7 Books to Celebrate Earth Day

Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet, by Michael Bloomberg and Carl Pope
Michael Bloomberg is one of those billionaires who has tried to leverage his wealth to accomplish something meaningful, and he brings his specific expertise—gained as mayor of New York City—to a book focused on how cities and other local authorities can pursue environmentally sane policies. Joining Bloomberg is former Chairman of the Sierra Club Carl Pope. The book is perfectly timed for a moment in American politics when federal budgets are on the chopping block, leaving cities and states to fend for themselves on a wide range of issues. This is a practical book with big small-scale ideas, filled with surprising information, such as the role that large buildings play in climate change (they’re responsible for 70% of the greenhouse gases generated in cities). If you’re looking to arm yourself with real data for Earth Day, this is the perfect pick.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, by Al Gore
More than a decade ago, former Vice President Al Gore became the public face of climate change with the release of An Inconvenient Truth. In many ways, that film raised the profile of our troubled environment and changed the conversation about climate change and our role in combating it—and yet, very little seems to have actually changed. On Earth Day, in 2017, we argue about the causes of what’s happening to our planet, and Gore’s new book offers data and eye-witness experience that should be compelling to anyone willing to explore the issue. An Inconvenient Sequel builds the case that human beings are the main cause of climate change, then offers concrete steps we can still take to change the course of our shared future. Fuel up your debate machine with information straight from one of the foremost experts on the subject, then wade into the battle for the planet on April 22—and every day after.

Utterly Amazing Earth, by Dorling Kindersley
Appreciating our planet and the climate that allows life to exist begins with understanding it. This entry in the Utterly Amazing series is a perfect introduction for curious young minds. Offering an inside-out overview of the planet’s various components and cycles, its brilliant design includes plenty of interactive aspects—pop-ups, wheels, and pull-tabs engage kids and bring the information to vibrant life. The writing is simple but not simplistic, and a focus on visuals over dry recitation of data makes it the sort of science book kids will enjoy reading and playing with, encouraging young environmental warriors to take that curiosity and hands-on approach with them throughout their life’s journey, to the planet’s benefit.

World Without Fish, by Mark Kurlansky and Frank Stockton
Discussions about climate change sometimes focus too much on pollution and technology, and Kurlansky’s urgent book is the antidote. In high-energy prose and featuring illustrations by Stockton, the book shines a spotlight on the issue of overfishing and the dire consequences it could have for the world. The author argues current policies could result in the loss of several species of fish within decades, which in turn could cause a total collapse of the carefully balanced biosphere in our oceans. A comic demonstrates how this could play out; the result is slimy, dead oceans and global disaster. Visually arresting, energetic, and filled with alarming information, it’s a book no kid can read without becoming something of an activist—just in time for Earth Day.

Where Does the Garbage Go?, by Paul Showers and Randy Chewning
Many of us fail to think about what happens to the stuff we throw away—for many, garbage just magically disappears overnight, never to trouble us again. For kids, this book represents an ideal way to introduce environmental concepts with an interesting exploration of where our garbage goes and what happens to it. Linking what we throw away with the direct consequences in terms of recycling, landfill, and energy use gently teaches children the relationship between our lifestyle, our actions, and the state of the environment. The book perfectly balances complexity with fun, making saving the Earth seem like a grand adventure.

Botanicum, by Kathy Willis and Katie Scott
Humans don’t exist in a vacuum. We live in a sometimes contentious partnership with other animals—and plants. This visually stunning book offers a deep dive into the secret world of plant life, combining incredibly detailed illustrations with incisive commentary, the end result being a world-class introduction to the science of botany. Detailed cutaways demonstrate how various plants work, and the broad scope of the work (beginning with “first plants”) is awe-inspiring enough to encourage any budding botanist to consider making plants part of their lives going forward. Instilling respect for our environment begins with understanding it, and Botanicum is a fun, beautiful way for kids to begin that process.

The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
No Earth Day feels complete without a visit to Dr. Seuss’s classic cautionary tale of environmental mismanagement. The greedy Once-ler discovers the Truffula trees and enthusiastically cuts them down in order to fuel his factory, ignoring the pleas of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees and the animals who depend on the beautiful, balanced environment they anchor. It isn’t until years after he has logged the last tree and totally destroyed the area—until years after the Lorax itself has left, leaving behind the mysterious monument that reads simply “UNLESS”—that the Once-ler sees the error of his ways, giving the last Truffula seed to a young boy and charging him with re-creating what was lost. The Lorax is a powerfully sad lesson that resonates with kids and adults alike, inspiring a more thoughtful approach to our environment.