#BookReview NATURE IS A HUMAN RIGHT by ELLEN MILES

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fighting for a green world — a collection of essays and writing for building an equal, healthier society.

Access to the natural world is a human right. This inspiring book captures why contact with nature is essential for our mental, social and physical well-being — and how we can rethink urban development to create green city spaces and a return to nature.

Find an inspiring collection of original writings from world-leading “green” voices and discover:

– Benefits and issues surrounding our access to nature
– Discussions on social and environmental justice
– Why we need nature around us, how we’re being deprived of nature and what we can all do to change environmental and social issues
– Edited by the founder of the environmental justice campaign Nature is a Human Right, Ellen Miles

Concrete outweighs every tree, bush, and shrub on Earth. Nature deprivation is a fast-growing epidemic, harming the health and happiness of hundreds of millions of people worldwide — especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. Nature is a Human Right, founded by Ellen Miles in 2020, is working to make access to green space a recognized right for all, not a privilege.

This book brings together a collection of engaging, accessible essays, interviews and exercises, from expert ambassadors and supporters (including authors, artists, scientists, human rights experts, television presenters, TED speakers, and climate activists). Each contributor offers a new perspective on why contact with nature should be a protected human right.

Enlightening and sometimes uncomfortable, this collection of writing and ideas illuminate the work that needs to be done to make our global future happier.

PUBLISHED BY DK PUBLISHING

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

MY REVIEW

This is a brilliant, and very timely book, that focuses on the importance of a green space is to each and everyone us – no more so than over the past couple of years where we have all seen how nature and spending time in it is crucial to our wellbeing.

This book is a collection of essays and interviews from a variety of leading experts and brilliantly sums up the different aspects that nature has on the human psyche and how attitudes have changed to it over the years – to the detriment of society at times.

It is split into 3 sections which works really well – Welfare; showing the impact on how a green space is so good for you and the benefits it has both mentally and physically, Injustice; how the modern world has turned grey and that much needed green spaces are being taken over and not replaced… and Change; what we can do to keep the green spaces and do your bit be it in your own garden space or in the local community.

There’s a good mix of essays – that aren’t too preachy! – studies and even poetry and is fascinating to see the impact on health, senses and sleep. As a keen birdwatcher myself I really connected with the study on birdspotting and the joy it brings and a lift to your mental health when you hear a bird sing or spot a new species to you!

There’s also some good practical advice on how to make seed bombs, how to compost and using a worm farm so it was good to see the more hands on side to the book, and I loved how it offered solutions to various problems or ways to help instead of just featuring the issues.

I loved reading every page of this book and I just think it is sad that those not interested in nature and green social spaces who should be reading this book will be the least likely to pick this up. They’re the ones who need to read this the most!! Highly recommended!

★★★★★

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