Resources for Revolutionaries
Books, Podcasts, and TedTalks, Oh MY!
Since early childhood, I wanted to make the world a better place. But I didn’t know how—so I spent a good portion of my life in the pursuit of knowledge. This resulted in the accumulation of degrees: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, where I focused on creating conversations through art about marine issues. Then a Master’s in Environmental Arts & Humanities, where I explored the forces that have shaped Western Society, and argued for destroying binary thinking and that only transdisciplinary work will solve our transdisciplinary problems. Fed up with the destruction of the planet being perfectly legal (you just need a permit), I went to law school because I wanted to be part of a movement writing better laws, laws that support all life. Immediately after that, I went to the Netherlands for an LL.M. in Public International Law, in the Ocean, Environment, & Sustainability track. And you know what? The most impactful things I learned were not in any coursework, except for one class in my MA on worldviews. (Every now and then, when you’re lucky, you find a great teacher, and I fully support our teachers at all levels of education having the support they need!)
At this point, I’m completely disillusioned with the education system. I elaborate on this in a reflection piece about my LLM experience in the Netherlands, which certainly contributed to my long list of how to improve education but that is not for this post. The fact is, we can all educate ourselves and learn and grow together, and despite all my degrees, or perhaps because of them, I know for sure that learning is a lifelong process.
Most of my readers are focused on making the world a better place in whatever way utilises their skills and knowledge best. I want to support that, so starting now I’ll occasionally share resources (books, journal articles, TEDtalks, podcasts, etc) that deeply impacted me and shape my activism.
I hope you enjoy this list. I find that books also make a great gift for the climate-conscious who are typically hard to shop for during the holidays/birthdays because they are so against consumerism. On that note, if you’re still sorting out your holiday gifts, you might like my post I’m a Material Girl: a different kind of gift guide.
BOOKS
It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform our World, Mikaela Loach Designed for people at any stage in their journey of climate awareness and activism, this book invites us into what can be difficult conversations about the forces that shape our world while empowering us to do something about it, because, it’s not that radical. Radical is defined as addressing a problem at the root. Necessary discussion to achieve climate justice. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Change Everything: How we can rethink, repair, and rebuild society, Natalie Bennet I met the author when we were interviewed in Parliament, and I was blown away (you can read about that here). It was so refreshing to hear a politician talk openly about what needs to change and how. For Americans especially, this book offers a new take on politics that will create a better world for people and planet—we should read it if only to know what is possible and what we can and should demand from our leaders.
A Field Guide To Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet, Sarah Jaquette Ray I almost didn’t pick up this book because I thought the title was too cheesy, but only a few pages in, I suddenly felt powerful AF. It guides individuals through new perspectives on resilience along with concrete strategies and future reading. All our emotions, even those labelled as “negative” like grief, anxiety, etc., have an important role to play in our lives—they point out what we care about. This book helped me find joy in my work.
PODCAST
Coral, Kelp & Community (links to YouTube, also on most podcast platforms): Ocean Stories to Inspire Ocean Stewards! Each episode has a new guest, and we explore topics like science, policy, activism, and have fun doing it! Guests are from all over the world and engage in a diverse body of work, showing we all have something to offer.
TEDTALK
TEDxManila, Antonoi Oposa Jr. 12/5/09 : Tony Oposa shares some amazing perspective shifts when we change the language we use to discuss environmental issues. He is one of my favourite Environmental Lawyers, who I first discovered when I read his successful and ground-breaking case in the Filipino Supreme Court.
Please feel free to add to this list or share what you thought of these resources if you’ve already read/listened to them.