22 Apr
WWB Book Wise Club

WISE BITES & BOOKS FOR EARTH DAY 2022

It is Earth Day and oh do we have a lot to think about this year! On a very serious note the world’s top scientist around the world have warned  temperatures on Earth will shoot past a key danger point unless greenhouse emissions fall faster than countries have committed. A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms that unless countries drastically accelerate efforts over the next few years to slash emissions from coal, oil and natural gas, the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, will likely be out of reach by the end of this decade! Take that in and be an active citizen, but do not panic and throw your hands up in despair. Read on for inspiration, wisdom and tools to manage your stress. All book titles are linked to Amazon for purchase. When you purchase through my links it helps with the cost of running this passion driven blog! ~Truly Herself, Laura Connolly aka ‘Lauroly’

WISE BITES & BOOKS FOR EARTH DAY 2022

 

TAKING THE HEAT

 

We now have a condition called ‘Climate Anxiety’ and you can learn more on how to calibrate your anxiety in my Q&A with Bonnie Schneider author of Taking the Heat. Her book was just released this year and it will be a tremendous resource to you as we LIVE through this terrible crisis.

“That’s why in TAKING THE HEAT, you’ll find ten chapters: half devoted to physical health and half focused on mental health. The psychological effects of climate change in terms of fear of what the future may hold is a particular concern for young people. I’ve devoted an entire chapter of my book to explain eco-anxiety and offer tips from top-notch health experts on how to cope with these feelings. There are science-backed holistic hacks throughout, discussing beneficial practices like gratitude and mindful meditation.” ~Bonnie Schneider

 

THE NATURE FIX

 

“While we as citizens of democratic countries can exercise our voting power so we can respond to the climate crisis with urgent intervention, as individuals we can also embrace and celebrate the beautiful planet we call home. One of the best inspirational science based books on this subject is ‘The Nature Fix’ by Florence Williams. Learn more about the book and glean inspiration from the author with my Q&A. Her travel takes us to Japan, Korea, Singapore, Finland, Sweden, Scotland, and we learn a lot about their cultures and wellness philosophies tied to nature. There is so much we can incorporate in our own lives, and you will be amazed how simple it can be!

“I was struck by the studies in Japan, led by Japanese anthropologist Yoshifumi Miyazaki, that measured physiological changes to the nervous system after just 20 minutes of being in the woods. These studies showed a 20-minute stroll on a forest trail can reduce your blood pressure an average 11 percent and lower your cortisol hormones (a measure of stress) by six percent. Perhaps because of the practice of forest bathing in Japan, people there are attuned to using all their senses in the woods – so they’re really paying attention to what they’re smelling and feeling and hearing and seeing. It seems that shortcut to mindfulness really helps us feel calmer and relaxed more quickly when we’re out in nature.” ~Florence Williams

 

THE EIGHT MASTER LESSONS OF NATURE

 

 

This is one of my personal favorites, and if you are looking for inspiration and wisdom I highly recommend this book.  The Eight Master Lessons of Nature By Gary Ferguson is a beautiful overview of nature and science that will remind you of your very real interdependent connection to life on earth. After reading this book, you will find that nurturing nature in all its forms is the same as nurturing yourself. The best wise bite I can offer you from the book is the short snippet of the eight lessons. Read the Q&A I did with Gary for his inspiring and thoughtful reflections on nature’s wisdom.

LESSON ONE: Mystery: Wisdom begins when we embrace all that we don’t know

LESSON TWO: Life on Earth thrives thanks to a vast garden of connections

LESSON THREE: The more kinds of life in the forest, the stronger that life becomes

LESSON FOUR: Healing the planet, and ourselves, means recovering the feminine

LESSON FIVE: Our animal cousins make us happier and smarter

LESSON SIX: We live on a planet with energy beyond measure, yet life doesn’t waste a drop

LESSON SEVEN: After disaster and disruption: NATURE TEACHES US THE FINE ART OF RISING AGAIN

LESSON EIGHT: Old Growth: The planet’s elders can help us be better at life

 

BECOMING WILD

 

You might wonder, what could we possibly learn from animal culture? It turns out quite a bit!

Becoming Wild-How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty and Achieve Peace reminds us that all living species whether they be macaw parrots, sperm whales, or chimpanzees, value cooperation and need empathetic  members to achieve harmony and peace. The author Carl Safina and founder of The Safina Center invites us to change our relationship with the natural world, not to just save them but also to save ourselves. Check out my Q&A with Carl, and learn more about the beautiful and complex animals we share this world with.

“Only humans seem to become maladapted. Few people understand what’s understood by “survival of the fittest.” It means fit, as a puzzle piece fits. In the Arctic, white fur fits. In the rainforest, green feathers fit. Think of it as survival of what works best; that would have been a better phrase for Darwin to use to communicate without so much chance of being misunderstood for a century and a half. Culture is a faster way of adapting than genetic adaptation.” ~ Carl Safina

 

LESSONS FROM PLANTS

 

The Author Beronda Montgomery invites you into the world of plants, and through deeper understanding and insight she guides you to a fresh way of seeing the world through a plant’s awareness. After reading Lessons From Plants you might start asking yourself “What Would a Plant Do?” Maybe it’s time we start taking some notes on how to thrive from the plants growing in our backyard! Read my Q&A with Beronda and marvel at the intelligence of plants with a new found awareness!

“I recognize plants as having a ‘sense of self’ as they have perception that impacts their behavior in context. They sense what is going on around them, who is near them, and other aspects of their environment and then use that information to tune their behaviors accordingly. Imagine a life in which one’s entire existence must be tuned and tailored to the changing, and at times harsh environment. A life in which there is no potential for escape.” ~Beronda Montgomery

 

THIS PHENOMENAL LIFE

 

 

This is one of the few books I did not do a Q&A with but featured. It’s one of my favorite illustrated books celebrating our beautiful planet. It’s a great gift  for children and adults alike because it’s filled with scientific and awe-inspiring facts we don’t think about enough. We need to be reminded, just how interconnected we are to all livings things on earth right down to the bacteria that lives on our hands and in our guts!

Illustrated page from ‘This Phenomenal Life’ Book

 

“Few can deny the majesty of a starry sky when gazed upon far from the light pollution of a city, or the thrill of exploring a dense forest miles away from a dreary strip mall. Getting out into nature expands our perspective and revitalizes our spirits. For those of us who live in urban settings, it can sometimes feel like the wilderness is a world away. But the reality is in every moment of every day, no matter where you are, you are deeply connected to the wild, mysterious processes of the universe.” ~Misha Maynerick Blaise