Search Results for: Environment

Celebrate our most beloved broadcaster, biologist and environmentalist with this stunning gift book, packed to the brim with facts, trivia questions and a selection of his most insightful and inspiring quotes

Sir David Attenborough has spent a lifetime inspiring, educating and delighting viewers of all ages with his pioneering wildlife documentaries and his appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. His passion, knowledge and authority – as well as his deep sense of humanity – have made him one of the most respected and beloved icons of our time. He has also used his platform to help raise awareness of the plight of our wildlife, being a tireless advocate for conservation and the environment.

This collection of his wisest and most inspirational quotes, along with eye-opening facts and trivia, is a must-have for any Attenborough afficionado. Dive into a celebration of the incredible richness of the natural world around us, from the majesty of the animal kingdom to the awe-inspiring depths of the oceans, and discover a hopeful outlook for the future, through David Attenborough’s eyes.

“A joy to read. ” – Mary Colwell, author of Curlew Moon and The Gathering Place

“Tender, warm-hearted and honest…It’s Detectorists, but for nature, and without your own kit.” – Nicola Chester, author of On Gallows Down and Ghosts of the Farm

“The Volunteers gripped me from the first page.” – Vicki Hird MSc FRES, author of Rebugging the Planet

A Country and Town House book of the year 2024

A heart-warming true story of the woods and wildlife, conservation and community, perfect for fans of Detectorists and The Outlaws

When Carol’s world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain’s diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true. However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle porta-cabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.

Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member. This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it’s a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.

Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol’s week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well-being and a newfound perspective on life’s challenges. This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol’s weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.

The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.

Together, we can change the world

There is little doubt that our beautiful planet is now under huge threat; our weather is more extreme, plastic litters our oceans, industrial production and farming methods wreak havoc on the environment and mass deforestation has led to the extinction of many species.

Carry on this way and it’s almost certain that sea levels will continue to rise, there will be extreme heatwaves, loss of the polar ice caps and mass pollution; in short, a very worrying future for us all. We need to take action before it’s too late, and we can all do our bit to help.

This guide is full of simple tips we can all incorporate into our daily lives, and will demonstrate how small eco-friendly changes can have a huge positive effect on the world around us. They might even save the planet.

Living well doesn’t have to cost the earth

We all want to do our bit for the planet, and now it’s easier than ever. This book is your guide to eco-thrifty living: the way to look out for the climate and your budget at the same time. Explore the art of recycling and upcycling to spruce up your home and garden, find out how to revamp old clothes and how to say no to waste, and learn the secrets to conscious, creative living – all without the hefty price tag.

There is no planet B, but with eco-thrifty living, we won’t need one. From nifty cleaning tips, to stylish home decor and natural beauty, discover the countless ways to reduce your carbon footprint and live a life you love that’s sustainable – both for the world and your wallet.

“A gentle, warm, vulnerable book that buzzes and sings and blossoms… Donaldson shows that it is not just nature that benefits from working with the earth – the human soul heals and grows too. With lives as tangled and bright as the wildflowers in the verges, this book is a joy to read. ” – Mary Colwell, author of Curlew Moon and The Gathering Place


A heart-warming true story of the woods and wildlife, conservation and community, perfect for fans of Detectorists and The Outlaws

When Carol’s world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain’s diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true. However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle porta-cabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.

Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member. This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it’s a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.

Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol’s week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well-being and a newfound perspective on life’s challenges. This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol’s weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.

The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.

There are so many important decisions to make about how we must adapt our lifestyles to reverse climate change, but where do we start?

From your first steps toward living sustainably all the way to going zero-waste, this book is here to help you find solutions to all your climate conundrums by taking inspiration from a true eco-warrior.

If we each approach the climate emergency in the same way as Greta, we can all live a planet-friendly life and enjoy a brighter future.

The Little Book of Going Green aims to shed light on the ways humans are harming the environment, from pollution and deforestation to industrial production and farming methods. Filled with facts, theories and tips on how we can do our bit for the planet, this is your one-stop guide to making every aspect of your life earth-friendly.

We need bees. And they need us.

This small, informative and engaging guide to these terrific, tiny creatures will captivate and inspire readers of all ages.

Discover the fascinating story of these marvels of nature with this perfect pocket guide, here to celebrate all things bee. Learn about their beehaviours, why they are under threat and how they are essential to our existence. From tips to help identify different species to bee habitats and folklore, this is the ideal companion for any bee lover looking to protect the future of our furry little friends.

Inside you’ll find:

– Fascinating facts about all kinds of bees (did you know there are over 20,000 different species?)
– The essential place bees hold in our ecosystem and the countless benefits we gain from their existence
– Positive steps we can all take to tackle the serious decline of these incredible insects
– A variety of recipes and crafts, from easy honey cake to eco-friendly beeswax wraps

We’ve reached an environmental crisis point with plastic, and it’s time to take action. But is it possible to make positive changes without radically changing your lifestyle? Absolutely!

This practical book suggests eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, including budget options, high-street substitutes and DIY ideas to help you drastically reduce your plastic consumption. With 101 simple ways to use less plastic, you’ll find it easy to take the first step and make a difference.

We all have the power to make a difference

We know our planet’s resources are stretched to the limits. We know that without significant changes to our diets and shopping habits, nature will continue to suffer. But sometimes it feels like we’re bombarded with mixed messages, and it can be hard to work out which foods are truly eco-friendly. This book sets out the facts in a clear and straightforward way, helping you to make informed choices about environmentally conscious ways to shop, the products to avoid, the best foods to buy, and sustainable ways to prepare them.

With over 30 delicious recipes that you, and the earth, will love, The Planet-Friendly Kitchen contains all the tips and advice you need to start making small changes that have big impacts. The choices we make can help create a kinder way of feeding the world, and will preserve our beautiful planet for many generations to come.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the thought of the climate emergency?

Do you want an eco-friendly lifestyle but don’t know where to start?

Then dive into this little book, full of simple, achievable ways to help you reduce your carbon footprint. From tips on creating a more eco-friendly home and ways to reduce your plastic use, to advice on shopping sustainably, within these pages you will discover everything you need to know to help you make planet-friendly choices and live a more sustainable life.

One of BBC Wildlife’s Books of the Year 2025

“A book of great courage, curiosity, discovery and connection.” – Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow

“Both gentle and fierce, as well as bravely and radically honest, I loved this book.” – Nicola Chester, author of Ghosts of the Farm

“Both ordinary and profound, Land Beneath the Waves charts a process most of us never manage: to give a true account of ourselves.” – Melissa Harrison, novelist, nature writer and author of The Given World

A moving, honest and revealing memoir of living with chronic illness, and an examination of the ways a relationship with the natural world can affect us, from debut author and Guardian country diarist Nic Wilson

When Nic Wilson begins researching the history of her local landscape and its wildlife, the last thing she wants to do is consider her own past. But as she unearths tales of giant sequoias, puss moths, nightingales and chalk streams, Nic realises her affinity with the nearby wild began as a way to handle growing up with a mother who lived with a debilitating chronic illness.

Now in her forties, and struggling with mental and physical health herself, Nic revisits her childhood to trace the influence of the natural world on her life. As she grapples with revelations from the past, the boundaries between self and land become increasingly porous, and the lure of the wetlands around her home threatens to engulf her. Can she find the strength to face the waves of chronic illness – past and present – and learn to reach for steady ground?

With the natural world facing more threats than ever before, Land Beneath the Waves inspires us to develop a meaningful bond with our local natural spaces and landscapes, illuminating a hopeful path towards a better future for human and non-human life.

A moving, honest and revealing memoir of living with chronic illness, and an examination of the ways a relationship with the natural world can affect us, from debut author and nature writer Nic Wilson

When Nic Wilson begins researching the history of her local landscape and its wildlife, the last thing she wants to do is consider her own past. But as she unearths tales of giant sequoias, puss moths, nightingales and chalk streams, Nic realizes her affinity with the nearby wild began as a way to handle growing up with a mother who lived with a debilitating chronic illness.

Now in her forties, and struggling with mental and physical health herself, Nic revisits her childhood to trace the influence of the natural world on her life. As she grapples with revelations from the past, the boundaries between self and land become increasingly porous, and the lure of the wetlands around her home threatens to engulf her. Can she find the strength to face the waves of chronic illness – past and present – and learn to reach for steady ground?


With the natural world facing more threats than ever before, Land Beneath the Waves inspires us to develop a meaningful bond with our local natural spaces and landscapes, illuminating a hopeful path towards a better future for human and non-human life.

Cutting out animal products has never been easier!


From eco to ethical, there are plenty of sound reasons to eat less meat. It’s possible to make positive changes to your diet without radically altering your lifestyle – and you can still eat tasty, nutritious food without feeling like you’re missing out. This practical book is full of nutritional tips, lifestyle hacks and delicious meat-free recipes, so that you’ll find it easy to take the first step and make a difference.

This handy guide is brimming with quick tips, life hacks and budget-friendly tricks to help you reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably

An eco-friendly lifestyle is expensive and time-consuming, right? Wrong! There are countless ways to make green choices that don’t take a toll on your time, your bank balance or the planet.

This book is your one-stop guide to living a more sustainable lifestyle. Whether you need tips on conserving energy or reducing food waste, or you want to give your home a makeover without impacting the planet, these pages include everything you need to get started. You will find:
– Clever life hacks to make reducing your carbon footprint that bit easier
– Simple tips to help you make planet-friendly choices in everyday life
– Smart advice for eco-living on a budget
– Inspiration for eco-friendly crafts and DIY projects

It’s more important than ever to do our bit for the environment, and Planet-Friendly Hacks will help you live life to the full without costing the earth.

Be kind to the planet, but most of all, be kind to yourself


When you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, grab this book for a dose of calm and courage. Packed with reassuring tips and advice, from mindfulness exercises to practical steps you can take to make a difference, this guide will ease your eco-anxiety and help you to live a more environmentally friendly life.

The Responsible Traveller is your ticket to sustainable and ethical travel. This pocket-sized book provides the knowledge and tools that can help you to explore the world with a lighter footprint.

Whether you travel out of curiosity, to find respite, to remind yourself of how vast and wonderful our planet is, or in search of life-shaping adventures, having the freedom to explore can be exhilarating and hugely rewarding. However we owe it to the people, cultures, ecosystems and wildlife that we encounter along the way to travel with respect; to preserve our beautiful world for generations to come.

The Responsible Traveller will show you how to make actionable changes that result in more thoughtful and adventurous travels, while also doing our very best for Planet Earth. Through case studies and storytelling, you’ll learn about the environmental and social effects of tourism and gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity. And through simple, achievable tips and practical lifestyle changes, you’ll discover how you can make an almighty difference in reducing your impact. Empowered with this information, perhaps your next adventure will be inspired by consideration, understanding and compassion.

This book will help you save money, buy less and do your bit for the environment – just through loving your leftovers! It’s your essential guide to shopping smarter and making meals that go the extra mile.

Trying to be more sustainable and eco-friendly in the kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of help and encouragement you can dramatically reduce your food waste. Not only does this help your budget, as you don’t have to buy so much food, but it can also help to save the planet – because when you’re using up your leftovers rather than throwing them away, you reduce your carbon footprint.

The Zero-Waste Kitchen includes:
– Meal-planning hacks
– Simple ways to store your food for maximum freshness
– Ideas for growing vegetables and fruit from the scraps you usually throw away
– An A-Z guide to common leftovers and how they can be used in the kitchen and beyond
– Easy-to-follow recipes for using up ingredients that tend to go to waste
And much, much more!

Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms with this beautiful pocket guide, featuring trivia, history, identification tips, delicious recipes and more

One of nature’s most extraordinary organisms can be found right under your feet: the mushroom. For thousands of years these fungi have intrigued humankind, providing food, inspiring folklore and proving to be both poison and cure.

The Little Book of Mushrooms will allow you to uncover this mysterious kingdom for yourself. Learn the difference between a giant puffball and a scarlet elf cup and discover how mushrooms and the fungal network help plant life to communicate. You will also find:

– Fascinating facts about the fungi kingdom
– Mushroom folklore from around the world
– A beginner’s guide to identifying common wild mushrooms
– A collection of delicious mushroom-based recipes
Mushrooms are vital to life on earth, and this book will be your guide to these spectacular organisms that have influenced our past and could shape our future.

This informative pocketbook of essential foraging tips and tricks will help any aspiring forager on their journey to becoming a food-gathering fiend

– Foraging is becoming an extremely popular pastime, so this is a great gift for nature lovers
– Learn the dos and don’ts, what equipment you need and safety tips
– Discover how to use your foraged ingredients in food and drink recipes

As an antidote to the stresses of modern life, more and more people are flocking to forests, fields and hedgerows in pursuit of all the benefits nature brings.

But if you are new to foraging or haven’t done it for a while, sometimes it’s tricky to know where to go and what to pick. Not to mention the dos and don’ts of foraging safely that can leave even the most adept forager confused.

So, whether you’re a complete beginner or wanting to brush up on your existing skills, and no matter where you live, this resourceful little book will help you:

– Learn the essentials of foraging, including the dos and don’ts, equipment you need and where you can do it
– Discover what you can and can’t forage and how to identify what you’ve found
– Use your foraged foods to make delicious dishes and drinks

The Little Book of Foraging is the ideal companion for anyone starting out in the world of foraging, and will show you how to gather food safely, responsibly and joyfully.

THE LAST TIME JOHN HARRISON VENTURED INTO THE JUNGLE A MEMBER OF HIS GROUP DIED.

THIS TIME HE BROUGHT HIS WIFE.

The Tumucumaque Hills on Brazil’s northern frontier are one of the few remaining unexplored regions on earth. Back in 1950, a young French explorer set off into the deepest jungle of that region and was never seen again.

Inspired by that explorer’s diary, John and Heather Harrison paddled their canoe into some of the remotest tributaries of the Amazon, with no TV cameras, sponsors or the slightest chance of being rescued if things went wrong. Lost, and threatened by malaria, snakes, jaguars, piranhas, aggressive wild pigs and flesh-burrowing insects, they slashed a precipitous path over the mountains. 

This is travel at its rawest: the incredible story of the Harrison’s struggle to keep their deteriorating sanity and relationship intact in one of the most hostile and unforgiving places in the world.

Mont Blanc, or ‘Il Bianco’ as it is sometimes known as in Italy; The White One. It sits, regally, upon pleated glacial folds gathered together around a timeless, grey-rock body, high above the French town of Chamonix, lord of all that it surveys. It beguiles, bewitches and charms the lesser folk who seek to frolic and play amongst the buttressed foothills of its ancient frame, but exudes also a sense of foreboding; a warning to the one hundred or so climbers that die each year attempting to reach the gleaming, domed summit of this great snow-encrusted mountain.

Framed by the cobalt blue sky and golden alpine sun, Western Europe’s highest mountain has held a certain allure over explorers and hikers for centuries, playing host to the likes of Hannibal, Napoleon and the early pioneers of alpine exploration.

In a muddy field somewhere in Cornwall on New Year’s Day, two men make a pact to tackle it. Call it a mid-life crisis, with not only his daughter about to leave for university but also the rapidly approaching prospect of his fiftieth birthday to consider: walking 170 kilometres across a mountain range seems the perfect antidote. Humorous, reflective and poignant, this is the story of a journey around one of the world’s most iconic mountains, through an area that is full to bursting with stories to remember.

If you want to know your ichthyosaur from your iguanodon, and your belemnites from your brachiopods, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of palaeontology

Life as we know it now has a long history, buried beneath the ground. Palaeontology is the science of fossilized animals and plants, using discoveries of ancient lifeforms to uncover secrets of the past. From giant dinosaurs, to ammonites, to the first ever humans, explore the greatest findings in palaeontology in this pocket-sized introduction.

The Little Book of Palaeontology includes:
– The key palaeontological discoveries over the past 400 years, including the dinosaur found complete with intricate scales, and the largest fossil ever uncovered
– Profiles of influential palaeontologists such as Jack Horner, Dong Zhiming and Mary Anning
– What we have learnt about the lives of ancient creatures and how they became extinct
– The big questions about the prehistoric world that palaeontologists are trying to answer today

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how life evolved. Look through this window to the past and learn about our prehistoric ancestors and the creatures of a bygone age.

Have you ever wanted to know…




Which junction to take for Gibraltar?


How to save £35,040 a year on Dartford Crossing tolls?


How many assassins were buried within the concrete of the M25? (at least one)


Why it’s important that North Ockendon declares itself independent from Greater London at the earliest opportunity?




This indispensable biography of a road profiles the 117 miles of Britain’s most infamous motorway, from its controversial origins to its present-day status as backdrop to the lives and commutes of millions. Told with Ray Hamilton’s trademark powers of observation and off-the-wall humour, it is an eye-opening account of the stuff you didn’t know about the M25 – including the action, sightseeing or nature-loving fun you can have coming off at any junction – and a very different view of the stuff you did know.