Bath and North East Somerset Libraries

Every day there are news reports that highlight spiralling energy costs, accelerating energy consumption, serious concerns over fuel security and fears that oil production may soon decline. All such reports are set against a background of the most serious threat to the world today – global warming and the devastating impact of climate change.

This informative and wide-ranging book, written by an acknowledged expert, demonstrates how renewable energy technologies can help meet CO2 reduction targets. The author emphasizes that we need to use these technologies on a much wider scale to produce heat and electricity, and argues that if action is taken immediately it could make an enormous difference.

He demonstrates how by installing a renewable energy technology in your home, you will be taking a step towards reducing your carbon footprint and ultimately you will be helping to save the planet.

From our balconies and gardens to our woodlands, national parks and beyond, Back to Nature captures the essence of how we feel about the wildlife outside our windows. Through personal stories, conservation breakthroughs and scientific discoveries, it explores the wonder and the solace of nature, and the ways in which we can connect with it – and protect it.

The Earthshot concept is simple: Urgency + Optimism = Action. We have ten years to turn the tide on the environmental crisis, but we need the world’s best solutions and one shared goal – to save our planet.

It’s not too late, but we need collective action now. The Earthshots are unifying, ambitious goals for our planet which, if achieved by 2030, will improve life for all of us, for the rest of life on Earth, and for generations to come.

Upcycle unwanted clothes, and learn how to restitch them into 20 stylish home accessories and garments. Are you trying to cut down on clothing and fabric waste, but short on ideas of what to do with unwanted garments, bedsheets or curtains?

In a brand-new collaboration between sewing superstar Debbie Shore and her dressmaker-blogger daughter, Kimberley Hind, here are 20 unexpected but amazingly practical, stunning ideas for upcycling and repurposing pre-loved fabrics to make accessories for both you and your home!

What if sustainability didn’t have to be so complicated? ‘365 Ways to Save the Planet’ cuts through the noise and explains exactly how to live a “greener” lifestyle day by day.

With its approachable ideas and achievable daily actions, anyone can up their sustainability score with this bible. Eco warrior Georgina Wilson-Powell breaks down the significance of environmental statistics for issues big and small, and quantifies the difference low effort, high impact changes can make.

In August 2018 a fifteen-year-old Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, decided not to go to school one day. Her actions ended up sparking a global movement for action against the climate crisis, inspiring millions of pupils to go on strike for our planet, forcing governments to listen, and earning her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

This book brings you Greta in her own words, for the first time. Collecting her speeches that have made history across Europe, from the UN to mass street protests, this is a rallying cry for why we must all wake up and fight to protect the living planet, no matter how powerless we feel. Our future depends upon it.

This volume offers more than 100 ideas for you to help wildlife thrive in your garden. Packed with simple, low-cost ideas that will make a huge difference to the natural world, the book suggests ways to help birds, bees, butterflies, beetles and many other declining species.

Hopeful, informative and entertaining, with plenty of ‘I-never-knew-that’ mini-features, this is a book you and your family need, and one that you’ll all enjoy, too.

Recycling has never been more important – but it has also never been more complicated. Where do you put bottle lids? Why can’t black plastic be recycled? What do you do with labels? ‘The Rubbish Book’ answers all these questions and many more, providing you with all the information you need to become a true recycling expert, so you can help protect the planet with confidence.

Written by an award-winning sustainability expert, it includes an A-Z of household items and whether they can be recycled; an in-depth look at the collection and sorting processes; a break-down of what the recycling symbols on our packaging actually mean; and an insight into the future of recycling and the new materials that will change the way we look at rubbish for ever.

A call to action from Jane Fonda, one of the most inspiring activists of our time, urging us to wake up to the looming disaster of climate change and equipping us with the tools we need to join her in protest

Our climate is in a crisis. 2019 saw atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases hit the highest level ever recorded in human history, and our window of opportunity to avoid disaster is quickly closing.

In the autumn of 2019, frustrated with the inaction of politicians, Jane Fonda moved to Washington, D.C. to lead weekly climate change demonstrations – dubbed Fire Drill Fridays – on Capitol Hill. There, she led thousands of people in non-violent civil disobedience, risking arrest to protest for action.

In What Can I Do?, Fonda’s deeply personal journey as an activist is weaved alongside interviews with leading climate scientists, and discussions of issues, such as water, migration, and human rights, to emphasise what is at stake. Throughout, Fonda provides concrete solutions and actions that everybody can take in order to combat the climate crisis in their community.

The world-renowned naturalist and conservationist Jane Goodall has spent more than a half-century warning of our impact on our planet. From her famous encounters with chimpanzees in the forests of Gombe as a young woman to her tireless campaigning for the environment in her late eighties, Jane has become the godmother to a new generation of climate activists.

In this book, Jane draws on the wisdom of a lifetime dedicated to nature to teach us how to find strength in the face of the climate crisis, and explains why she still has hope for the natural world and for humanity.

In extraordinary conversations with her co-author Doug Abrams that weave together stories from her travels and activism, she offers readers a new understanding of the crisis we face and a compelling path forward for us all to create hope in our own lives and in the world.

Approaching organic gardening can sometimes feel overwhelming. It can be hard enough to keep on top of the weeding without having to worry about using less plastic, avoiding pesticides and using too much water.

Grow Green is a practical guide and tackles a topic close to Jen Chillingsworth’s heart – growing sustainably. Packed with easy tips and advice, this little book reveals how to adjust your outdoor space and create a wildlife haven, while reducing your impact on the environment as you grow your own cut flowers, fruit and veg.

Drawing on her wealth of knowledge, Jen will hold your hand as she takes you through all the gardening essentials, teaching you how to get started – no matter how small or big your space might be. From making your own fertiliser with leftovers, planting in pots, reducing energy consumption and conserving water, to dealing with pests and diseases, Jen removes the stress and simply shows you how to garden green.

Whether you are a first-time gardener or have seasoned green fingers – discover how to get the most out of your space with Grow Green by gardening with intention.

Live simply. Grow Green.

As a parent, getting out of the house with everyone wearing shoes (on a good day) can feel like you’re winning, so adding ‘being green’ to the never-ending to-do list might feel like the thing to bring all your spinning plates crashing to the ground. If that’s the case, then this is the book for you.

Instead you’ll find easy, do-able ideas and suggestions for you to pick and choose from, try out and adapt. Plus bucketfuls of encouragement as you explore what works for you and your family.

No preaching. No judgement. No guilt.

We all want to do our bit for the environment, but it’s hard to know where to begin when the climate crisis we are facing is so massive. The world is heating up at an alarming rate – last year was the joint warmest on record, and the last decade our warmest ever.

If we don’t make changes now, we will reach tipping points where the damage is irreversible – think melting ice caps, rising sea levels, displacement of communities and the extinction of entire species of animals. It’s easy to think that one person’s efforts can’t make much difference.

But in this book, Laura guides us through the simple and often surprising changes we can all make, in a friendly and easy-to-digest style. From singing in the shower as a way to save water to using a compost bin for food waste, we can all do our bit, no matter how small.

You probably know the statistics: global clothing production has roughly doubled in just 15 years, and every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in UK landfill. Fast fashion is the ultimate toxic relationship. It’s bad news for the planet, our brains and our bank balances. We can’t go on like this; our shopping habits need an overhaul.

Journalist Lauren Bravo loves clothes more than anything, but she’s called time on her affair with fast fashion in search of a slower, saner way of dressing. In this book, she’ll help you do the same. ‘How To Break Up With Fast Fashion’ will help you to change your mindset, fall back in love with your wardrobe and embrace more sustainable ways of shopping – from the clothes swap to the charity shop.

Think you’ve waited too long to do something about climate change? Think again. ‘Am I Too Old to Save the Planet?’ explains how America’s most promising generation allowed climate change to become a planetary emergency – and what to do about it now.

A former foreign correspondent and vice president of the World Resources Institute, Lawrence MacDonald shares his journey to becoming a passionate climate activist. Packed with practical advice, his book invites fellow boomers to join the growing global movement to save the planet.

How can we save our planet and survive the 21st century? How can you argue with deniers? How can we create positive change in the midst of the climate crisis? Professor Mark Maslin has the key facts that we need to protect our future. Global awareness of climate change is growing rapidly.

Science has proven that our planet and species are facing a massive environmental crisis. ‘How to Save Our Planet’ is a call to action, guaranteed to equip everyone with the knowledge needed to make change.

This practical book is the ultimate guide to reducing your environmental impact while saving you time and money. Inside are tips and home hacks on everything from eco cleaning, upcycling and making the most out of your weekly shop to small-space gardening and creative crafts, plus a selection of Nancy’s delicious recipes.

Clearly explained, accessible and beautifully illustrated with black and white line-drawings, ‘Green Living Made Easy’ is the perfect guide for anyone looking to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle but unsure where to start.

Not everything has built-in obsolescence – as this fantastically handy guide to fixing everyday objects proves! Whether you need to repair a strap on a favourite handbag or mend a leak in a washing machine, this book is packed full of tips and tricks of the trade for the person who likes to do-it-yourself.

From quick fixes that will get you out of a jam to permanent solutions that make the item good as new, this is perfect for anyone who hates the throwaway society and would much rather refurb and recycle.

This is How the Change Begins is a collection of six illuminating poems inspired by the growing threat of climate change. Including background notes on the themes behind them, each poem has been typographically designed and arranged to best communicate these essential messages.

Something is stirring. People around the world are deciding that the well-being of their community and its economy lies with them. They’re people like you. They’ve had enough, and, rather than waiting for permission, they’re rolling up their sleeves, getting together with friends and neighbours, and doing something about it.

Whether they start small or big, they’re finding that just doing stuff can transform their neighbourhoods and their lives. The Power of Just Doing Stuff argues that this shift represents the seeds of a new economy – the answer to our desperate search for a new way forward – and at its heart is people deciding that change starts with them. Communities worldwide are already modelling a more local economy rooted in place, in well-being, in entrepreneurship, and in creativity. And it works.

Packed with inspiring real-life examples of how to change things, this book ties in with the increasing focus on community action during tough economic times. It will appeal to schools, community groups and campaigners as well as the general public and Transition groups.

From homemade spa-day pamper products to gorgeous homewares, these 40 eco-gifting ideas will show you how to create presents from everyday household items.

Whether you’re eco-conscious and keen to reduce your plastic usage or want to be more sensible with your spending, this gorgeous craft compendium provides step-by-step guides to produce gifts that don’t compromise on design or quality.

Climate change is now a mainstream conversation topic, and yet every week our recycling piles are still overflowing and we’re faced with a steady stream of brands trying to persuade us to buy their eco-friendly products in our quest to live sustainably.

For too long, corporations have shifted the eco-responsibility onto us, the consumers. It’s time to push back and demand change. In this book, Ethical Hour founder Sian Conway-Wood provides practical tips on how to stop consuming, advice on how to see through corporations’ greenwashing, and steps to hold them accountable.

In doing so we can create demand for sustainability in supply chains, and put pressure on decision makers to implement systemic change that puts people and planet above profit.

Create green outdoor spaces no matter how small and see how transformative they can be. Gardener and activist Tayshan Hayden-Smith demonstrates 20 different practical projects you can create to positively change small outdoor spaces and pulls out inspiration from community gardens around the world.

Tayshan’s practical advice is accompanied by easy-to-follow steps and inspiring examples of how simple garden projects – on even the smallest scale and budget – can open the doors to better wellbeing, uniting communities, and reviving natural spaces to help create the greener future we’re all fighting for.

From the green-thumbed optimist who views their garden as a calming getaway to those that see backyard life as more of a struggle against weeds and pests, almost all gardeners will meet a creature or two who will drive them to despair.

Plenty of gardeners are ready to swear off nasty chemical deterrents and bloodthirsty solutions. But how can you save your squash and uphold your hostas at the same time? This book serves up a smorgasbord of eco-friendly ideas and solutions. They’re legal, humane and – best of all – effective.

Cut through the old wives tales, save your salt for seasoning, and discover gold-standard, sustainable planting solutions and crop-saving tips from gardeners who know exactly how you feel.

Join teenage activists Amy and Ella Meek on their mission to cut carbon emissions and educate the world on climate change, perfect for budding eco-warriors. Globally, we cannot afford to put off urgent action any longer, and we’re quickly running out of time before it’s too late to make the changes we need to see to secure our future.

‘Be Climate Clever’ is the fact packed, jargon busting, inspiring follow up to 2020’s ‘Be Plastic Clever’ that tackles climate change and carbon emissions.

Aaarrggh! The planet is in peril. Can you help to fix it with these cool earth-saving tips?

Planet in Peril is the ultra useful, totally indispensable, environmental handbook that no child should be without.

In your Horrible Geography earth-saving handbook, you’ll find out how to stomp on your carbon footprint, discover rubbish ways to watch your waste… and learn how to run a car on dead flies. Armed with earth-saving tips and lots of foul facts, YOU can go green and save the planet!

Water is life! Freshwater bubbles, flows and floods with the most wonderful life on Earth – and all of us rely on it to stay alive. BUT today, because of pollution and climate change, it is becoming more and more difficult for people and animals to find the clean freshwater they need to survive. It’s time to act! 

Water tells the story of freshwater around the world. Discover the history of water, how the water cycle works, learn about the different kinds of water and about the amazing variety of wildlife that freshwater is home to. Then find out what happens to water because of climate change and global heating; the importance of clean water for health; the worldwide problem of water pollution and the devastating impact of water shortage on children’s lives and education. 

Catherine Barr challenges us to take action, to use water wisely and protect freshwater to save our planet.

This environmentally positive book contains everything children need to become guardians of the planet. Kids can learn how to become keepers of the coasts, friends of the forests, home heroes and much more through a mix of compelling facts, creative activities and proactive tips.

Key environmental topics are clearly explained, and the easy-to-follow projects and suggestions help to put the issues in an everyday context. From reusing clothes and composting food to reducing water waste and giving wildlife a helping hand, this book will encourage children to engage with environmental problems and inspire them to take care of our wonderful planet.

This book includes an introduction by ClientEarth, an organization that uses environmental law to protect oceans, forests and other habitats, as well as all people, and a foreword by Brian Eno.

This environment education story follows Tom who is usually driven to school by his mum, but they always get stuck in traffic. At last Tom walks to school, and he learns that walking is better for your health and so much better for the planet. Panels alongside the story explore topics such as pollution and climate change.

‘Good to be Green’ is a series of six environment education books that help children age 6+ explore green issues and find out what they can do to help the planet. Each book features the story of a child who is exploring their world and learning why it’s important to think green.

This is a book about climate change and the actions we can take in preventing it. From its causes and the effects they have on our beautiful planet to the positive changes we can make, young eco enthusiasts will be empowered to help build a better world.

With vibrant artwork from Katie Rewse and engaging text from sustainability adviser Georgina Stevens, Climate Action is a positive guide to the changes, both big and small, that we can make. From forest cities to food-waste apps, there are so many exciting innovations helping us in our quest to save the planet.

What’s more, profiles about the young change-makers creating waves in the environmental movement will inspire kids and show that no-one is too small to make a difference. Inspiring, informative and uplifting, this is the perfect handbook for being the change we want to see.

Discover how YOU can cut stinky fumes, and tread more lightly on the planet. Become an eco-warrior, not an eco-worrier, with 50 practical tips to really make a difference! Our planet is in peril and it needs your help! But the good news is that there are loads of easy ways that you can make a difference.

From lift-sharing to switching body sprays, there are so many things you can do to help fight climate change. Complete with myth-busting boxes and counter arguments to put climate-deniers in their place, this is a one-stop guide to transform eco-worried kids into eco-activists.

The polar bears’ frozen planet is melting and they need our help. They come to Warmland to explain what’s really going wrong. Luckily they find a group of lively, sparky kids who jump into action and draw up a BRILLIANT PLAN.

This positive , fun and informative book provides both a really helpful introduction to climate change and a positive action list for all readers.

When faced with climate change, the biggest threat that our planet has ever confronted, it’s easy to feel as if nothing you do can really make a difference . . . but this book proves that individual people can change the world. With twenty inspirational stories celebrating the pioneering work of a selection of Earth Heroes from all around the globe, from Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to Yin Yuzhen and Isatou Ceesay, each tale is a beacon of hope in the fight for the future of our planet, proving that one person, no matter how small, can make a difference.

Featuring striking illustrations by Jackie Lay, Earth Heroes contains twenty stories, including the following: Mohammed Rezwan, architect behind Bangladesh’s pioneering floating school scheme; Greta Thunberg, Swedish teen striking to raise awareness of climate change; Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski, Australian inventors of the Seabin; Isatou Ceesay, Gambian innovator turning waste into wealth for her community and Stella McCartney, British designer fighting for sustainable fashion.

We all know the effects that climate change and global warming are having on our planet – but what about the strange, and often bizarre ways scientists are working to find practical and imaginative answers to these big problems?

Following a day in the life of a child, we see how these inventions could fit into everyday life, from brushing your teeth with biodegradable algae, to eating beetle burgers for lunch and coming home to do your homework with a pen containing ink made from exhaust fumes.

With a mixture of infographic-style artwork and topical, funny and expertly researched facts, children will love seeing familiar scenes with a futuristic twist, teaching them all about the cool, exciting and sometimes quite strange inventions that could be common in the not-so-distant future.

The world’s climate has always been changing, but climate change in the past has been mostly gradual, with some rapid events. Today’s warming is relatively sudden and rapid, and linked to the way in which humans are treating the planet they live on.

This matters because the future of life on Earth, no less, depends on our understanding of the problem and the actions we take. This book will explore these important topics in a balanced and objective way, encouraging readers to adopt a questioning approach to the issues surrounding climate change.

‘Fair Trade First’ explores what fair trade is, how it helps people and why we should all support it. It explores fair trade products, from bananas to footballs, and where and how they are made, bringing the processes to life with carefully selected case studies and quotes from farmers and producers who have been helped by the Fairtrade Foundation.

As a topic, it ties in with themes that really resonate today, such as conscious consumerism, product sustainability and climate change. The book also contains practical suggestions for how readers can help support fair trade initiatives, as well as some fun recipes to try at home.

The story of Greta Thunberg, the schoolgirl who inspired a worldwide climate change movement.

It’s 20 August 2018, late summer in Stockholm, and it feels incredibly hot in the city. The TV news reports rising temperatures, and there have been numerous fires throughout Sweden. Fifteen-year-old Greta Thunberg decides she can’t wait any longer: politicians have to do something to save the environment. Instead of returning to school, Greta takes a placard and goes on strike in front of Sweden’s parliament building.

Greta’s protest began the Fridays for Future – or School Strike 4 Climate – movement, which millions have now joined around the world. Greta has spoken at COP24, the UN summit on climate change, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is her story, but also that of many other children around the world willing to fight against the indifference of the powerful for a better future.