If you're having trouble navigating ecogrief or identifying meaningful ways to engage in climate action, check out Climate Wayfinding. Let me tell you why.
Many of us want to do something about climate change — and about our grief over it — but finding a place to start can be overwhelming. Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home gets us unstuck, easing our concern with inspiring and soothing prose, poetry and playlists alongside tangible actions for tending to our own needs and the planet’s. Written by Katharine K. Wilkinson, who co-edited All We Can Save, this is part informative read, part functioning workbook.
The well-researched and carefully curated book includes relatable stories of Wilkinson’s own experiences and those of others — including climate leaders, scientists and concerned citizens. Interviews provide a closer look at the issues and work of people and organizations making a positive impact. She also offers thoughtful and interesting prompts to encourage reflection and help you feel less hopeless. Each chapter closes with individual and group activities for exploration, discussion, advocacy and action. (The mapping ones were my favorites.)
If you’re looking for inspiration, solace or motivation, this is the read for you — especially if you have a friend group who shares your interests and concerns. Climate Wayfinding (available in hardcover or digitally) is especially useful for conveners and community builders seeking fresh ideas to engage with and activate others. If you’re more of a loner, you’ll find plenty to relate to and guide your solo efforts. It's also a terrific pick for your book group!
In a time when it’s easy to feel paralyzed by competing priorities and dire warnings, Climate Wayfinding is a restorative refuge.
Remember to buy books from independent bookstores (like my friends at McIntyre's Books) or Bookshop.org, which supports them.