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!
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds very interesting. I agree with Tom. Wisdom and Action are definitely lacking these days, especially in the US Government. But I won't go there. I put out some cracked corn for the visiting crows. They seem to like it. Is that a good choice for them? Have a wonderful FRiday and start to your weekend. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI too put out corn for them, Erika, and they relish it. A common sight in winter is crows foraging in fields of corn stubble.
DeleteThis publication looks good! I looked up the author who is an environmental justice researcher... good!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this thoughtful and optimistic book about dealing with climate crisis.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like an interesting book to me, David.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, you would get depressed by everything that is going on in the world.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
All the best, Irma
A book more people should read. Those who should won't though. Have a nice day today.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, David. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteNot in a position of power but I'll definitely read it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
ReplyDeleteGreat, Dorothy.
DeleteMany thanks for your review David ...
ReplyDeleteHowever, as you say "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. "
Sending good wishes for the coming weekend.
All the best Jan
Hi dear friend o mine, I loved how you emphasized that "connection" is a vital need; without it, as you so aptly put it, we're reduced to mere witnesses of a world falling apart.
ReplyDeleteThe six roots suggest that even the most uncomfortable emotions can be seeds of transformation.
Thanks for sharing, and I'm sending you lots of kisses and hugs, wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Kiitos David, kun esittelit tuon tärkeän kirjan.
ReplyDeleteHyvää viikonloppua!
"A colonial mentality...as toxic now as they have ever been."
ReplyDeleteMe and a few people were recently discussing overpopulation when somebody lamented the low birth rates in "civilized countries". How's that for a colonial mentality?
Reading the review makes me want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteWithout connection we are but bystanders to a world collapsing around us"
Do you believe that the world truly collapsing? maybe people as long as a millennia made the same observation-the world is not it used to be and the current generation is not taking care of the earth.
Sounds as if it might be a good book to read, shame about not enough photos. I doubt if our leaders here would take note.
ReplyDeleteSounds good David but sadly I think we are doomed!
ReplyDeleteYou make the book sound a bit preachy.
ReplyDeleteThe book you're talking about gives hope for understanding the environmental crisis, David. But I don't really see climate change here in the north; summers are often cold and winters are freezing, so the climate isn't changing here.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the successful flight of the Canadian astronaut!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful read, David, and what we need to pull us out of the pit of despair we fall into because of what is happening to the world today. It would be a wonderful thing if the people that are responsible would read it, but like you, I don't see that happening. And it does sound like a book crying out for pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds hopeful and positive, and it offers a much‑needed awareness to share through this book Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent review. I agree that illustrations add immeasurably to the appeal and accessibility of a book.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice sunday David.
ReplyDeleteello David,
ReplyDeleteunfortunately, there are a great many people who don't care at all about the environment or the global climate crisis. Politicians are more concerned with themselves and conquering land than with actually doing something about this crisis.
It is such a shame, but I hope that more and more people like Joycelyn Longdon will emerge.
Kind regards, Helma
Thank you for sharing your review of an important book. It seems that Joycelyn Longdon brings hope, connection, and fairness into the climate conversation.
ReplyDeleteSería bueno que los que manejan el poder lo leyeran. Cambiarían algunas cosas.
ReplyDeleteGracias David. Al menos he tenido un poco de suerte al ser una fisura y no rotura que se curará antes.
Buena semana.
Un abrazo.
NO, unfortunately those who have the power to actually initiate change won't read this book. Instead they create more and more damage and hinder any kind of positive development. I'm not naming any names here...
ReplyDeleteA big hug for you - Carola
Dear David,
ReplyDeletethis is a deeply engaging and thought-provoking review. What struck me most is the way you highlight “connectedness” not just as an idea, but as a necessary condition for meaningful action. That feels both timely and essential.
I was also drawn to the structure you describe, moving from anger to care, it reflects a journey many of us may recognize, but rarely see articulated so clearly.
Your mention of indigenous knowledge and the need to finally listen adds an important dimension that is too often overlooked in these discussions.
And yes, your small criticism about the lack of images makes perfect sense – some of the examples you mention almost ask to be seen as well as read.
As always, your review manages to balance realism and a fragile sense of hope. That is perhaps what makes it so compelling.
Anette
Optimism and positivity are still around fighting the good fight!! Interesting review, David....Hugs
ReplyDeleteMe encantan los libros y este parece muy interesante. Besos.
ReplyDelete