April is a time to celebrate the Earth, its land, creatures and climate as it marks the arrival of Earth Month. In honor of the planet we call home, here are five book and six film recommendations to help us appreciate and honor all that Earth has done for us.
“Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety” by Britt Wray
As climate change continues to wreak havoc on communities close and far, you have likely felt emotions about the current or future state of the Earth. In “Generation Dread,” Wray offers readers realistic strategies to take care of themselves, stay connected to others and find purpose amid climate change, climate disasters and climate anxiety.
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“irreplaceable: a collective praise poem for Great Salt Lake” composed by nan seymour
In recent years, the Great Salt Lake has become in danger of drying up, exposing greenhouse gasses and toxic dust, and no longer being able to support the organisms—including humans—that depend on it. Faced with these stark possibilities, many Utah residents voiced praise for the lake and expressed the importance of protecting it. In “irreplaceable,” nan seymour captures and connects these voices to create what seymour describes as “a community prayer for the replenishment of an ecosystem on a precipice.”
“Atlas of a Threatened Planet: 150 Infographics to Help Anyone Save the World” by Esther Gonstalla
If you’re a visual learner who’s interested in understanding the world’s climate, ecology and infrastructure, this book is for you! “Atlas of a Threatened Planet” illuminates our changing world through concise definitions, simplified diagrams and visually interesting infographics that are easy to understand and concludes with a hopeful call to action.
“Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden” by Camille T. Dungy
Camille T. Dungy recounts her experience as a Black mother, gardener and resident of the predominately white community of Fort Collins, Colorado. Not only was Fort Collins’ population largely homogeneous when Dungy moved there in 2013, so too were the community’s restrictions on gardening. In “Soil,” Dungy reflects on the obstacles she faced while creating her pollinator garden, as well as the hope, beauty and diversity her garden represents.
“How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals” by Sy Montgomery
Get to know 13 unique, lovable, life-changing animals that happened to cross paths with nature writer Sy Montgomery. Discover how each animal, in their own way, exemplifies how be a “good creature” in this short, heartwarming book, with delightful illustrations by Rebecca Green.
“Change It!” (Building Stuff, Season 1)
Running time: 53 minutes
Thousands of years of human innovation have allowed us to shape the environment to improve lives. The consequences of our activities are not always benign—but there are solutions. From electrifying aviation, to building robots to protect threatened coral reefs, a new generation of engineers is finding creative solutions to some of our most critical environmental challenges.
“Extinction: The Facts”
Running time: 54 minutes
With 1 million species at threat, David Attenborough explores the science of extinction and how this crisis has consequences for us all even putting us at greater risk of pandemic diseases.
“Guardians of the Earth”
Running time: 85 minutes
The Paris Agreement is a milestone in history that will influence decades to come. For the first time, 195 countries committed to take action against climate change with the key goal of keeping the global average temperature from increasing. This is the only film team that got access behind closed doors of the negotiations.
“Rachel Carson” (The American Experience)
Running time: 114 minutes
This is an illuminating and inspiring portrait of a seminal figure whose writings changed the course of our nation and are still highly relevant today.
“Regenerating Life”
Running time: 137 minutes
John Feldman visits people who are working on solutions and looking for ways to repair the damage inflicted on the landscape. By working with nature, they are restoring the forests, fields, wetlands and oceans. They are regenerating the soil in order to grow healthy food and build healthy, resilient communities.
“River’s End: California’s Latest Water War”
Running time: 81 minutes
This film explores the global water crisis, using California as a microcosm. It inspires viewers to learn where their water comes from so that we can save our rivers and the ecosystems and communities that depend upon them.