If you're searching for more great reading, here's a list of books that we're recommending for you to read. Get 'em at the library if you can! (UPDATED!)

2030: Confronting Thermageddon in our Lifetime, by Robert Hunter.

This Greenpeace co-founder produces the scientific evidence for global warming and it's stunning consequences, and the role we all play in it.

A Sand Country Almanac, by Aldo Leopold.

The novel was written in 1947 by Aldo Leopold, who was instrumental in changing both government and public views of the American wilderness. The book traces Leopold's travels and adventures into natural areas, and is infused with his refreshing and respectful perspective on the landscapes around him. It ultimately leaves the reader standing in awe of all of the living things around her.

A Short History of Progress, by Ronald Wright

Based on the Massey Lectures, examines the meaning of progress and its implications on civilizations of the past and present.

 

All Consuming Images: the politics of style in contemporary culture, by Stuart Ewen.

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An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore

Visual book about global warming by former US vice-president and long-time environmental activist Al Gore, based on his Oscar-winning documentary. 

Beyond the Sky and the Earth, a Journey Into Bhutan, by Jamie Zeppa.

Definitely not your average "travel book", this true story gives an eye-opening look into reverse culture shock and Western culture.

Blue Gold, by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke.

Tells the frightening story of the commodification of water and its consequences.

Challenging McWorld, by Tony Clarke and Sarah Dopp.

Details globalization and it's effects in our schools, workplaces, and communities, while also providing tools including activities and workshops for action. 

Collapse, by Jared Diamond

Looks at historical civilizations and why some succeed while others failed.

 

Cradle to Cradle: remaking the way we make things, by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.

A proposal for a re-engineering of product lifecycles into infinitely reusable or biodegradable goods and processes.

Culture Jam: the uncooling of America, by Kalle Lasn.

The founder of Adbusters magazine envisions a revolution to topple the culture of conspicuous consumption.

Development as Freedom, by Amartya Sen.

This Nobel Prize-winning economist restores an ethical dimension to the discussion of economic problems, by challenging traditional economic theories to justify a more aggressive, humane and generous funding formula to benefit the world's poorest nations.

Diet for a New America, by John Robbins.

An examination of the implications of a societial diet reliant on animals, animal products, and factory farming.

Fences and Windows: dispatches from the front lines of the globalization debate, by Naomi Klein.

Short articles offering snapshots of globalization and grassroots political mobilization around the world.

Galapagos: a novel, by Kurt Vonnegut.

A charming yet foreshadowing tale of the fall of self-centered human society

Good News for a Change: hope for a troubled planet, by Holly Dressel and David Suzuki.

Accounts of positive actions being taken to address the environmental crisis.

Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer.

A true story of an experimental quest to discover if 'man' has devolved to the point of being unable to live off the land, cut off from society.

Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn.

An unconventional presentation of global problems through the fictional story of a telepathic gorilla who imparts his perspective.

Jonathon Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach.

A seagull strives to reach his utmost potential and push beyond the expectations of traditional seagull behaviour in this parable of self-realization.

Mad Cowboy: plain truth from the cattle rancher who won't eat meat, by Howard F. Lyman.

A Montana farmer chronicles how his first-hand knowledge of the dairy and beef industry led him to vegetarianism.

Manufacturing Consent: the political economy of the mass media, by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky.

Case studies highlight the interaction of the American government and the mass media and how this interaction controls public perception and access to information.

Me to We: Turning Self Help on its Head, by Marc and Craig Kielburger.

Proposes that the best way to improve the self is through caring for others.

 

Natural Capitalism: creating the next industrial revolution, by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins.

An argument that corporate profitability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with an examination of the already-existing technologies which can sustainably improve quality of life.

No Logo: no space, no choice, no jobs: taking aim at the brand bullies, by Naomi Klein.

Canadian author examines corporate dominance.

Notes from Canada's Young Activists: A Generation Stands Up For Change, by Severn Cullis-Suzuki, Kris Frederickson, Ahmed Kayssi, Cynthia Mackenzie, and Daniel Aldana Cohen

Short essays by 25 of Canada's young activists, including one by your very own, Jessica Lax!

 

Our Ecological Footprint: reducing human impact on the earth, by Mathis Wackernagel and William E. Rees. 

The founders of the ecological footprint concept explain how we can calculate the global ecological impacts of our actions and product choices.

Our Time is Now: Young People Changing the World, by Sheila Kinkade and Christina Macy.

Profiles youths from all around the world who are creating change, including Jess and Joss from The Otesha Project :)

 

Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson

Published in 1962 and served as a wake up call to America on the dangers of pesticide use. Widely credited as a major influence that spurred the environmental movement of the '60s and '70s.

 

Small is Beautiful: economics as if people mattered, by E.F. Schumacher.

A few decades old, but still a classic call for common-sense economics.  An economist rethinks the economic approach with an emphasis on the economy of scale.

Small Wonder, by Barbara Kingsolver.

A series of beautiful personal essays in which the author draws personal and immediate connections to larger global dilemmas.

Steady-State Economics: the economics of biophysical equilibrium and moral growth, by Herman E. Daly.

A dense but extremely informative book in which Daly, a leader in the field, discusses the major concepts of environmental and ecological economics.

Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change, by Guy Dauncey.

Provides not only the background information but also a list of tangible, doable actions to get people started on the solutions to climate change.

Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Consumer Goods, by John C. Ryan.

A fascinating, eye-opening account of the resources, energy, and people involved in producing everyday goods. 

Take Action! A Guide to Active Citizenship, by Marc and Craig Kielburger.

A great step-by-step guide for young people wanting to make a difference.

Taking Action - An Environmental Guide for You and Your Community, by UNEP.

This book thoroughly explains not only the issues surrounding energy, waste, consumption, forests, oceans and biodiversity - but also what you can do about it.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

A simple but uplifting story about a shepherd who follows his dreams, and how the whole universe conspires to help him succeed.

The Beauty Myth, by Naomi Wolf.

A feminist analysis of women's enslavement to the false ideals of beauty. Every woman and man should read it.

The Everyday Activist: 365 Ways to Change the World, by Michael Norton.

Suggests one action for every day of the year to make the world a better place. Look for a profile of The Otesha Project!

 

The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not."

The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran.

Gibran, a Lebanese poet and philosopher, uses the mouthpiece of the prophet Al-Mustafa to discuss the major concepts in human life, such as love, joy, self-knowledge, freedom, law, religion, and reason. 

The Sacred Balance: rediscovering our place in nature, by David Suzuki.

Combines science, theology, poetry and philosophy to express a world view towards which the human species must shift in the twenty-first century.

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: a book that changes lives, by Dan Millman.

One man's story of his journey learning to value what is most important and to direct his own energy and mindfulness.

Transforming Ourselves, Transfroming the World: an Open Conspiracy for Social Change, by Brian Murphy.

Reveals and explains the social and personal dilemmas which hold people back from social engagement, and inspires you to overcome them and conspire for change.

Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson, by Mitch Albom.

One man recounts the life lessons he learned through conversations with and the life and death of his beloved professor.

Walden, by Henry David Thoreau

Reflections and essays by the American philosopher during his time spent living on his own at Walden Pond.

 

When Corporations Rule the World, by David C. Korten.

An examination of corporate power concentration and an argument that humanity's best interests lie within a community-based alternative.

World Hunger, by Francis Moore Lappe, Joseph Collins and Peter Rosset.

Examines head-on the policies and politics that have kept hungry people from feeding themselves around the world, in both Third- and First-World countries, as well as the misconceptions that have obscured our own national, social, and humanitarian interests.

Youth Xchange Training Kit on Responsible Consumption - THE GUIDE, by UNEP and UNESCO.

An awesome, detailed look at sustainable consumption and our roles as consumers.