Looking to beef up your knowledge and get inspired on clean energy and climate this summer? We’ve got you.
Whether you’re tanning poolside this summer, finally hiking the Appalachian Trail, or lounging in a hammock between two palms, we’ve compiled a list of books that might suit your fancy—right from the bookshelves of the Gen180 team.
Author’s note: Wondering what the most climate-friendly way to get these books is? Skip the two-day shipping shortcut (it might be nice for you, but not the planet,) and support a local bookstore. Prefer to find your books online? Check out Bookshop, which gives readers the convenience of online shopping while supporting independent bookstores at the same time.
Jamie’s Pick: The Carbon Almanac, by Seth Godin et al.
Like any good book, it has to tell a good story, and what better one than the one we’re currently living in? The Carbon Almanac is presented in the same format of any other almanac, but also has an air of “choose your own adventure” to it. Readers can both learn about the chemistry of carbon and enjoy the beautiful illustrations of our (not so) impending doom. The book’s message is strong – we can still fix this. Keep reading →
Wendy’s Pick: They Knew: The US Federal Government’s Fifty-Year Role in Causing the Climate Crisis, by James Gustave Speth
Fossil fuel operators have largely been seen as the perpetrators of climate misinformation in an attempt to delay the progression to clean, renewable energy fuels. This new tomb from the legendary climate activist, Gus Speth, points the finger for the delay squarely at the feet of our elected leaders. Arguing that every administration since the 1970s failed to heed the advice of climate scientists, despite being fully aware of the alarming facts, now forces our children to assume the responsibility for the failure of prior generations (Juliana vs. United States). It’s a sobering, and necessary, read to understand why we are where we are today in the climate fight. Keep reading →
Kay’s Pick: Speed and Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now, by John Doerr
Written by one of the world’s most successful hedge fund managers, John Doerr is well versed in what’s contributed to the climate crisis as well as the speed and scale at which it can be fixed. Readers will enjoy first-hand accounts from business heavy-hitters like Bill Gates, Mary Barra, and dignitary Christiana Figueres. There’s a reason this book (released last year) continues to receive rave reviews. It lays out a clear, purposeful, and actionable strategy to solve climate change. Keep reading →
Shakaya’s Pick: The Rewiring America Handbook: A Guide to Winning the Climate Fight, By Saul Griffith, Sam Calisch, and Laura Fraser
This book has been around for a minute, and while we are still a ways off from achieving the “electrify everything” goal, we have made significant progress toward it since this handbook came out in 2020. In what may seem like an inaccessible topic – electrification – the authors suggest tangible and practical solutions to begin to fully electrify your life. That includes harnessing power from renewable, clean sources and divesting from coal and oil once and for all. In Rewiring, there’s no going back to dirty fuels once you’re connected to clean. Keep reading →
Tish’s Pick: Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant
This family-friendly book, set in Morocco, paints a picture of what it’s like for young students to live next to the world’s biggest solar plant and the benefits the facility brings to their local community–and beyond. It’s a fascinating and beautifully told story of how one community can transition to a clean, renewable power source that not only improves their environment, but their quality of life. If you (or your kids) liked this book, check out other books by Allan Drummond, which feature a variety of kid-friendly sustainable community stories to spark the imagination. Keep reading →
