Credit: Meghan Beery | Senior Lantern Reporter
Down to Earth is a monthly column that delves into sustainable living.
This year has kicked off with some serious climate challenges. The High Plains and mid-Atlantic areas are dealing with harsh winter storms. Meanwhile, California is facing wildfires and fierce winds causing extensive damage. To top it off, 2024 has been marked as NASA’s hottest year on record.
If these headlines leave you feeling overwhelmed, consider reading some insightful books that explore our complex relationship with the environment. These selections highlight key themes such as water use, Indigenous wisdom, and the impact of misinformation.
“Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River” by David Owen
In this 2017 book, journalist David Owen takes us on a journey along the Colorado River, tracing its source in the Rocky Mountains to where it dries up near the Gulf of California. The river has been shrinking over time as people divert its water for farming, industry, and other uses.
Owen mixes personal travel stories with insights from specialists to discuss the complexities of water conservation. While he offers simple-sounding solutions, he shows that the situation is tangled in aging infrastructure and legal agreements.
Page count: 288
“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This 2013 book by botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, who is also a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, explores what we can learn from nature. Kimmerer raises an important question: What can humans learn from plants, animals, and ecosystems?
She contrasts the Western idea of conquering nature with Indigenous perspectives that view humans as part of a larger community of creation. Kimmerer emphasizes that by observing the natural world — like how pecan trees synchronize their fruiting — we can gain valuable lessons in unity and interconnectedness.
Page count: 408
“Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming” by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway
Shifting gears, “Merchants of Doubt” uncovers the efforts of certain scientists to mislead the public for decades. Authors Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway trace the history of this group, highlighting their actions, from denying the link between cigarette smoke and cancer to casting doubt on climate change findings.
Over 40 years, these experts used their connections to challenge established science, manipulating uncertainty for their benefit. One tobacco executive famously states, “Doubt is our product.”
Page Count: 368
These books offer diverse perspectives on the good, the bad, and the ugly of our interaction with the environment. They remind us that despite the challenges our planet faces, there are many ways we can learn to live in harmony with nature.
Check out this related article: Unveiling the Environmental Impact of Generative AI: What You Need to Know!
Source linkDown to Earth, Down to Earth column, environmental column, Meghan Beery, David Owen, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Naomi Oreskes, Erik Conway, NASA, Indigenous, native traditions, Where the water goes, Braiding sweetgrass, Merchants of doubt, California, climate, environment
