Joycelyn Longdon offers a unique approach to understanding and dealing with the climate crisis. She is both highly engaged and highly engaging and enables us to become active participants in a journey of connection, the key to all action. "Connection" may be a word that enters our lexicon with increasing frequency; after all, without connection we are but bystanders to a world collapsing around us.
Longdon explores the six roots of environmental wisdom and action, beginning with Rage - healthy, justifiable rage, that is - and progressing through Imagination, Innovation, Theory, Healing, and Care. She offers fine scholarship in an easily readable form.
Along the way she pays tribute to indigenous wisdom and its essential role in combatting environmental breakdown. Part of our collective wisdom is that we are finally listening to these voices which have long offered solutions.
She examines the numerous and heinous injustices inflicted on people of colour, marginalized communities and the ongoing scourge of institutionalized racism in many governments throughout the world. A colonial mentality and unrestrained capitalism are as toxic now as they have ever been.
We may gnash our teeth over the overall state of the world as it hurtles towards self-annihilation, yet in our relationships with others, we must cling to joy, and yes, even hope. The world we know will change in drastic ways, but we must learn to adapt and not surrender to despair.
Longdon is a unique voice in a sea of doom, offering hope for the future. Even the most pessimistic among us should listen.
If I have one minor quibble with the book it is that it cries out for pictures. Their absence probably reflects budgetary constraints, but there are several places where a photograph would have measurably enhanced the text - the living root bridges, the tree in the centre of the road in Ghana, the church forests of Ethiopia.
I enjoyed the book very much. It is compelling and offers a new perspective on THE issue of the century. It needs to be read by those in positions of power in countries throughout the world.
Sadly, I don't think that it will be.
Natural Connection: Six Roots of Environmental Wisdom & Action - Princeton University Press
Joycelyn Longdon
US$22.95 - ISBN: 9780691284378
368 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)
Publication date: 12 May, 2026
It's good to hear about optimistic books, David. The way the world is today, it's easy to get depressed.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Unfortunately, not all those who should read useful books read them. Neither those who are responsible for environmental protection, nor politicians. Many responsible people have lost touch with the things they should. Those who should care about climate protection from nature, politicians from the people entrusted to them. Unfortunately, the loss of touch is also true in general.
ReplyDeleteYou also write about hope. If it weren't for me, I would have been lost in this world a long time ago!
P.S.: I wrote to you about traditional Easter breakfasts after your comment on my blog.
All the best to you, and good readings! Éva
A picture is worth a thousand words. Thank you for your honest and wonderful review, David.
ReplyDelete...Wisdom & Action are seriously lacking these day!
ReplyDelete