Two decades later, Nemonte has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in climate-change activism. She has spearheaded the alliance of indigenous nations across the Upper Amazon and led her people to a landmark victory against Big Oil, protecting over a half million acres of primary rainforest. Her message is as sharp as the spears that her ancestors wielded – honed by her experiences battling loggers, miners, oil companies and missionaries.

In this astonishing memoir, she partners with her husband Mitch Anderson, founder of Amazon Frontlines, digging into generations of oral history, uprooting centuries of conquest, hacking away at racist notions of Indigenous peoples, and ultimately revealing a life story as rich, harsh and vital as the Amazon rainforest herself.

More praise for We Will Not Be Saved:
‘A radical manifesto for our times’ VANESSA KIRBY
‘An act of storytelling generosity’ NATHALIE KELLY
‘Inspiring, moving and unforgettable’ ROWAN HOOPER
‘Truly Inspiring and humbling’ CAROLINE SANDERSON

‘Inspirational’ Professor Alice Roberts

‘Engrossing’ Professor Ben Garrod

The enthralling coming-of-age story of wildlife presenter and scientist Rhys Jones

Growing up on a council estate in South Wales, Rhys Jones never imagined how far life could take him. But a trip with his grandfather to see Stephen Spielberg’s blockbuster Raiders of the Lost Ark changed his perspective forever. The dream of emulating his hero Indiana Jones and travelling to the farthest reaches of the planet to explore exotic locations and its wildlife burned deep inside him.

In Becoming Dr Jones, Rhys shares his inspiring journey, from the Australian outback to the furthest outpost of the Maasai tribe in Eastern Africa. Filled with highs, lows, humour and poignancy, as well as reverent insights into some of the amazing residents of our beloved natural world, Dr Rhys Jones has taken the mantle of adventure to a whole new level.

How has the climate changed in the past?

How is it changing now?

How do we know?

And what kind of a future do we want to create?

“Tallamy lays out all you need to know to participate in one of the great conservation projects of our time. Read it and get started!” —Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction Douglas W. Tallamy’s first book, Bringing Nature Home, awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution? Plant more natives. In this new book, Tallamy takes the next step and outlines his vision for a grassroots approach to conservation. Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. Because this approach relies on the initiatives of private individuals, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy—you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard. If you’re concerned about doing something good for the environment, Nature’s Best Hope is the blueprint you need. By acting now, you can help preserve our precious wildlife—and the planet—for future generations.

Supporting the geography curriculum for KS2, this beautiful book gives readers core information about tundra biomes – where they are found and what their geography is like, the special adaptations of the vegetation and animals, how people live in these regions and how human influences on the environment have ramifications for the future. The book also have relevance for the science curriculum at KS2, promoting an understanding of how plants and animals adapt and evolve according to their environments.

Supporting the geography curriculum for KS2, this beautiful book gives readers core information about marine biomes – where they are found and what their geography is like, the special adaptations of the vegetation and animals, how people live in these regions and how human influences on the environment have ramifications for the future. The book also have relevance for the science curriculum at KS2, promoting an understanding of how plants and animals adapt and evolve according to their environments.

Christy Monson, a retired family therapist, provides in concrete examples and clear language the keys to family success through family councils.While families are diverse and their needs are unique, a family council provides a safe and strong environment for every family to discuss issues and explore the best ways to have the family succeed. A family council is not just any meeting. It’s a special event that provides a background and foundation to create healthy family synergy. Monson teaches families what a family council is and what it is not, why it’s a perfect environment for teaching, for exploring difficult issues, learning how to play, and how best to solve problems at home, school, or work. Monson also includes information for families with special needs.Family councils are a great way to bring children and parents together in a positive environment where they can discuss and solve problems.

Grasslands are one of the most amazing environments on Earth and many plants, people and animals have made grasslands their home and are adapted to living there. They have to be tough to survive the raging hot sun, cold nights, droughts and of course the variety of predators that live there. Read on to find out how they do it!

Books aimed at KS2 readers wanting to find out a bit more about world environments. Amazing Habitats explores six main habitats.

This first environment education book looks at how we can reduce, reuse and recycle in our schools and communities, and protect the environment in other ways, such as walking to school.

The Be an Eco Hero! series introduces environmental issues to children aged 5 plus. The books feature bright, bold illustrations and carefully explain the issues and ways to help, setting children on the path to be life-long eco heroes. The titles in the series are: At Home, On the Move, In the Community, Outdoors.

What Shape Is It? looks at different shapes and encourages children to spot them in the environment. It introduces language for discussing shapes, for example faces and sides, and promotes thinking creatively about which shapes fit together well.

Bright, eye-catching and clear photographs encourage children to look at Maths in their environment and makes the books accessible for a wide age range. Simple text incorporates mathematical terms and builds children’s awareness of numbers and counting. Great for preschoolers.

SHORTLISTED FOR NON-FICTION, ENVIRONMENT AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 2022
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR AGES 5-8 AWARD 2023

An accessible and reassuring picture book that teaches children about the specific challenges of climate change for Australia so they can be informed and make a difference.

Australia is a unique and incredibly diverse natural environment and we are oh-so-lucky to live here. Our country is home to a great number of amazing ecosystems. But things like fossil fuels, greenhouse gases and deforestation are creating imbalances in our ecosystems and causing climate change. Climate changes leads to all sorts of crazy weather and damage to our natural environments and wildlife habitats.

But it’s not too late to fix it! Even small steps can make a difference and you have the power to help.

A practical and reassuring book for children to help them understand climate change and the ways in which they can make a difference.

This first environment education book looks at ways to care for the environment when we are outdoors, from helping wildlife and growing plants to understanding why it’s important to take our litter home.

The Be an Eco Hero! series introduces environmental issues to children aged 5 plus. The books feature bright, bold illustrations and carefully explain the issues and ways to help, setting children on the path to be life-long eco heroes. The titles in the series are: At Home, On the Move, In the Community, Outdoors.

Enough plastic is thrown away every year to circle the world 4 times
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year
300 million tonnes of new plastic is produced every year
An estimated 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic now litter the world’s oceans
38.5 million plastic bottles are used every day in the UK
A million plastic bottles are used per minute around the world
500 million plastic straws are used per year

Without big action, at the current rate, pieces of plastic will outnumber fish in the ocean by 2050. That is the legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren.

Plastic flows into our lives from every direction and most of it is not recycled. Instead it is incinerated or ends up in landfill, where it will sit for hundreds of years, or enters the world’s seas where it fragments into tiny pieces to become microplastics – the environmental scourge of our times.

Many of us had assumed that governments, brands and waste authorities were dealing with plastic on our behalf. But the impact of shows such as Blue Planet along with national beach cleans and high-profile campaigns have resulted in a collective wake-up call. If there were plans and strategies, they have not worked as we imagined. It would be easy to feel despondent but instead we need to turn our anger and emotion into action, starting by making a big dent in our own enormous consumption.

Turning the tide on Plastic is here just in time. Journalist, broadcaster and eco lifestyle expert Lucy Siegle provides a powerful call to arms to end the plastic pandemic along with the tools we need to make decisive change. It is a clear-eyed, authoritative and accessible guide to help us to take decisive and effective personal action.

Because this matters. When it comes to single-use plastics, we are habitual users, reaching out for plastic water bottles, disposable coffee cups, plastic straws and carrier bags multiple times a day. If only 12 of us adopt Lucy’s ‘reduce, rethink, refill, refuse’ approach, we could potentially ditch 3K-15K single items of plastic in a year. When we consider our power as influencers – whether at school, the hairdressers, at work or on the bus – we suddenly become part of something significant.

So now is the time to speak up, take action and demand the change you want to see in the ocean, in the supermarket aisles and on the streets. It’s time to turn the tide on plastic, and this book will show you how.