8 Sustainability + Self-Taught Books To Inspire Change
And make an impact.
Photo by Sincerely Media
Originally published on Medium.
Happy Holidays! While editing podcasts and finishing these blogs for you and all of us to keep our spirits Up during lockdown (for most of us in North America and Europe), positive change, joy and embrace this amazing energy from Saturn and Jupiter conjunction from our homes!
It’s rare that I would be taking Christmas eve to work ( — with a glass of wine listing and dancing to our new queen DJ Karaba from Montreal) and I did take two days off (firsts from this entire year) before these blogs, podcast and release some YouTube blog love. Enjoy!
I wanted to leave you with some things to think about before we go deeper into lockdown. I really believe in the power of praying and manifesting through dancing or writing. Those who are suffering from any mental illness during this time. I highly encourage you to create spaces or moments where you can pray, dance, or write (journal) your feelings and reach within. At the same time, reach your loved ones and keep in contact with your family or friends. Remember, you are not alone.
It has helped to build these on a daily routine, along with work this year. Which is why tomorrow I’ll be off to enjoy time with my fam jam. Being more mindful and aware has created a balance that is working progress; as a fellow human, mama, creative, and scientist being. Because we humans are evolving imperfect creatures, trying to do good and some do more than others. And others don’t do anything at all, and that’s where it gets messy. Be patient with yourself, not everybody has your heart and that is your superpower.
Even if this internalized capitalism, ableists, and fascist algorithm now make you believe otherwise. Don’t let it. Watch the matrix if you need further info. I hope this little holiday tipsy — I mean Tips and blogs plus podcast episodes help you in some way.
I’m learning about spirituality and consciousness through books, meditation, daily yoga practices, and writing every day. These are things that require their own time and space. Learning to embrace the unknown and keep an open mind plus learn through the process is part of human life experiences.
Here are some books to read and keep ourselves educated and share with others what we have learned. This is active and collective learning. So if you have more books that you think we should add to this list. Please share and let’s start a book club of eco-warriors 🤷🏽♀️ who love to read? You know, work on our bias, anti-racism education is work and you know hold others accountable. I included. ❤️ Let’s read these books and let’s start a new trend. “Support Writers and Creative” by after we get their book or art we share on social and encouraging others to get it too 😃👏🏾.
Same thing with small and local businesses. They need help, and we can help. A lot of small local businesses are closed. However, leaving a google review or tipping extra when ordering through Uber can help a family during these times. Be mindful of your actions, and let’s continue to help and amplify women of color, educate girls and normalize equity and greener, sustainable spaces!
1) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Author: William McDonough & Michael Braungart
Did you know that up to 90% of the materials used in traditional manufacturing models end up as waste? This book challenges the way the traditional “cradle to grave” cycle works and envisions a world where we don’t have to harm the natural environment in order to create new products.
Rather than settling for recycling or downcycling, the authors argue for designing products in such a way that, after their useful life, they provide genuine nourishment or life to something new.
2) Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future
Author: Mary Robinson
Too often sustainability and human rights are thought of as separate issues instead of intersecting ones. Climate Justice, written by former President of Ireland and UN Special Envoy, tells stories from all over the world of people who have faced environmental and human rights injustices and then done something about it.
A great read for people who like stories of resilience, this book offers hope for community-based change
3) The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability — Designing for Abundance
Author: William McDonough & Michael Braungart
The Upcycle is William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s follow-up to Cradle to Cradle, one of the most well-respected sustainability books of our time!
Their second book shifts the focus from theory to practice and demonstrates how the cradle-to-cradle approach has fared in real business.
4) Rebuilding Earth: Designing Eco-conscious Habitats for Humans
Author: Teresa Coady
Written by an award-winning Canadian architect, this book is both a call to action and a plan. It starts by tracing how we ended up with our unsustainable concrete jungles, and then it lays out principles and techniques for how to build a better future.
Its highly readable prose is for anyone who wants to be part of, or simply imagine a more natural and sustainably built environment.
5) The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us
Author: Diane Ackerman
This book by Diane Ackerman is celebrated for its unique insight into the natural world and humans’ place in it. The Human Age argues that there is no force more meddlesome or more influential than we are.
Praised as a “beguiling, optimistic engagement with the changes affecting every part of our lives,” this one is should definitely be on your reading list this year.
6) Sustainability for the Rest of Us: Your No-Bullshi*t, Five-Point Plan for Saving the Planet
Author: John Pabon
If you’ve ever asked yourself “but what can I actually do?” — this book is for you. If you’ve said “yes, but I’m only one person” — this book is for you.
This book is for everyone.
Self-described pragmatic altruist John Pabon draws on his years of experience and expertise to tell us what we’ve been doing wrong, what has prevented significant change, and what we should be doing instead.
7) The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win
Author: Jeffrey Hollender & Bill Breen
Championed as a book for “leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents” — this thought-provoking read encourages companies to change their mindset from trying to be “less bad”, to embracing an “all good” philosophy instead.
Drawing on personal experience as the chairman of Seventh Generation, Hollender & Breen also interview some of the biggest and forward-thinking companies in the world to come up with their recipe for creating “good companies”.
8) Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered
Author: E. F. Schumacher
Small is Beautiful is an oldie but a goodie. Originally published in 1973, this book has been a statement on sustainability in its field for decades. And it only gets more relevant every year.
Schumacher argues that the “bigger is better” mentality of industrialism is a damaging one and that if we really care about people we will actively seek a better balance between economic growth and its human cost.
There are more here.
Self- Taught Books
“Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.” ―Morihei Ueshiba
1)The Self-Learning Blueprint: A Strategic Plan to Break Down Complex Topics, Comprehend Deeply, and Teach Yourself Anything
by Peter Hollins
Embarking on anything new is daunting and scary. That’s why you need a blueprint to point you in the right direction and make sure that you are moving forward.
The skill of self-learning is the ability to change your circumstances and get from Point A to Point B.
The Self-Learning Blueprint is the compass that will get you to Point B. Numerous scientifically-proven techniques are covered, as well as an overarching set of plans to ensure that you synthesize and truly understand new information.
2) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
by Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins (Foreword, Contributor)
The 7 Habits have become famous and are integrated into everyday thinking by millions and millions of people. Why? Because they work!
With the many takeaways on how the habits can be used in our modern age, the wisdom of the 7 Habits will be refreshed for a new generation of leaders.
3) Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor
by Layla F. Saad
Layla Saad is a globally respected writer, speaker, and podcast host on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation, and social change.
As an East African, Arab, British, Black, Muslim woman who was born and grew up in the West, and lives in the Middle East, Layla has always sat at a unique intersection of identities from which she is able to draw rich and intriguing perspectives. Layla’s work is driven by her powerful desire to ‘become a good ancestor’; to live and work in ways that leave a legacy of healing and liberation for those who will come after she is gone.
4) The Power of Neuroplasticity
By Shad Helmstetter Ph. D.
In “The Power of Neuroplasticity,” Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D., presents the scientific discovery that the thoughts we think physically rewire and reshape our brains and change our lives.
5) Projections, Expectations, Separations, Judgments & Rejections
By Gary M. Douglas
Gary Douglas, in conversation with participants in a life-changing Access Consciousness(R) class, describes what projections, expectations, separations, judgments, and rejections are, the way they destroy you, your life, and your relationships, and how to get free of them and be everything you are.
As class participants ask questions about money, business, work, love, sex, bodies, parents, family, and kids, Gary offers lively stories, provocative questions, and amazingly effective tools, and clearings that will enable you to clearly see what is in front of you and to change anything in your life.
6) Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking
By Barrie Davenport & S J Scott
Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Struggling with anxiety about your daily tasks? Or do you want to stop worrying about life?
The truth is…We all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle.
The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more “space” in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness. With these habits, you’ll have the clarity to prioritize what’s most important in your life, what no longer serves your goals, and how you want to live on a daily basis.
7) Minimalism and Decluttering Discover the secrets on How to live a meaningful life and Declutter your Home, Budget, Mind, and Life with the Minimalist.
By Alexandra Jessen
If you want to learn the secret practical strategies to living the Minimalist life and decluttering your home Your way then this book is for ya!
8) Mindfulness: How to Create Inner Peace, Happiness, and Declutter Your Mind
By David Clark.
Empower Yourself Through Living In the Present Moment and Letting Go With Mindfulness
Modern society is filled with distractions such as e-mails, Facebook, Instagram, texting, and endless information overload. Technology has us constantly connected to itself and others, rarely giving us a chance to be alone with our own thoughts. It is of no surprise that stress, anxiety, and depression are rising rapidly in our society that seems soo technologically connected but yet we are greatly disconnected from our deeper self. This book will definitely help with the transition of decolonizing these systems and be kind to yourself while you deal with difficult situations.
Hope these help! Time to pick one of these great books on sustainability and self-taught to get started during the lockdown. Let’s keep our mind sharp before we go through 2021. ❤
Imagine how much better the world would be if everyone read even one of these books and took its lessons to heart. Yep! The future is female and it starts with yourself and spreading conscious actions!
Be kind to your planet, to you and others.
Love and Light,
_AO.
If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone who needs to read this today.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at writersyep.com. (The new website is almost ready to go live soon! we had to pivot our entire business model because of covid-19. Stay tuned!).
★ Support us on BookShop by reading :) and help other bookstores too!
Currently reading :
Follow @angiem_ao and @your_story_matters Podcast ❤ You can view and read the journey: IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD
All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©
