If you’re looking for the best sustainable living books, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will share our top 10 picks for eco-friendly reads. Whether you’re just starting out on your journey to sustainability or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone in these books. So dive in and find your new favorite read!

7 Best Sustainable Living Books

1 . 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg

Kathryn Kellogg’s book, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, is the best sustainable living book you will ever read. In it, Kellogg provides clear and actionable advice on how to reduce your waste footprint, without making drastic changes to your lifestyle.

One of our favorite tips is to start a compost bin; not only does this reduce the amount of organic waste that goes to landfill, but it also provides rich nutrients for your garden. Other great tips include switching to reusable menstrual products, carrying a reusable water bottle, and refusing single-use plastic bags when shopping.

By following Kellogg’s simple tips, you can make a big impact in reducing your waste footprint. 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste is an essential read for anyone interested in sustainable living.

2 . Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp

The book chronicles the family’s adventures of living a year on their farm in rural Virginia, eating only food that they grew or raised themselves. The book was written as a means of educating people about the importance of sustainable living and the many benefits that it can have on both the environment and our health.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is widely considered to be one of the best books about sustainable living, and it has inspired many people to make changes in their own lives.

3 . Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson

In her book Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson shares her family’s journey towards a waste-free lifestyle. Johnson provides readers with practical tips for reducing their reliance on disposables, composting, and shopping second-hand.

She also discusses the benefits of a zero-waste lifestyle, including less clutter, less pollution, and more family time. While some of her suggestions may seem daunting at first, Johnson’s clear and concise writing makes it easy to see how anyone can live a more sustainable life.

Whether you’re interested in reducing your environmental impact or simply decluttering your home, Zero Waste Home is an essential read.

4 . The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide by Jen Gale

Looking to live a more sustainable life, but not sure where to start? Go and look out for The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide by Jen Gale. This comprehensive guide covers everything from energy use and transportation to food and consumer goods.

Gale provides readers with practical tips for making more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. Perhaps best of all, she recognizes that sustainability is a journey, not a destination and that perfection is not the goal.

As she says, “sustainable living is about doing the best we can with what we have.” If you’re looking for a Best Sustainable Living Book to help you live a more sustainable life, look no further than The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide.

5 . How Bad Are Bananas by Mike Berners-Lee

In “How Bad Are Bananas?”, Mike Berners-Lee tackles the pressing issue of sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.

Through a mix of humor and serious inquiry, Berners-Lee covers a wide range of topics, from the carbon footprint of our food to the environmental impact of different forms of transportation. His focus on bananas is particularly illuminating, as he delves into the many factors that contribute to the fruit’s environmental impact.

While “How Bad Are Bananas?” is not always an uncomplicated read, it is an important and necessary one. As we continue to grapple with the issue of sustainability, books like this one will help to raise awareness and spur action.

6 . Plastic Purge by Michael SanClements

In his book Plastic Purge, Michael SanClements set out to be plastic-free for one year and chronicle his experiences. What started as an experiment quickly became a way of life for SanClements, who found that giving up plastic not only helped the environment but also improved his health and overall well-being. 

Throughout the course of the book, SanClements provides readers with tips and tricks for reducing their reliance on plastic, as well as inspiring stories of others who have made the switch to a plastic-free lifestyle. By turns informative and motivational, Plastic Purge is essential reading for anyone interested in living a more sustainable life.

7 . Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough

The book offers a comprehensive look at the environmental impact of our everyday choices and provides practical advice for reducing our footprint.

Braungart and McDonough argue that we need to move away from the traditional linear model of “cradle to grave” consumption, and instead, adopt a “cradle to cradle” approach that recycles materials back into the system.

This means designing products that can be reused or recycled indefinitely, without compromising quality or performance. The book provides a detailed roadmap for achieving this vision and is an essential read for anyone interested in sustainability.

Best sustainability books of all time

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by Michael Braungart and William McDonough, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability–Designing for Abundance by Michael Braungart and William McDonough are bestsellers when it comes to the topic of sustainability.

These best sustainable living books offer a comprehensive look at the environmental impact of our everyday choices and provide practical advice for reducing our footprint. If you’re looking to learn more about sustainability and how you can make a difference, these books are a great place to start.

Eco-friendly books

The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide by Jen Gale, Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste by Bea Johnson, and 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg are the best eco-friendly books that provide tips and tricks for reducing your reliance on plastic, as well as inspiring stories of others who have made the switch to a plastic-free lifestyle.

These best sustainable living books will help you live a more sustainable life by reducing your waste.

Top environmental sustainability books

Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough, Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist by Kate Raworth, and Small Is Beautiful by E. F. Schumacher are the top environmental sustainability books that offer a comprehensive look at the environmental impact of our everyday choices and provide practical advice for reducing our footprint.

These best sustainable living books will help you understand the importance of sustainability and how you can make a difference.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re a seasoned sustainability expert or just starting to learn about ways to live more sustainably, these books are sure to offer up new perspectives and helpful tips. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed curating this list for you!

FAQs

1 . Where can I read sustainability?

There are many books that explore the concept of sustainability from different perspectives, offering readers a wealth of information and insights. “Cradle to Cradle” by William McDonough and Michael Braungart is a book about designing products and systems that are environmentally responsible and safe for human health.

“Doughnut Economics” by Kate Raworth is a book about rethinking economics in order to achieve societal goals like zero poverty and zero carbon emissions. “Drawdown” by Paul Hawken is a book about the ways in which we can reverse global warming. 

2 . What are the 4 principles of environmental sustainability?

Sustainability is often discussed in terms of the environment – meaning preserving resources for future generations. However, it actually means four distinct areas: human, social, economic, and environmental – known as the four principles of sustainability.

Each pillar is essential for a sustainable future. The human pillar refers to our need for food, water, shelter, and security. The social pillar includes our need for inclusive societies that provide opportunity and access to services.

The economic pillar refers to our need for a thriving economy that provides jobs and supports businesses. And finally, the environmental pillar – which is often the focus of sustainability discussions – refers to our need to protect natural resources and ecosystems.

All four pillars are essential for a sustainable future. We must address the needs of all people and the planet if we want to create a world that can thrive for generations to come.

3 . What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?

Sustainability is a complex issue that requires us to take into account a wide range of environmental, social, and economic factors. One way of understanding sustainability is to think of it as consisting of three pillars: economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity.

In order to be economically viable, a project or activity must generate enough revenue to cover its costs. This means that it must be able to attract investment and generate jobs. To be environmentally sustainable, a project or activity must have minimal impact on our natural resources and ecosystems.

And finally, to be socially sustainable, a project or activity must improve the well-being of all members of society, not just those in positions of power. By taking all three pillars into account, we can ensure that our actions today do not jeopardize the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

4 . What are the 7 principles of sustainable living?

One key principle is effective land use and wildlife protection. This means using land in a way that doesn’t damage ecosystems or deplete natural resources. Another principle is sustainable water usage, which means conserving water and using it efficiently to minimize the impact on freshwater sources.

Other important principles include supporting local and organic foods, using sustainable materials, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels through the use of sustainable transport. 

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