Books about Sustainability - Brown Living™

Explore the world of sustainability with these top book picks from Brown Living. From eco-conscious living to sustainable fashion, there's something for everyone.

If you practice or are trying to switch to a low-waste, planet-positive lifestyle, you already know that there is more than one ‘right way’ to do things. Reading is one of the best ways to understand and adopt new methods of sustainability into your daily life.

This list of best-sellers by various experts in the field of sustainability will help you gain practical knowledge as well as acquaint you with the ground reality in different parts of the world. 

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard

A great read for beginners, this book talks about the environmental impact of manufacturing the things we use. It covers aspects of toxic chemicals, water pollution, deforestation, plastic, and carbon emissions. This book is ideal for teens, readers new to the subject, or those tired of the scientifically focused writing of many environmental books.

Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough

Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough

This book talks about the way most products have been designed to end up in landfills. The authors suggest that we should design items to continuously be reused, repurposed, and recaptured. They guide the readers through real-world examples of this in various industries.

Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson (@zerowastehome)

Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson

This book is one of the most popular works on the zero-waste movement and is often referred to as the 'Bible of Zero-waste living.'The author talks about being zero-waste at home, office, and during travel. Each section provides information and also suggests homemade alternatives.

101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg (@going.zero.waste)

101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellog

The book covers a lot of areas of our life such as kitchen, cooking, etc, and is an easy read for beginners. It does not contain much scientific jargon and focuses on behavioral changes.

No Impact Man by Colin Beavan 

No Impact Man by Colin Beavan

A fun take on living a carbon-neutral life in the city, the author talks about trying to live without impacting the planet across a period of one year. It is an inspiring story with a strong message to readers- Find a balance.

Losing Earth: A Recent History by Nathaniel Rich

Losing Earth: A Recent History by Nathaniel Rich

This book focuses on the climate change actions taken (such as Kyoto Protocol) in the past 50 years and their impact so far.

This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein 

This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein

We are constantly told that the problem can be fixed by consuming "greener", but not necessarily told to consume less. In this book, the author reveals that it is the systems of capitalism that stand in the way of tackling the climate crisis.

The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell

The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell

The author focuses on the direct impact of climate change on rising sea levels. Readers are told about the places that are most likely to be impacted and what it means for the people of such areas. He also addresses the economic impact of this, and the steps being taken.

The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells 

The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells

This book focuses on the impact of global warming on our lives. The author writes about the effects of carbon dioxide on our cognitive skills, rates of pollution killing people, how droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes will badger our lands, and how sea waters will rise.

Garbology by Edward Humes

Garbology by Edward Humes

This book addresses concerns regarding waste management and the impact on our landfills. For example: Did you know archaeologists have begun digging down into closed landfills to analyze what is decomposing and what is not? If you are clueless about waste management, this book is a great one to start with. 

(IM)Perfectly Zero Waste by Srini and Shubhashree

(Im)perfectly zero waste could be one's way to a more earth-friendly life, from hosting zero-waste events to making small zero-waste changes around your home, the book has got you covered. Filled with DIYs on reducing waste and easily doable tips, it helps the reader realize that little steps can make a huge difference in managing the growing waste crisis.

The Everyday Eco-Warrior by Srini and Shubhashree

The Everyday Eco-Warrior is a collection of 110 super easy guidelines from zero-waste practitioners Srini and Shubhashree. The book talks about how there is no one correct way to live sustainably and helps the reader find the best sustainable practices suited to them. It will not only help the planet but will also be pocket-friendly in the long run!

 

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Let’s strive to grow together, enable large-scale sustainability & work towards the collective dream of a greener planet! 

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