The 30 Best Sustainability Books To Inspire Action

OMG this book is fascinating! It really does have the carbon footprint of everything. It even compares different ways of ironing! And there is plenty of explanation about why the carbon footprint of comparable items differs. One of my favourites: the carbon footprint of strawberries is seven times higher when they’re out of season. This is a great reference for making (and justifying) decisions to have less environmental impact.

Storytelling is one of the best ways to inspire sustainable living and boy do Mark and Tom Delaney have a good story to tell. The father and son are Australians who voluntarily lived in Indian slums for over 13 years. Their stories of their lives in India and of their friends and neighbours are truly enthralling and provide a great backdrop for their advice on sustainable living and environmental activism. There are also thought provoking reflection questions at the end of each chapter and quiz questions at the end of the book to test your understanding.

I love this book so much! I couldn’t put it down. Emily Ehlers (aka Eco With Em) uses delightful illustrations to humorously explain how you can stop feeling helpless and do something. This can be applied to any large problem that is bigger than yourself but is certainly geared towards taking action around sustainability.

The book explains how entire supply chains are unsustainable, leading to environmental degradation, social injustice and economic inefficiency. Leonard starts by using simple examples to explain how we got here: fast fashion that’s worn only once or twice before being thrown away; gadgets that become obsolete within months of purchase; toxic waste polluting our waterways and harming human health. She then delves into the history of consumerism and the growth of corporations that prioritize profits over people and planet.

The book also offers solutions for moving towards a more sustainable future. Leonard advocates for reducing consumption through conscious choices like repairing items instead of replacing them or buying secondhand goods. Given this book was written over ten years ago, it is sadly still entirely relevant due to a worldwide lack of progress on sustainability.

If you’re reading this list, I assume you believe in climate science, But do you know exactly what the scientists have observed and what they’re predicting? Greta Thunberg has collated the wisdom of over one hundred experts in all different fields ranging from geophysicists to economists to historians to indigenous leaders to explain the climate; how it works, what has changed; how it affects us and what we can now do about it.

In This Changes Everything, Naomi Klein articulates how climate action is completely at odds with capitalism. She shows us how taking action to correct climate change is also beneficial to reducing gaping inequalities and improving our democracies and economies.

Based on the TV series of the same name, Fight For Plant A addresses some uncomfortable truths about how Australian’s lifestyles are affecting our precious planet. It also gives us hope that we don’t need to feel powerless but easily make a few changes that will make a difference.

If you’re looking to have an impact that extends beyond yourself then this book by social researcher Rebecca Huntley is for you. It delves into the psychology of what makes different people care about climate change (or not) and how we can trigger emotions in people that will motivate them to take action.

The book starts with a sobering assessment of the current state of the planet and its future if we fail to act. Gates then outlines five key areas that need urgent attention: electricity, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and buildings. He explains how each sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and suggests ways to decarbonize them using existing technologies or innovations that are within reach.

In this book, the authors argue that we have two possible scenarios for the future – one where we continue on our current trajectory towards catastrophic climate change or another where we choose a more sustainable path. They emphasise that while it may be tempting to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem, we must not give up hope and instead take collective action towards positive change.

“Body Count” by Paddy Manning is a sobering read that exposes the devastating toll of climate change on both human lives and our environment. Manning’s narrative delves into the untold stories of those impacted by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and ecological disruption, painting a stark picture of the profound consequences. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the book highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and serves as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a human story of suffering and loss.

In this compelling and inspiring memoir Jane Fonda shares her awakening to the urgency of the climate crisis and the pivotal role individuals can play in effecting change. Through a combination of personal anecdotes and practical advice, Fonda empowers readers to take meaningful action in the fight against climate change, from participating in protests to engaging with elected officials. Her book serves as a rallying cry for collective action and a call to harness our individual agency to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Mia Swainson, an environmental engineer, offers in Happy Planet Living lots of easy, actionable steps you can take to live more sustainably. Obviously an avid gardener, there is a large section on gardening and growing your own food and plenty of delicious recipes.

This is one for those wanting to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. This book takes you through how to responsibly declutter each room in your home, why it is good for the environment to live clutter free and how to maintain the habit.

If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to build a sustainable house and garden from scratch, this book is for you. From planning, design considerations and material selection, The Sustainable House Handbook details how to reduce energy and water use while staying comfortable year round and have a thriving food producing garden.

Kate Hall doesn’t just offer advice on sustainable living. In Better, Bolder, Different she shares exactly how she has implemented sustainable living practices into her own life with plenty of photos that help to feel really connected to her. She makes sustainably living sound like an absolute joy, who wouldn’t want to live that way?

Natalie Isaacs, is an environmental activist who founded the organisation 1 Million Women. In her book, she shares her personal journey towards living a more sustainable life and encourages other women to do the same. Isaacs covers a wide range of topics including energy consumption, waste reduction, food choices, fashion sustainability, and activism. Each chapter is filled with real-life stories from inspiring women who are making a difference in their communities.

This is a perfect little hand book on how to reduce your carbon footprint. It is great for someone who doesn’t really like reading because it gets straight to the point with no waffle but does mention lots of statistics that support the advice.

Not everyone has the privilege to be able to make more sustainable choices when they cost more than the alternative but Natalie Fee shows us that there are plenty of ways to reduce our environmental impact without breaking the bank. This sustainability book covers every area of our lives you can possibly think of in bite size sections that are easily digestible. It is clearly well researched as it quotes many studies and reports along the way.

In Loved Clothes Last, de Castro explores the concept of sustainable fashion through personal anecdotes and interviews with industry experts. She delves into the history of clothing production and its ties to exploitation and environmental degradation. The book also features practical tips for consumers looking to make more responsible choices when it comes to buying clothes.

Cline provides practical tips on how readers can build a wardrobe that aligns with their values and personal style without harming others or the planet. She emphasizes the importance of choosing quality over quantity by investing in pieces made from sustainable materials and encourages readers to explore secondhand shopping as an alternative to buying new clothes. Cline believes that changing our relationship with fashion starts with being mindful of our consumption habits and becoming more conscious of where our clothes come from.

In “The Hidden Life of Clothing,” Rachel Worth examines how the disconnect between consumers and the creative, human aspects of clothing production has evolved since the 19th century, where clothing is often valued more for its fashion appeal than its craftsmanship. Amid growing concerns about the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry, Worth suggests that exploring history can help consumers better navigate their wardrobe choices and influence the future of fashion. While not offering simplistic historical solutions, the book encourages readers to take ownership of their clothing choices, resist marketing pressures, and rethink their wardrobes in sustainable, meaningful ways to counter the chaos of fast fashion and create order and beauty in their lives.

Have you ever wished you had the skills or confidence to do basic mending on your clothes like sewing on buttons, adjusting hems or patching holes to make your clothes last longer. This is an excellent step by step guide with lots of pictures to assist with all those simple repairs that can help to avoid throwing away good clothes that have been quite literally, loved to pieces.

Through extensive research and expert interviews, The Sacred Cow argues that animal agriculture can be sustainable, ethical, and healthful. The authors, a dietician and research biochemist, make a compelling case for why we should prioritize regenerative farming practices that benefit both animals and the environment.

This book is the ultimate guide to being more sustainable when it comes to food. It is not just about reducing food waste and plastic waste in the kitchen but also covers contentious issues like the environmental impact of eating meat, palm oil and additives.

One Pot, Pan, Planet is a cookbook that focuses on environmentally friendly and sustainable cooking. The author has presented more than 100 recipes in the book that take into account the impact of food we consume on our planet. Her approach to cooking covers all aspects, including reducing food waste, using locally sourced produce and choosing plant-based ingredients.

“What’s For Dinner” explores the intricacies of our food consumption and production, addressing questions about the quality of our food, its impact on the environment, and the role of farmers. In a world where a small number of individuals produce food for a growing population, this book sheds light on the disconnection between consumers and food production while emphasizing their shared interest in the process. By combining science, historical context, and personal narratives, “What’s for Dinner?” invites readers to connect with the plants, animals, and individuals responsible for their meals, making it a compelling read for anyone who partakes in eating.

Plastic is all around us so how can we quit plastic without being majorly inconvenienced? Quitting Plastic offers easy and practical ways to cut down the plastic in your life, not just by refusing straws or remembering a reusable coffee cup but by covering every room in your house and situation you might be in, even the wardrobe!

Siegle’s book provides an in-depth analysis of the history and impact of plastics, from their inception in the early 20th century to their current global ubiquity. She highlights how consumerism has contributed to the proliferation of single-use plastics and explores how corporations have exploited our love for convenience at any cost. The book also outlines some of the lesser-known impacts of plastic waste, such as its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. But we can make change and Siegle offers practical solutions and insights into how we can tackle this issue.

“Plastic Free” chronicles the remarkable journey of Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, who initiated the Plastic Free July movement in 2011, starting with a small local group and growing it into a global community of 250 million people across 177 countries committed to reducing single-use plastic consumption. This book delves into the campaign’s rise, offering lessons from its achievements, including marine debris research, waste management insights, and behavioral research. Through interviews with participants, activists, and experts, “Plastic Free” highlights the vast scale of the plastic waste issue and showcases how individuals have made meaningful change in their lives, communities, and beyond, providing hope and practical inspiration for addressing global environmental challenges one step at a time.