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European Climate Pact
News article19 July 2024Directorate-General for Climate Action7 min read

6 climate books to add to your summer reading list

6 climate books to add to your summer reading list

Summer is finally here and it’s the perfect time to turn the pages of some thought-provoking reads while spending time by the pool or at the beach. Here are six climate books written and recommended by our Climate Pact Ambassadors.
 
Whether you're a seasoned activist or new to the climate conversation, these books offer valuable insights and ideas. They cover topics ranging from the need to re-think our diet through to how to hold on to hope as we navigate the challenges of climate change.

Find inspiration and build on your climate knowledge by adding these six books to your summer reading list.

1. Plate to Planet by Louis De Jaeger

 Plate to Planet by Louis De Jaeger

Interested in the changes we could make to our diets and agricultural systems to overcome health problems, climate change and environmental degradation? Belgian Pact Ambassador Louis De Jaeger breaks down the complex agricultural issues we are up against in Plate to Planet, original title, ‘We eten ons dood’, available to read in Dutch.

Louis has made sure his book is accessible even to young readers as he explores critical concepts such as the soil-gut connection and the importance of trees as a crucial cooling mechanism in agriculture. He also highlights the current farming methods that are exacerbating climate change, such as ploughing the land, which releases massive amounts of carbon from the soil into the atmosphere.

Readers will learn about sustainable and healthy eating habits, empowering them to make changes that benefit both their well-being and the planet,” Louis tells us.

In his opinion, understanding the connection between food, health and sustainability can lead to more conscious decisions that improve quality of life and environmental conditions.

“I’ve written a manual on how and why we need to do certain things – now it is up to you to do the action and be the change.”

2. Approaching the debate on: climate change, ecological crisis and sustainability

Approaching the debate on: climate change, ecological crisis and sustainability

A friendship built on a deep passion for climate and environmental activism led Pact Ambassadors Miguel Luis Lapeña Cregenzán and Rosmel Rodríguez Barroso to write a book helping everyone to understand the complex, urgent realities of climate change. Together, they set out to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded perspective on crucial issues for the future of our societies.

 Approaching the debate on: climate change, ecological crisis and sustainability, available to read in Spanish and English, aims to inform and inspire readers to get involved in discussions and actions to mitigate the ecological crisis and be part of the solution.

“This book is designed to be an inspiring gateway for all those who wish to delve into the debates and concepts surrounding the ecological crisis and sustainability,” Rosmel explains.

“Through its pages, readers will be able to develop a deep understanding of current environmental challenges and sustainability strategies, equipping them to become agents of change.”

3. Exit Strategy Climate Currency, Reaching our Climate Target with Personal Emissions Budgets by Angela and Jens Hanson

Exit Strategy Climate Currency, Reaching our Climate Target with Personal Emissions Budgets by Angela and Jens Hanson

Our next summer recommendation is a book by German Pact Ambassador Angela Hanson and her husband Jens Hanson who present an innovative economic solution to the climate crisis in Exit Strategy Climate Currency, Reaching our Climate Target with Personal Emissions Budgets, available to read in German.

When the Hansons heard a call for the government to take climate action, they asked themselves how they could help solve the problem.

Their research resulted in them writing a book in which they describe a revolutionary climate currency model based on the principles of sustainability and climate protection, which they believe can boost confidence in a more climate-friendly future. Readers are encouraged to think about their own carbon footprint and will learn how a personal budgeting method can help them reduce it.

“Everyone pollutes the atmosphere with their CO2 emissions, so why not simply distribute the remaining possible emissions to every single citizen?” Angela recalls.

“We take our readers on a journey to a sustainable economy in which climate and ecological action becomes the norm. The book is for those looking for new ideas and are interested in climate and environmental protection, system change, as well as social justice.”

“Our hope is that the book will trigger a social tipping point to bring about a systemic change in climate policy. It was very important to me that we sensitise society to the consequences of unchecked global warming, because many people are still not aware of the extent to which we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all areas of life.  Our current system has made the current situation possible. The important thing now is to see how we can get out of it together without leaving anyone behind.”

4. Menstruation from A to Z by Vera Markova

Menstruation from A to Z by Vera Markova

Switching to a completely different topic, our fourth recommendation is all about a well-known part of the climate and environmental crises – plastic pollution. But Bulgarian Pact Ambassador Vera Markova is determined to tackle this in another less-talked about area, the menstrual product industry.

After years of struggling with endometriosis and ovarian cysts herself, Vera started researching the impact of different menstrual products on people’s health, as well as on the planet and the development of menstrual products from the 20th century until today. Now, she believes her book Menstruation from A to Z, available to read in Bulgarian, holds the key to solving period poverty, while providing insightful solutions for reducing waste.

“The average menstruator menstruates for around 38 years of their life and uses around 11,000 disposable pads or tampons. If these were stacked on top of each other, they’d create a structure 1.6 kilometres high, the equivalent of five Eiffel Towers.” (OrganiCup/AllMatters, 2018)

“And this is just the amount for one person. Now, let’s imagine what happens when the disposable waste of a billion menstruators gets stacked together…”

The guide educates readers on sustainable alternatives such as reusable pads, menstrual cups, period pants and swimwear, and how they can help reduce and even prevent waste washing up on the seashores. To support her case, she is also calling for a VAT reduction on menstrual products in Bulgaria to make sustainable options more affordable.

5. Het doet ertoe by Jan Mertens

Het doet ertoe by Jan Mertens

If you’ve ever struggled to feel optimistic about the future of the climate, the next book on our list could help.

Jan Mertens’ Het doet ertoe, available to read in Dutch, examines the less talked about challenges of climate change, specifically  our emotions. During his 40 years of activism, there have been times Jan has found it hard to keep fighting.

He uses his experiences to talk readers through dealing with climate change fatigue and how to stay energised and manage emotions to help create a more sustainable world.

In English, the title of his book translates to ‘It matters: Grief, hope, and resistance’, and goes on to say ‘it’s not too late, it’s never too late, everything you do matters’.

“Lots of people feel intense climate emotions, but we speak little about it with each other. It is important that we talk about it and take it seriously,” he reflects.

Before publishing, Jan asked Pact Ambassador Simon Sterck to write the preface. “I read it in one sitting,” Simon recalls. “It captures complex emotions and ideas with remarkable clarity. Jan’s book is essential reading for anyone involved in climate justice, European Climate Pact Ambassadors included, and for those who sometimes feel disheartened in their activism.”

6. Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe, edited by Jos Delbeke

Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe, edited by Jos Delbeke

Meanwhile, Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe, available in English, summarises the achievements of 25 years of EU climate policy, with an emphasis on what has been achieved under the European Green Deal. It also highlights climate issues on the table of policymakers in the next European policy cycle 2024–2029.

Curated by Jos Delbeke, former Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Climate Action and one of the foremost experts in this field, the chapters are all written by Commission officials working on the policies.

Written as a follow-up to previous publications EU Climate Policy Explained and Towards a Climate-Neutral Europe, this new volume aims to be a useful resource for students, scholars and policymakers interested in climate change, environmental governance and EU policy. The book is available for a free PDF download.

Happy reading!

If you find yourself inspired by these books and are ready to take action as our Pact Ambassadors have, you can find climate activity ideas and more examples of local action in our article ‘Ready to take your climate action a step further? Here’s how’.

Details

Publication date
19 July 2024
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action