The Books That Made Me Think Differently in 2023 - Part 2: Planet

The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, by Jeff Goodell

Have you ever wondered, publicly or privately, what is the big deal with 1.5-2 degrees of warming in the grand scheme of things? If yes, then this book is for you. Jeff Goodell, a journalist and climate expert, exposes the devastating effects of extreme heat on our environment, our health, and our society. He does so in a very engaging way, through personal stories and interviews with people around the world, from California to India. He also offers hope and solutions, showing how we can adapt to the new reality and reduce our carbon emissions.

Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment , by Maxine Bedat

This book challenged me, as it showed me how much I didn’t know about the clothes I wear and the people who make them. It’s follows the life and death of a pair of jeans, from the cotton farm to the landfill, and exposes the environmental and social impacts of the fast fashion industry. It will make you rethink your wardrobe for the better and look a lot more at the tags before buying!

It's Not Just You , by Tori Tsui

This is a comforting and energizing book for anyone who's ever felt "eco-anxious". The message is that you're not alone, in your feelings, but also in your ability to respond and act, because taking action with a community is the best way to turn that anxiety into active hope. My biggest take-away is on the definition of eco-anxiety itself: while identified as a disorder, it's actually the most natural response to the climate crisis! ?? The real disorders? Eco-blindness, eco-denial, and so many more. ???? We shouldn't be asking why some of us are anxious. We should be asking why some of us aren't!

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants , by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This book is a beautiful and profound blend of indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge, woven together by the author’s love and respect for plants. Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, shares her personal and professional journey of learning from the natural world, and invites us to do the same. She reveals the gifts and lessons that plants offer us, such as gratitude, reciprocity, healing, and resilience. She also challenges us to rethink our relationship with the earth, and to embrace our responsibility as caretakers of the living community. "Braiding Sweetgrass" will enrich your mind, heart, and spirit, and inspire you to live in harmony with nature.

What I'm reading now: The Deluge, by Stephen Markley: I'm only 15% through, but this is already promising to be an epic story. This is a fiction describing the lives of six different characters as they navigate a climate catastrophe in the near future.