Best Environmental Science Books of 2025

The Earth Transformed: An Untold History is a groundbreaking book that delves into the historical impact of climate change and how it has shaped civilizations over time. Author Peter Frankopan provides a comprehensive account of how natural disasters, crop failures, and other climate-related events have influenced the rise and fall of empires throughout history. The book blends historical writing and scientific research in a way that will drastically change the way readers view the world and our future. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of history and climate change.

Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy offers a grassroots approach to conservation by turning yards into habitats for wildlife. The book provides practical and easy suggestions for individuals to preserve wildlife and the planet for future generations. Tallamy's vision for a private initiative approach to conservation is immune from the whims of government policy. The book is a must-read for those concerned about the environment and offers a blueprint for taking action. Overall, Nature's Best Hope is a persuasive and original book that provides a solution to the urgent situation of wildlife populations in decline.

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson is a thought-provoking masterpiece that uses fictional accounts to showcase the impact of climate change. This book has been praised by Barack Obama and Ezra Klein, and for good reason. It's not a post-apocalyptic story, but rather a future that is almost upon us. Robinson's writing style is masterful and the story is both terrifying and ultimately hopeful. The Ministry for the Future is an important read for anyone interested in the climate crisis and the potential solutions available to us.

The Barron's Regents Living Environment Power Pack Revised Edition is an excellent resource for students preparing for the Biology Regents exam. The two-book pack provides comprehensive review, practice questions, and actual administered exams. This edition includes four actual Regents exams, review questions grouped by topic, and thorough answer explanations. The book also offers study tips, test-taking strategies, and score analysis charts to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses. Let's Review Regents: Living Environment provides an extensive review of all topics on the test with extra practice questions and one actual Regents exam. Overall, this book is a valuable tool for students looking to succeed in their Biology Regents exam.

The "Princeton Review AP Environmental Science Prep, 2023" is an all-in-one study guide for students preparing for the AP Environmental Science exam. The book includes three full-length practice tests, content reviews, strategies for every question type, and access to online extras. The guide is fully aligned with the latest College Board standards for AP Environmental Science and provides detailed figures, graphs, and charts to illustrate important world environmental phenomena. The book is a great resource for students looking to score a perfect 5 on the exam and is a valuable tool for educators and parents. Overall, the "Princeton Review AP Environmental Science Prep, 2023" is a comprehensive and effective study guide that stands out for its thoroughness and quality content.

Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters by Steven Koonin is an eye-opening book that debunks the myths and misinformation surrounding climate change. The author, a distinguished scientist and former top science advisor to the Obama administration, uses his decades of experience to provide up-to-date insights and expert perspective free from political agendas. Koonin takes readers behind the headlines to explain what science really says (and doesn't say) about our changing climate. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the climate issue and be a savvier consumer of science media in general.

Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility is a collection of essays and interviews by climate activists, scientists, artists, and organizers from around the world. It addresses the urgent issue of climate change from political, scientific, social, and emotional dimensions, offering accessible and engaging insights into the future we can imagine if we take bold action. The book is an energizing read that will give hope to both newcomers and those already involved in the climate movement. Overall, it is a necessary guide to take us from climate crisis to climate hope.

"Finding the Mother Tree" by Suzanne Simard is a deeply personal and moving memoir that takes readers on a journey of discovery into the fascinating world of trees and their connections to one another and other living things in the forest. Simard, a pioneer forest ecologist, illuminates the intricate and interdependent circle of life that exists within the forest, and how trees communicate, adapt, and recognize their neighbors with sophistication. Simard's personal experiences growing up in the logging world of British Columbia add a unique perspective to this informative and inspiring book. Overall, "Finding the Mother Tree" is a must-read for anyone interested in ecology, nature, and the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

The book "Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World: An Identification Guide" is a comprehensive guide to identifying over 100 species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The book includes detailed descriptions and color photographs of each species, as well as an exploration of their historical and cultural significance. Author Paul Stamets, founder of Fungi Perfecti, provides readers with a wealth of knowledge on the subject of mycology. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating world of mushrooms and their potential medicinal uses.

The international bestseller, "Thinking in Systems," is a must-read for anyone looking to solve problems on a personal or global scale. The book offers insight into systems thinking skills that are critical for 21st-century life. Donella Meadows, the lead author of the bestseller "Limits to Growth," delves into the science behind global dilemmas and reminds readers to pay attention to what is important. The book is a concise and essential primer for problem-solving, and it helps readers avoid confusion and helplessness in an ever-growing complicated world.