There are many sources of information, some more than mere information, some which could give you close-to-actual-experience kind of a feeling. I’ve listed media i’ve found useful and interesting so others could also benefit. If you’ve found any book or movie related to the subject interesting, ps feel free to leave a comment behind.
Books:
1. The One Straw Revolution – M. Fukuoka
One of the greatest books ever, he describes what he calls – natural farming/ no touch farming. It primes a process of questioning, which is the basic step towards understanding the truth. Beautifully yet simple worded, he describes his life and his persistence with natural farming and why he believes it is the solution to all problems in the world. One may not be able to immediately agree with or appreciate whatever he says but with time it would all seem to make sense. The philosophies and the scientific evidence he gives in the book are amazing. Highly recommended for everyone.
2. The Limits to Growth – Club of Rome
This book was written in the early 1970s after the environmental movement began. The authors were renouned professors and development experts from renouned universities like the MIT, who studied the trends of growth patterns, consumption patterns and environmental impact of each of these and came up with startling conclusions on what could be expected if these trends continue. The book is both technical and philosopical. It is rich with graphs and tables on the findings but the interpretations and conclusions are the highpoints of this great book.
3. Silent Spring: Rachel Carson – 1962
Believed by many to be the initiator of the modern wave of environmentalism, this book is a landmark publication which attempts to unite science, ecology and inter-dependence. With detailed research, Carson goes on to prove without doubt about the terrific dangers of using chemicals in agriculture and industrial processes. With the research to support her claims she also explains how chemicals may completely alter the course of all the life-forms on the planet through mutations, cancers and endocrine disruption.
4. Anil Agarwal Readers vol. 1,2 and 3 ( Former director of CSE India)
These books are a collection of articles which Anil Agarwal (died in 2002), had written in a column for the Economic Times in the early 90s. They reflect issues on environment, economics, development and politics. Absolutely brilliant views, great reasoning, and give more-or-less permanent solutions to current environmental and sociological problems. He was actively involved in several public meetings with top Government officials but his advice and reasoning mostly fell on deaf ears.
5. Caterpillar and the Mahua Flower – Tremors in India’s Mining Fields
A book that woke me up to reality. Reveals the reality of the situation in our own backyards. The power of the corporate and mining lobby, the government’s handicap and the destruction of the environment and livelihoods of poor people has been shown with vivid details.
6. Gaia – A New Look at Life on Earth – J E Lovelock
This book was a scientific and a philosophical expression of looking at the earth, the biosphere more specifically, as an organism by itself. There are several vital organs and important processes that are responsible for the conditions as they are on earth. Any disturbances to these processes can lead to a lot of changes to the conditions on earth and hence affect life. Through the last several millenia, life itself has caused dramatic changes to the biosphere….the appearance of oxygen, for example. Therefore there is a process of interdependence for life to sustain. The book is very comprehensive and thought provoking. The idea of a living earth can effectively make people more sensitive to the environmental cause.
7. Our Planet Our Health – WHO (1990)
This was an important publication by the World Health Org where they explore the various connections between environment, development, industry, policy, pollution and health and conclude reasonably that a majority of the health problems can be solved if basic needs are met and the environment is protected and preserved. It is now clear that romantic environmental activism is not a very effective tool unfortunately. Hence an alliance between the health groups and the environmental groups is inevitable.
8. Textbook of Environmental Education – R. Rajagopalan (Oxford publications)
The best textbooks I’ve seen till now for environmental education, for students between 1st and 12th standard. The author is a trustee of the Navadarshanam foundation. The book is unlike any textbook I’ve seen. The layout is a conversation between children who actually explore the world and realise the importance of various aspects of the natural world. They understand the interdependence of all living creatures and with nature. They also realise how human presence and activity affects various systems and processes, and how they can work individually and a group to help preserve and protect the world. The one written for undergraduates is called – “Environmental studies – From crisis to cure”, which is a must read.
If there was any book children should read, it’s probably these textbooks.
9. The Roots of Global Warming – Delhi Platform/Hyderabad Platform – December 2008
The sub-title of the book reads: “Are we at the brink of an eco-atastophe?” By the end of the book one will surely get the answer for that question, with more than adequate reasoning. The book deals with greenhouse gases, its production, its fate and its consequences, deals with agriculture and the Indian context, deals with oil and other technological implications and it ends on a grim note. It is a collections of esays on issues of global warming and is an excellent read from the point of view of information and analysis.
10. Ecological visions – 1989 (out of print)
This book is a collection of articles and essays from various environmental activists, scientists and reports, written almost 20 years ago, but have complete relevance even today. But sadly it is out of publication. So I’ll post the passages from this book on the blog whenever time permits. The articles range from discussing concepts, major environmental happenings, harmful technologies, eco-friendly alternatives, practically proven methods, quotes etc.
One particular author caught my attention – Ms. Hazel Henderson. The language and the understanding shown by her writings is captivating. I surely will quote her whenever possible.
11. Hind Swaraj : M K Gandhi – 1908
This is the book that made people describe Gandhi as the greatest anarchist of the 20th century. The book is in the form of a conversation between a confused and hot-blooded youth with Gandhi and through deetailed reasoning Gandhi goes on prove the strength of non-violence in the truest sense. Non-violence in its deepest and holistic sense has been explained here and this is an very important concept to understand.
12. Chaos – James Gleick
This book was written in the 1987 and has the description : “The making of a new science”. Indeed, anyone who reads this book will concur with what Douglas Adams has to say after reading it “It feels like someone just found the switch to the light bulb”. But what I found most interesting about the book was not just the scientific explanation for chaos, dynamic systems or geometry of nature(which themselves make a fascinating read, with humourous overtones); but it was the fact that how we become restricted by our foundations in our thinking and the way we look at the world. The sciences we are taught in our schools forms our foundations and it would be difficult to think outside the box with that background. That’s why it is the foundation that one should work at, as everything else gets built on it. As is said in a line in the book “Over time, physists have learnt how to ignore chaos”. This can be generalised to the public and the government regarding many issues including the environment.
13. The Paradox of Environmentalism – Illinois Symposium 1983
This is the book that took me to the deepest of depths in understanding the situation . It dwells into history of the environmental movement in a very critical way, they discuss the change in ideology and objectives over the decades, then they discuss the role of media in informing and misinforming the public and finally they discuss “Deep Ecology”. This is a concept of paramount importance and I will discuss soon in a post.
14. The Origin of Species – Charles Darwin 1959
This work of Darwin has been regarded as one of the most important works of science and literature in human history. The book, needless to say, is great. As a student of science, I had expected this book to be about the detailed evidence to support the theory of evolution by natural selection. What I got from this book was much more than that. It is difficult for us to imagine the circumstances under which this theory came out. Most scientists of the age still believed that species were created by God and were immutable. Several objections were raised from all quadrants. Darwin, through extremely rigorous research, collected information from all parts of the world, from scientists involved in the subjects of biology, geology, geography and animal husbandry. One is left so inspired at the end of the book – of Darwin, for his pursuit of information, his brilliance and courage; and of the theory which re-iterates the fact of unity of life. It is definitely a must read for all students of science, and will be most enjoyed by those above the age of 16.
Movies/Videos:
1. Story of stuff – Annie Leonard
This video is available at www.storyofstuff.com . It is a brilliant video which takes you through the actual journey of the stuff we buy at our local store, and what it’s fate is after we dispose it, through animation. It is just 15 minutes long but a must watch, because everyone is a consumer. This video is the improvization of a powerpoint presentation which she had made earlier.
2. Earthlings
Coming face to face with violence is not something people want to do; even though they don’t mind being part of it if it doesn’t happen in front of their eyes. Commentary given by Joaquin Phoenix, this movie takes us on a disturbing journey which showcases the horrors taking place regularly in our world, things that don’t happen in front of our eyes, but things we should know about, because only when we see and only when we know can we make an informed decision and protest the wrongs. Violence is given a new definition through the realities shown in this movie.
3. The World According to Monsanto
This is a brilliant documentary made through rigorous research, and it is about the science and politics of the agro-research company Monsanto. The documentary exposes the kind of politics that goes into allowing genetically modified crops into use. Many professors have been interviewed on the documentary to give their opinions on the safety of GMOs. It is a must see for one and all.
4. Pocahontas – animated
This is a classic story known to many. But if you get the chance to see the movie or read the book again, focus on the contrast between the Red Indian ideology on life and development and the European’s views on the same subject. It has been portrayed in a simple yet beautiful form. This movie can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
(More to be added)
