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The Joyful Environmentalist
Finally! A book about saving our planet that is fast, funny, and inspiring. Isabel Losada gets right to the solutions. Her aim: to look for every way we can take care of the planet; how we live and work, travel, shop, eat, drink, dress, vote, play, volunteer, bank--everything. This is the feel-good book for anyone who loves nature and believes that one person can make a huge difference.
272 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 8, 2021
I want to say first, that there is much about this book that is good, with many positive suggestions that we can try to implement, ranging from using loose tea instead of teabags, to going back to using fountain pens (when I lived in China, everyone wrote with fountain pens, as they are ultimately cheaper. See Captain Vimes's economic analysis), to rewilding garden space and re-introducing native plants.
My biggest issue with the book is its obviously middle class attitudes, and the obviously affluent middle class demographic that it is aimed it. No wonder so many people feel dissociated from environmentalism when their particular living issues – frequently poverty - are barely addressed. Losada would like us all to eat organically, but doesn't examine the simple fact that organic produce is at least twice as expensive as the non-organic stuff. I remember Countryfile doing a programme a few years ago on how people would like to eat organically reared, free range food – but simply can't afford it. 'If it's more expensive, at least I'm caring for the planet' Losada states blithely, ignoring those who might like to care for the planet too – whilst still feeding their families. At one stage, she complains to a honey producer that his £4 jar of organic honey should be priced at least at £20, not only pricing most people out of the market completely, but entrenching the idea that living an environmentally-aware life is a luxury few of us can afford. It strikes me that Losada missed an opportunity here to discuss options for people beyond planting your own veggies, something that is not that feasible if you are living in a city tower block with no roof or balcony access. Or work full time for a living.
She quotes Monbiot's comment that the best thing we could all do to save the planet is bring down capitalism, something she dismisses before going to stay in an AirBnB in Devon – again, failing to recognise that AirBnB is a major contributing factor in pushing up property prices across the world, from Japan to Barcelona and Prague, forcing workers out of cities due to unaffordable rent prices, and negatively impacting on local lives to the extent that some cities are banning it. All of this is connected to the climate disaster we are undoubtedly facing, but in the desperate need to be 'joyful', all of this is ignored.
Connected to the issue of rising property prices and the exploitation of AirBnB is the belief that our countryside needs to be protected from 'the invasion of stressed city dwellers' (p224). Well, yes and no. There are certainly more empty houses currently than there are homeless people – with tighter controls on second home ownership and the political will to actually house people in affordable and acceptable living conditions, the UK probably doesn't need an enormous building boom across the flood valleys of the lowlands. But this attitude also promotes the idea that the UK is 'full', that there is no space to build outside of cities, a myth that is utterly unfounded. Less than 10% of the UK is built on.
And this is important, because as climate change affects low lying coastal areas across Europe, and as it affects huge swathes of the developing south, we are going to see a lot of climate refugees needing housing. The UK is not full, not by any stretch of the imagination, and whilst it is vital that the environment is protected and that climate change is addressed seriously and quickly, it is also vital that people are housed. All people.
Which leads us to the claim that the world needs far fewer people – does it? Or simply far fewer consumers? Given recent research that shows the footprint of one European is the equivalent to 17 citizens of the Ivory Coast, it strikes me that it is not the population number per se that is the issue. And even if it were, what does she suggest for population control? War and plague are the traditional go to methods, but personally, I believe that the Catholic church's ban on the use of contraception is something that should be vigorously addressed (or ignored), a change in attitude that would bring untold benefits for many people across the world, and be slightly less damaging.
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/2016...)
Look, I get it – I really do. Much of what Losada says is good, much of it I fully agree with. All that is wonderful is dealt with in the 5 star reviews below, so I need not repeat it here. I will undoubtedly use the book as a reference tool to work on my own environmental impact. But the issues I raise (and not just me) are too important to have been ignored in the book. Environmentalism cannot be seen as a luxury for the affluent. The next version of this book should address this.
My biggest issue with the book is its obviously middle class attitudes, and the obviously affluent middle class demographic that it is aimed it. No wonder so many people feel dissociated from environmentalism when their particular living issues – frequently poverty - are barely addressed. Losada would like us all to eat organically, but doesn't examine the simple fact that organic produce is at least twice as expensive as the non-organic stuff. I remember Countryfile doing a programme a few years ago on how people would like to eat organically reared, free range food – but simply can't afford it. 'If it's more expensive, at least I'm caring for the planet' Losada states blithely, ignoring those who might like to care for the planet too – whilst still feeding their families. At one stage, she complains to a honey producer that his £4 jar of organic honey should be priced at least at £20, not only pricing most people out of the market completely, but entrenching the idea that living an environmentally-aware life is a luxury few of us can afford. It strikes me that Losada missed an opportunity here to discuss options for people beyond planting your own veggies, something that is not that feasible if you are living in a city tower block with no roof or balcony access. Or work full time for a living.
She quotes Monbiot's comment that the best thing we could all do to save the planet is bring down capitalism, something she dismisses before going to stay in an AirBnB in Devon – again, failing to recognise that AirBnB is a major contributing factor in pushing up property prices across the world, from Japan to Barcelona and Prague, forcing workers out of cities due to unaffordable rent prices, and negatively impacting on local lives to the extent that some cities are banning it. All of this is connected to the climate disaster we are undoubtedly facing, but in the desperate need to be 'joyful', all of this is ignored.
Connected to the issue of rising property prices and the exploitation of AirBnB is the belief that our countryside needs to be protected from 'the invasion of stressed city dwellers' (p224). Well, yes and no. There are certainly more empty houses currently than there are homeless people – with tighter controls on second home ownership and the political will to actually house people in affordable and acceptable living conditions, the UK probably doesn't need an enormous building boom across the flood valleys of the lowlands. But this attitude also promotes the idea that the UK is 'full', that there is no space to build outside of cities, a myth that is utterly unfounded. Less than 10% of the UK is built on.
And this is important, because as climate change affects low lying coastal areas across Europe, and as it affects huge swathes of the developing south, we are going to see a lot of climate refugees needing housing. The UK is not full, not by any stretch of the imagination, and whilst it is vital that the environment is protected and that climate change is addressed seriously and quickly, it is also vital that people are housed. All people.
Which leads us to the claim that the world needs far fewer people – does it? Or simply far fewer consumers? Given recent research that shows the footprint of one European is the equivalent to 17 citizens of the Ivory Coast, it strikes me that it is not the population number per se that is the issue. And even if it were, what does she suggest for population control? War and plague are the traditional go to methods, but personally, I believe that the Catholic church's ban on the use of contraception is something that should be vigorously addressed (or ignored), a change in attitude that would bring untold benefits for many people across the world, and be slightly less damaging.
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/2016...)
Look, I get it – I really do. Much of what Losada says is good, much of it I fully agree with. All that is wonderful is dealt with in the 5 star reviews below, so I need not repeat it here. I will undoubtedly use the book as a reference tool to work on my own environmental impact. But the issues I raise (and not just me) are too important to have been ignored in the book. Environmentalism cannot be seen as a luxury for the affluent. The next version of this book should address this.
January 22, 2023
It's rare that a book about the environment brings a smile to my face. This one did. I loved this excellent, comprehensive guide to greener, planet-friendly living. I related deeply to the challenges the author faces as she tries to live in an eco-conscious way while maintaining a joy-filled orientation toward life and I especially loved the many solutions she offers that we can adopt too.
When I say that this book is comprehensive, I mean it REALLY is comprehensive, covering everything from the small (where to find plastic-free lip balm) to the huge (living off the grid so you can be both eco-friendly and free from the corporate grind). I also appreciated the extensive appendix with ideas for future reading, including inspiring cookbooks. Everyone can find ideas here, no matter what scale of change you are prepared to make to help our planet.
I will be recommending this title to my library and to the youth I work with as I think it would be exceptionally inspiring for young people navigating independent living. But really, it's a must-read for us all.
When I say that this book is comprehensive, I mean it REALLY is comprehensive, covering everything from the small (where to find plastic-free lip balm) to the huge (living off the grid so you can be both eco-friendly and free from the corporate grind). I also appreciated the extensive appendix with ideas for future reading, including inspiring cookbooks. Everyone can find ideas here, no matter what scale of change you are prepared to make to help our planet.
I will be recommending this title to my library and to the youth I work with as I think it would be exceptionally inspiring for young people navigating independent living. But really, it's a must-read for us all.
July 20, 2020
My review on my website. www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I started reading The Joyful Environmentalist, as soon as it landed on my door mat. I was so much into this book that I didn’t even notice the time had way passed my normal bed time and then finished the rest off the next day.
Isabel Losada is a radical environmentalist, who has been reading about the climate change. Isobel has written this book in a way that anyone who reads it will find ideas how to save the planet. This book has also been written as Isabel’s singled minded focus and with every solution she could find to stop using plastic, and parts you all will find incredible funny.
What author Isabel Losada, is not trying to do here is tell people to change the way you live and save the climate change. She is simply describing in her well written book how Isabel took the time to change the way she lives thinking about how she can do her bit to save our planet.
I must admit the author Isabel certainly gave me many ideas and brought things to my attention that I hadn’t even thought about, for example we all have in our houses too many plastic biros, don’t we ? but in fact we can all swap them piles of plastic pens for a metal pen.
Another thing I hadn’t really thought about is all the plastic cups we are given in coffee bars like Costa. You can take a small flask with you and get a coffee bar to pour your coffee into that. Don’t take plastic crap from anyone is Isabel’s motto and now I couldn’t agree more.
Now with the Coronavirus we are adding more plastic to our planet as we are told to wash our hands more and sanitizer more, both have plastic bottles if you use hand wash.
The Joyful environmentalist is very educational and very worth reading, with plenty more reading about and discovering things you would never know about without reading this book.
I also found at the back of the book the more interesting things that I have never known about such endnotes and further reading about if you want to increase your understanding of how climate change has been caused. Something that I found so important that there is a page about ten environmental charities.
I started reading The Joyful Environmentalist, as soon as it landed on my door mat. I was so much into this book that I didn’t even notice the time had way passed my normal bed time and then finished the rest off the next day.
Isabel Losada is a radical environmentalist, who has been reading about the climate change. Isobel has written this book in a way that anyone who reads it will find ideas how to save the planet. This book has also been written as Isabel’s singled minded focus and with every solution she could find to stop using plastic, and parts you all will find incredible funny.
What author Isabel Losada, is not trying to do here is tell people to change the way you live and save the climate change. She is simply describing in her well written book how Isabel took the time to change the way she lives thinking about how she can do her bit to save our planet.
I must admit the author Isabel certainly gave me many ideas and brought things to my attention that I hadn’t even thought about, for example we all have in our houses too many plastic biros, don’t we ? but in fact we can all swap them piles of plastic pens for a metal pen.
Another thing I hadn’t really thought about is all the plastic cups we are given in coffee bars like Costa. You can take a small flask with you and get a coffee bar to pour your coffee into that. Don’t take plastic crap from anyone is Isabel’s motto and now I couldn’t agree more.
Now with the Coronavirus we are adding more plastic to our planet as we are told to wash our hands more and sanitizer more, both have plastic bottles if you use hand wash.
The Joyful environmentalist is very educational and very worth reading, with plenty more reading about and discovering things you would never know about without reading this book.
I also found at the back of the book the more interesting things that I have never known about such endnotes and further reading about if you want to increase your understanding of how climate change has been caused. Something that I found so important that there is a page about ten environmental charities.
April 15, 2020
Brilliant book that is inspiring and incredibly helpful for those of us trying to live in a more environmentally aware fashion. It covers really interesting topics we all have some awareness of, such as organic food and trying to cut down on plastics, but it’s so much more than that. Isabel talks about environmentally friendly fashion, banking, food, and plants trees in Scotland as well as visiting those teaching others how to live in a sustainable way. It really has got me thinking about who I bank with and how that fits in with what I believe, as well as other small changes I can make. As the author says, even one person can make a difference and I really like that idea.
I love all of Isabel’s books, and the main reason is that she writes about a topic after experiencing it, and this book is no different. She gets involved from the beginning and it’s such a joy to read. I was given an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
I love all of Isabel’s books, and the main reason is that she writes about a topic after experiencing it, and this book is no different. She gets involved from the beginning and it’s such a joy to read. I was given an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 18, 2021
I did enjoy this book however I don't know if I would agree with the 'practise without preaching' tagline. It did feel quite preachy and I also got a slight feeling that the author thought she had a moral high ground. I also found it odd to hear an environmentalist giving praise to companies that participate in and support hunting for sport yet slate people for not going completely vegan instantly or companies serving organic food in plastic. She seems to pick and choose what to ignore as it suits her. Still there were lots of good ideas and I think for anyone that is relatively new (maybe not a beginner) to being an environmentalist it could be really informative
May 28, 2025
I did not read all of this joyless book. It is a lot of moaning and complaining and generally "Karen" like behaviour on top of admitting lack of knowledge in some important subjects. We know the world is in a mess but I don't feel living in the dark by candle light is going to make a difference. I agree with her topics and follow most of them (no car, no meat, only buy things you really need/want) but there was not much new and not much that would really make a difference unless there is global buy-in. I want to know how I can really make a positive change, not spending all my time searching for a wooden toothbrush.
July 1, 2021
Isabel Losada proves that a book about environment and climate change can be both informative and fun. Kudos to the author for presenting such important topics in a manner which is appealing to the mass and practical. The best thing about this book is Losada has experienced everything first hand and she is giving out some pratical solutions. Instead of spewing out facts she tells about her experiences. Also she brings out how we are being misled by the commercial industries into causing plastic pollution. Her resolution on minimising plastic waste is so commendable. How making small changes like carrying your own cutlery and bottles etc can make a huge difference. Every change even the smallest matters. Her motto of practicing what you preach is something all of us should work on. Only then can we save our planet. Working towards a greener plant need not feel like a burden or a task, rather it should be joyful.
March 16, 2023
What Ramachandra Guha would call “full stomach environmentalism” (basically, environmentalism that isn’t aware of the contours of class or privilege). Let’s turn to:
“Plastic bottles for water. Are you kidding? Tap water is perfectly safe and has to be rigorously tested. Do your own research. Come to your own conclusions, but buy one portable water carrier (not made of plastic) - and use it for the rest of your life. I have a local friend on benefits. She really struggles with money. But she buys two bottles of water in plastic bottles a day. She spends over 820 [pounds] a year on buying water. I tease her that she must be very rich and point out that I drink tap water every day and don't seem to have died. But there is nothing I can do to persuade her to stop wasting her money and polluting the planet. As you may imagine, I've tried. But please - don't buy water or any carbonated drinks in plastic bottles.” (Plastic 3)
I can’t believe at no point did anyone in the chain of command (proofreaders, editors, marketers) point out to Losada how incredibly… classist and uncharitable and unjoyful this is. I wonder if Losada has ever asked her friend why she continues to buy water. Is it because she lives in an area with poor maintenance/rusty pipes and therefore unsanitary tap water? Is it because she can’t afford the lump sum that comes with installing a filter? Is it because she does work that doesn’t allow her to carry around a water bottle all day (so she has to settle for disposable bottles)? I just feel like painting such a caricature of someone is such a profoundly ugly thing to do. There are very real cases where one has limited access to safe drinking water, and bottled water is the only option (for an example of this, read Vandana K’s account of this in Plastic Free, where she shares about how she had no choice but to depend on 20L and 5L single-use bottles of water because of water shortage and contamination in New Delhi).
In the rest of the chapter, Losada also has no nuance between single-use plastics and household plastics either (something that almost ALL plastic-free advocates do). If you have a plastic lunchbox, the most sustainable thing isn’t to throw it away and buy a glass one — it’s always to use what you already have…
Also it’s astounding that after a frustrating encounter with the the nonsensical and non-standardised metrics of the EPC (Energy Proficiency Certificate) Losada comes to the conclusion that the way to be more environmental is… to change your lightbulbs and spend thousands on insulation*. I personally would have suggested advocating for more standardisation of EPC metrics and supporting policymakers and researchers who are currently doing such work, but to each their own I guess.
IDK I just… I just. I just feel like Losada could have written such a good book because there were very moving chapters of her finding community and doing meaningful, socially-oriented work with a group of like-minded people, but more often than not you just get stories of her harassing minimum wage workers for failing to provide reusable cutlery when she shows full awareness elsewhere that they don’t make the policies like. You should be asking your local government to ban single-use plastic or supporting advocacy groups working in that direction instead of haranguing the poor person on shift… anyway. This is reminding me of my former friend, an environmentalist who works at an ice cream shop and it’s making me a bit sad so I shall stop and turn in for the night. I have a feeling he wouldn’t like this book either.
* there is nothing wrong with upgrading your house to be more energy efficient, it is just an immense privilege to do so and I think everyone needs to recognise that if people cannot insulate their houses, more often than not it has to do with economic reasons rather than an apathy about climate change.
“Plastic bottles for water. Are you kidding? Tap water is perfectly safe and has to be rigorously tested. Do your own research. Come to your own conclusions, but buy one portable water carrier (not made of plastic) - and use it for the rest of your life. I have a local friend on benefits. She really struggles with money. But she buys two bottles of water in plastic bottles a day. She spends over 820 [pounds] a year on buying water. I tease her that she must be very rich and point out that I drink tap water every day and don't seem to have died. But there is nothing I can do to persuade her to stop wasting her money and polluting the planet. As you may imagine, I've tried. But please - don't buy water or any carbonated drinks in plastic bottles.” (Plastic 3)
I can’t believe at no point did anyone in the chain of command (proofreaders, editors, marketers) point out to Losada how incredibly… classist and uncharitable and unjoyful this is. I wonder if Losada has ever asked her friend why she continues to buy water. Is it because she lives in an area with poor maintenance/rusty pipes and therefore unsanitary tap water? Is it because she can’t afford the lump sum that comes with installing a filter? Is it because she does work that doesn’t allow her to carry around a water bottle all day (so she has to settle for disposable bottles)? I just feel like painting such a caricature of someone is such a profoundly ugly thing to do. There are very real cases where one has limited access to safe drinking water, and bottled water is the only option (for an example of this, read Vandana K’s account of this in Plastic Free, where she shares about how she had no choice but to depend on 20L and 5L single-use bottles of water because of water shortage and contamination in New Delhi).
In the rest of the chapter, Losada also has no nuance between single-use plastics and household plastics either (something that almost ALL plastic-free advocates do). If you have a plastic lunchbox, the most sustainable thing isn’t to throw it away and buy a glass one — it’s always to use what you already have…
Also it’s astounding that after a frustrating encounter with the the nonsensical and non-standardised metrics of the EPC (Energy Proficiency Certificate) Losada comes to the conclusion that the way to be more environmental is… to change your lightbulbs and spend thousands on insulation*. I personally would have suggested advocating for more standardisation of EPC metrics and supporting policymakers and researchers who are currently doing such work, but to each their own I guess.
IDK I just… I just. I just feel like Losada could have written such a good book because there were very moving chapters of her finding community and doing meaningful, socially-oriented work with a group of like-minded people, but more often than not you just get stories of her harassing minimum wage workers for failing to provide reusable cutlery when she shows full awareness elsewhere that they don’t make the policies like. You should be asking your local government to ban single-use plastic or supporting advocacy groups working in that direction instead of haranguing the poor person on shift… anyway. This is reminding me of my former friend, an environmentalist who works at an ice cream shop and it’s making me a bit sad so I shall stop and turn in for the night. I have a feeling he wouldn’t like this book either.
* there is nothing wrong with upgrading your house to be more energy efficient, it is just an immense privilege to do so and I think everyone needs to recognise that if people cannot insulate their houses, more often than not it has to do with economic reasons rather than an apathy about climate change.
April 5, 2020
I have just read the final manuscript of this book and really enjoyed it. Isabel proves to be a wise and witty guide for those of us looking for ways to make our planet a better place to live. In part this is a series of informative interviews with environmental luminaries such as Isabella Tree of 'Rewilding' fame; Safia Minney, founder of the pioneering fashion label People Tree; and Guy Singh-Watson the creator of the Riverford veg boxes.
It is also a description of Isabel's own hands-on attempts to become a better environmentalist. I was greatly amused by her struggles to learn how to plant trees in Scotland; to try and persuade a manager from Whole Foods to let her have a metal fork with which to eat her lunch (she fails) and, above all, the story of her becoming an Extinction Rebellion Drummer to protest against climate change.
As she says in her introduction, there are 'short bits and long bits' in this book and the reader is encouraged to dip in and out. What's in no doubt is that there will be something here for everyone to enjoy.
It is also a description of Isabel's own hands-on attempts to become a better environmentalist. I was greatly amused by her struggles to learn how to plant trees in Scotland; to try and persuade a manager from Whole Foods to let her have a metal fork with which to eat her lunch (she fails) and, above all, the story of her becoming an Extinction Rebellion Drummer to protest against climate change.
As she says in her introduction, there are 'short bits and long bits' in this book and the reader is encouraged to dip in and out. What's in no doubt is that there will be something here for everyone to enjoy.
May 15, 2021
PLEASE DO NOT FEEL ANY ANIMALS VEGAN PRODUCE ESPECIALLY WILD ANIMALS UNLESS THAT IS THEIR NATURAL DIET. Birds need fat and meat for a healthy diet, if you don’t want to buy it then either find some ethically sourced or don’t buy it and feed them something else. This wasn’t researched with the animals in mind - rather human interests. I found the author wrote like she was higher than others and rather preachy when it was it was just a bit cringy. To influence people you have to do things in a relatable and easy way - getting rid of cars is not a good suggestion for this. Instead she could have suggested for people who need cars to move towards electric cars. This was not helpful and too extreme for the current situation - it most likely will not help people who have absolutely no experience with being environmentally friendly and will make them feel like the small things they do isn’t enough. This is not true, every small thing helps, make small changes over time.
June 21, 2020
From voting to gardening to choosing your bank and energy providers, Losada provides readers with practical tips to make our every day lives more environmentally friendly.
I really enjoyed this book and the way Losada provides tips while telling engaging stories about her own experiences making her own life more environmentally friendly. Many of the ideas outlined in this book are easy to implement in your every day life and are also great for beginners who are just starting to take steps to becoming environmentalists.
*Review copy provided via NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book and the way Losada provides tips while telling engaging stories about her own experiences making her own life more environmentally friendly. Many of the ideas outlined in this book are easy to implement in your every day life and are also great for beginners who are just starting to take steps to becoming environmentalists.
*Review copy provided via NetGalley
November 26, 2022
I have spent a few years working on my environmental footprint and found new ideas in an easily digestible format, good read and informative
May 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having cunningly obtained an advance copy. Its humorous, conversational tone makes for a highly accessible foray into the world of environmentalism for the novice and seasoned alike, providing a wealth of information garnered from the author’s various interviews, investigations, field-trips and - sometimes failed - attempts at ‘going green’. Highlights include canvassing for the Green Party, an interview with the founder of Riverford Organic, drumming for Extinction Rebellion’s samba band during the London protests, and planting trees in Scotland - all peppered with useful tips on how to lower your carbon footprint (like going to bed when it’s dark and - my favourite - skipping, instead of driving, to school). Highly recommended!
August 22, 2023
For the first few chapters this book does come across as a little preachy (despite the title explicitly saying it was not). Losada’s environmentalism seemed a little glib - it was about buying hemp shower curtains, and reading poetry by candlelight, and I bristled a little bit that she was able to go vegan and live without a car and have a weekly delivery of organic vegetables without any struggles with any of it. I caught myself muttering about middle class women working from home in a city well served by public transport more than once, and could think of lots of reasons why it wasn’t for me,
But I developed a new respect for her in the chapters where she joined Extinction Rebellion and went out canvassing for the Green Party, both of which were neither easy nor comfortable. I wonder perhaps whether her tone has been slightly determined by the “joyful” in the title, which doesn’t really broker much space for struggle.
And I concede that some of my criticism may have been my resistance against making some of those difficult choices that would make my life less comfortable. In all, glad I read it.
But I developed a new respect for her in the chapters where she joined Extinction Rebellion and went out canvassing for the Green Party, both of which were neither easy nor comfortable. I wonder perhaps whether her tone has been slightly determined by the “joyful” in the title, which doesn’t really broker much space for struggle.
And I concede that some of my criticism may have been my resistance against making some of those difficult choices that would make my life less comfortable. In all, glad I read it.
February 21, 2021
I recommend this book to anyone, as the climate crisis concerns us all and anyone can make a difference. The book was both informative and interesting to read, inspiring and sometimes sad. I took notes on how I can implement changes in my life to live more sustainably and to care for the planet, from food, to fashion, to avoiding plastic. I found joy in reading the parts about enjoying the wildlife, nature, and candle-lit power cuts. Being in nature is therapeutic and rejuvenating to me, and I hope that by taking interest, implementing some changes, and caring about our carbon footprint, we will be able to protect the ecosystem. I can't wait for spring so I can tend to the strawberries in the backyard and plant some flowers that bees like. Also, my country privatised the energy market this year and so the chapters about renewable energy were relevant as we have to choose a provider in the following months and I will be now researching if we have any renewable energy on the market.
October 13, 2020
I have no idea why it’s taking me so long to get around to this review because I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Isabel Losada takes the intimidating and impractical seeming idea of ‘sustainable living’ and turns into something joyful. Through helpful how-to’s and a mishmash of inspiring experiences, disturbing facts this book provides real, constructive ways to make your environmental footprint a little smaller. Her personal journey on the never-ending path of living sustainably is told to you gently, as a non-judgemental friend as she coaches and convinces you that you can really make a difference.
“Don’t be discouraged by people saying your actions are just a drop in the ocean. What’s an ocean except millions upon millions of drops?”
The dual focus on inspiration and practicality throughout is a winning combination. Some parts are to-do lists and don’t lists, which she encourages you to take one by one. You can start small, with a toothbrush or some tote bags and once you’ve mastered one step move onto the next. The crucial bit is that you’re moving and improving your relationship with our planet. Other sections are vibrant storytellings of her own journeys seeking solutions through involvement with peaceful protesters Extinction Rebellion and conversations with leading experts on natural and biodynamic farming practices, sustainable fashion and clean energy.
She takes extreme care to make the challenge an entertaining one, almost to the point of celebration. After reading, you feel even more passionately that the cause worth of your time, effort and energy. It’s impossible to do overnight, but through careful, conscious consideration, childlike positivity and determination it becomes manageable and rewarding.
Isabel’s research is thorough and informative on what our world is doing wrong. She outlines the areas where we’re going wrong, where we’ve been tricked and tripped into using and wanting more than we need. Behind each shocking fact, she makes sure to provide a practical solution. I certainly didn’t finish this book feeling daunted, like a gauntlet had been thrown or a ticking countdown started (although this technically is true). I felt energised and that hopeful energy has stayed with me as I moved into my own space and I seized the challenge! My environmentalism still isn’t perfect but the most important thing is that I’m still moving forward with it. I regularly refer to my notes on this brilliant book to be inspired anew. So truly, thank you Isabel!
My rating: 5 stars!
My recommendation of this book is universal. Although environmentalism will always be a complicated and (I believe unintentionally) classist movement, due to the consumer capitalist world in which we live, there are still important tips and inspiring stories that we can all take away from this read.
Isabel Losada takes the intimidating and impractical seeming idea of ‘sustainable living’ and turns into something joyful. Through helpful how-to’s and a mishmash of inspiring experiences, disturbing facts this book provides real, constructive ways to make your environmental footprint a little smaller. Her personal journey on the never-ending path of living sustainably is told to you gently, as a non-judgemental friend as she coaches and convinces you that you can really make a difference.
“Don’t be discouraged by people saying your actions are just a drop in the ocean. What’s an ocean except millions upon millions of drops?”
The dual focus on inspiration and practicality throughout is a winning combination. Some parts are to-do lists and don’t lists, which she encourages you to take one by one. You can start small, with a toothbrush or some tote bags and once you’ve mastered one step move onto the next. The crucial bit is that you’re moving and improving your relationship with our planet. Other sections are vibrant storytellings of her own journeys seeking solutions through involvement with peaceful protesters Extinction Rebellion and conversations with leading experts on natural and biodynamic farming practices, sustainable fashion and clean energy.
She takes extreme care to make the challenge an entertaining one, almost to the point of celebration. After reading, you feel even more passionately that the cause worth of your time, effort and energy. It’s impossible to do overnight, but through careful, conscious consideration, childlike positivity and determination it becomes manageable and rewarding.
Isabel’s research is thorough and informative on what our world is doing wrong. She outlines the areas where we’re going wrong, where we’ve been tricked and tripped into using and wanting more than we need. Behind each shocking fact, she makes sure to provide a practical solution. I certainly didn’t finish this book feeling daunted, like a gauntlet had been thrown or a ticking countdown started (although this technically is true). I felt energised and that hopeful energy has stayed with me as I moved into my own space and I seized the challenge! My environmentalism still isn’t perfect but the most important thing is that I’m still moving forward with it. I regularly refer to my notes on this brilliant book to be inspired anew. So truly, thank you Isabel!
My rating: 5 stars!
My recommendation of this book is universal. Although environmentalism will always be a complicated and (I believe unintentionally) classist movement, due to the consumer capitalist world in which we live, there are still important tips and inspiring stories that we can all take away from this read.
April 9, 2020
I wish to thank Isabel Losada, Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Joyful Environmentalist How to Practise without Preaching in exchange for an honest review.
This is an engaging read; Isabel Losada has a gift in the way she communicates, upbeat and light hearted. From her frustration at the lack of reusable cutlery, her productive tick infested volunteering in the Scottish highlands and the many suggestions offered to replace plastics, Isabel gets the message out there. The interview with Guy Singh –Watson is impressive, he tells it as it is.
The accounts of the Extinction Rebellion meeting and protests were written with positivity and highlighted the importance of this activism. I was disappointed in the anecdotal evidence regarding RF-EMF exposure from smart metres. I like to see cited peer reviewed evidence based research when claims are made and when statistics are used to make a point, evidence is everything.
This book didn’t leave me joyous. For me, the lack of political will and the escalating environmental crisis is joyless. I am left with some optimism stemming from the dedication, intelligence and power of the emerging generation.
This is an engaging read; Isabel Losada has a gift in the way she communicates, upbeat and light hearted. From her frustration at the lack of reusable cutlery, her productive tick infested volunteering in the Scottish highlands and the many suggestions offered to replace plastics, Isabel gets the message out there. The interview with Guy Singh –Watson is impressive, he tells it as it is.
The accounts of the Extinction Rebellion meeting and protests were written with positivity and highlighted the importance of this activism. I was disappointed in the anecdotal evidence regarding RF-EMF exposure from smart metres. I like to see cited peer reviewed evidence based research when claims are made and when statistics are used to make a point, evidence is everything.
This book didn’t leave me joyous. For me, the lack of political will and the escalating environmental crisis is joyless. I am left with some optimism stemming from the dedication, intelligence and power of the emerging generation.
April 4, 2020
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book and it really is excellent. It's informative, inspiring and very readable. The topic is close to my heart but this book makes a discussion of the environment accessible and the prospect of making changes to support the planet genuinely exciting. It is a super contribution to writing on the environment but it is also a book about living, learning and finding joy in places you might not expect it. I've read other books by this author and this was equally engaging, well researched and beautifully written.
August 28, 2025
I’m closing this book with a head full of tangible changes I can make to support the environment and feeling excited to do so!
July 31, 2022
I did really love this book which didn’t surprise me having loved her previous books. I haven’t read a book on environmentalism for a while and enjoyed hearing her take on how to reconcile the conflicting information you get about the best decisions to take!
She interviews brilliant people in the book and visits very impressive projects.
Isabel is very self deprecating esp when she is knows she is being a tad self-righteous or very earnest. The only downside is that this is written as a middle class take on this topic. It doesn’t really deal with the fact that a lot of solutions taken aren’t available for people on lower incomes. It is hinted on but privilege is not fully explored in this.
She interviews brilliant people in the book and visits very impressive projects.
Isabel is very self deprecating esp when she is knows she is being a tad self-righteous or very earnest. The only downside is that this is written as a middle class take on this topic. It doesn’t really deal with the fact that a lot of solutions taken aren’t available for people on lower incomes. It is hinted on but privilege is not fully explored in this.
Read
August 2, 2020This is a book which is accessible to those who know little and want to know more, those who know a lot and are seeking validation/a sense of community with like minded souls, and pretty much anyone in between.
Through interviews with people such as Guy Singh-Watson, experiences such as visiting Knepp Castle and Lammas, the eco village, Isabel examines the impact that humans have had, and continue to have, on the planet whilst looking at ways we can support it, ourselves and organisations that place climate concerns front and centre.
Her mission is simple-to highlight as many ways from small (giving up plastic bottles of water) to big (changing banks) that we can implement to helo the environment.
It is not done in the new parlance of passive/aggressive guilt tripping 'try harder', 'do better', 'educate yourself, but not like that'.
It is done in a signposting way that takes the parts of your life-where you shop, where you eat, how you spend your money etc-and offers actionable alternatives.
There is , to this reader's mind, an element of narcissism both from the reader and the writer's persepctive.
From the reader, I had to challenge my willingness to read a book which came from a place of wanting to learn more, whilst also wanting to see my own efforts acknowledged within these pages. You done good kid, made up for your terrible contribution towards the world by having 5 children by buying second hand where possible, recycling, supporting local wildlife, reducing conspicuous consumption and growing our own herbs/fruit/veg where we can. Give yourself a pat on the back every time you tick off something you are doing that Isabel writes about.
Part of that is from a conspicuous awareness that the environment we live in is rapidly shrinking, and part of it is because it is ingrained in us,my family, as working class people who were raised in poverty, and have learnt to manage without things most people would take for granted. We live in social housing,we still live in relative poverty in a town where people who were born here can no longer afford to buy homes, but at least we all have a garden.
For example, when my eldest daughter was a baby, in the late 1990's,everything was washed by hand, I had no fridge, no cooker, and had to shop every day.These items were seen as 'luxuries' And now 'handwashing' is seen as an ethical choice. The middle ground could be said to be having a second hand washing machine and using it responsibly.
There is a part where the author is canvassing for the Green Party, and talks to someone whose voting choice is explained away as being 'inbred and ingrained'. The narcissism on the behalf of the writer is her joy in having changed, or having anyone considering changing, their vote because of her campaigning. And this is reflected quite a few times in the book, for example her friend on benefits who uses plastic water bottles, the buying of organic vegetable boxes-'people can cut back elsewhere to afford this',the virtues of a plant based diet.
That is all well and good but when the town you live in has limited resources,and you don't drive, are unemployed etc, shopping online via Ocado is not really a resourceful solution. And sometimes, your postcode precludes a Waitrose delivery. When you are on a limited income and limited time,the idea of knitting your own yoghurt is not an attractive one.
Going to the Scottish Highlands to plant trees read like the best experience in the world, who wouldn't want to begiving something back to mother nature.But how many of us could afford to do that? How would we get there? What is the carbon footprint of travelling across the UK to plant trees? Do the two things cancel each other out?
What if actually shopping at Primark after spending nearly 40 hours a week at a soul destroying job sparks joy? Where is this poverty shaming that has come into focus , exemplified in the pictures of queues on social media when they re-opened branches following lockdown coming from? For some, this was their only option to clothe their family in one visit and avoid buying items from places which have turned out to be even more unethical (*cough*BooHoo*cough)
You can fix and mend clothes,only if you have been taught how to do so, been led by example or are able seek out these wonderful makers online who will have tutorials/ books etc. For example,Jenniffer Taylor and Make It Better are just two such forces riding a wave of sustainable, recycled and ethical fashion which embraces individuality.
Part of this is because we have absolutely gotten out of touch with where our clothes come from, but part of this is also because we have lost elemental skills.
Disposable fast fashion is an environmental disaster, absolutely, but there are companies which are trying to provide sustainable solutions and fight modern day slavery in the UK and abroad. Companies such as Lost Stock Box are trying to directly profit Bangladeshi workers,local wardrobe swaps initiatives and upcycling are gathering momentum and creatives are coming together to share spaces and makes-The Sustainable Studio is just one of them. Charity shops are great but we have found that the prices of clothes are such that they are often not much less than brand new ones, and also not in great condition.
So here is a suggested middle ground-buy some basics from big shops, top up with second hand buys and recycle everything else. Ebay is a source of great clothes for children who grow so quickly and for some odd reason don't like you adding frills and fabric to the bottom of their clothes to make them last longer (a personal experiment gone awry!) Pants can be cut into dusters, bras can be recycled and anything beyond repair can also be used to either support charities OR be put for kerbside collection alongside recycling bags. These are small changes we can make, by sharing our knowledge and thereby our collective responsibility.
I found that I was swept along with Isabel's infectious enthusiasm up until the point at which the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations were covered in great detail. My visceral reaction to this was 2-fold. Firstly, the demonstrations occurred , locally to us, on the same week that my entire school of nursing graduated. All the hard work and achievements of our class graduation, with families travelling from all the the country were completely sidetracked by closed roads, load, obsteperous demonstrations and yes, it made me very angry. We were by no means the only class graduating that week, so the choice to demonstrate outside Cardiff City Hall affected 1000's of students and their families was done to make maximum impact.
Secondly, and this was acknowldeged a little, the privilege of these individuals really, really rankled. Can you imagine being unemployed and saying to your Job Seeker person that the reasn you weren't looking for work was because you went to London and spent a week at a protest? Or asking your employer for time off, or forgoing a week's wage?It is the remit of the wealthy, the priviliged and,in the majority, the white to make all that noise, the same as those with money are able to go 'off grid', buy land, build your own home and so on and so forth. And it is not the media's reporting of this that smacked of self-indulgence, but these chapters which really felt narcissistic and smug.
''Can we disconnect ourselves from the system that we don't want to be a part of?''
No, no we can't. This system which we are fighting against provides us with opportunities without which we could not stand up and use such voices. Otherwise , for example,ethical authors would not being selling their books on Amazon, they would recognise that the workers are not well treated, it is not a humanistic business model and they would only sell via independent book shops. However, this is not a realistic goal especially for people trying to spread their messages as far and wide as possible. In order to do so, we have to buy a way into these systems with as little compromise to our morals as possible.
And this is where this book succeeds, it is frank, honest and admirable. It signposts ways to be an activist,and shows Isabel's absolute joy in being able to effect change in her life, I didn't feel that it avoided preachiness altogether, however, it did try.
My favourite bit is at the very beginning, where eating in a cafe that is supposedly enviro-friendly, is unable to offer her a non plastic fork based on the health and safety aspect. Her resulting outrage-whilst acknowledging her chagrin that her food is wasted by demanding a refund-is cut through with one simple line from the woman at the till, 'You have to bring your own fork'.
And this is the ultimate lesson that she teaches and which has lingered after finishing reading it-bring your own implement and start digging.
Through interviews with people such as Guy Singh-Watson, experiences such as visiting Knepp Castle and Lammas, the eco village, Isabel examines the impact that humans have had, and continue to have, on the planet whilst looking at ways we can support it, ourselves and organisations that place climate concerns front and centre.
Her mission is simple-to highlight as many ways from small (giving up plastic bottles of water) to big (changing banks) that we can implement to helo the environment.
It is not done in the new parlance of passive/aggressive guilt tripping 'try harder', 'do better', 'educate yourself, but not like that'.
It is done in a signposting way that takes the parts of your life-where you shop, where you eat, how you spend your money etc-and offers actionable alternatives.
There is , to this reader's mind, an element of narcissism both from the reader and the writer's persepctive.
From the reader, I had to challenge my willingness to read a book which came from a place of wanting to learn more, whilst also wanting to see my own efforts acknowledged within these pages. You done good kid, made up for your terrible contribution towards the world by having 5 children by buying second hand where possible, recycling, supporting local wildlife, reducing conspicuous consumption and growing our own herbs/fruit/veg where we can. Give yourself a pat on the back every time you tick off something you are doing that Isabel writes about.
Part of that is from a conspicuous awareness that the environment we live in is rapidly shrinking, and part of it is because it is ingrained in us,my family, as working class people who were raised in poverty, and have learnt to manage without things most people would take for granted. We live in social housing,we still live in relative poverty in a town where people who were born here can no longer afford to buy homes, but at least we all have a garden.
For example, when my eldest daughter was a baby, in the late 1990's,everything was washed by hand, I had no fridge, no cooker, and had to shop every day.These items were seen as 'luxuries' And now 'handwashing' is seen as an ethical choice. The middle ground could be said to be having a second hand washing machine and using it responsibly.
There is a part where the author is canvassing for the Green Party, and talks to someone whose voting choice is explained away as being 'inbred and ingrained'. The narcissism on the behalf of the writer is her joy in having changed, or having anyone considering changing, their vote because of her campaigning. And this is reflected quite a few times in the book, for example her friend on benefits who uses plastic water bottles, the buying of organic vegetable boxes-'people can cut back elsewhere to afford this',the virtues of a plant based diet.
That is all well and good but when the town you live in has limited resources,and you don't drive, are unemployed etc, shopping online via Ocado is not really a resourceful solution. And sometimes, your postcode precludes a Waitrose delivery. When you are on a limited income and limited time,the idea of knitting your own yoghurt is not an attractive one.
Going to the Scottish Highlands to plant trees read like the best experience in the world, who wouldn't want to begiving something back to mother nature.But how many of us could afford to do that? How would we get there? What is the carbon footprint of travelling across the UK to plant trees? Do the two things cancel each other out?
What if actually shopping at Primark after spending nearly 40 hours a week at a soul destroying job sparks joy? Where is this poverty shaming that has come into focus , exemplified in the pictures of queues on social media when they re-opened branches following lockdown coming from? For some, this was their only option to clothe their family in one visit and avoid buying items from places which have turned out to be even more unethical (*cough*BooHoo*cough)
You can fix and mend clothes,only if you have been taught how to do so, been led by example or are able seek out these wonderful makers online who will have tutorials/ books etc. For example,Jenniffer Taylor and Make It Better are just two such forces riding a wave of sustainable, recycled and ethical fashion which embraces individuality.
Part of this is because we have absolutely gotten out of touch with where our clothes come from, but part of this is also because we have lost elemental skills.
Disposable fast fashion is an environmental disaster, absolutely, but there are companies which are trying to provide sustainable solutions and fight modern day slavery in the UK and abroad. Companies such as Lost Stock Box are trying to directly profit Bangladeshi workers,local wardrobe swaps initiatives and upcycling are gathering momentum and creatives are coming together to share spaces and makes-The Sustainable Studio is just one of them. Charity shops are great but we have found that the prices of clothes are such that they are often not much less than brand new ones, and also not in great condition.
So here is a suggested middle ground-buy some basics from big shops, top up with second hand buys and recycle everything else. Ebay is a source of great clothes for children who grow so quickly and for some odd reason don't like you adding frills and fabric to the bottom of their clothes to make them last longer (a personal experiment gone awry!) Pants can be cut into dusters, bras can be recycled and anything beyond repair can also be used to either support charities OR be put for kerbside collection alongside recycling bags. These are small changes we can make, by sharing our knowledge and thereby our collective responsibility.
I found that I was swept along with Isabel's infectious enthusiasm up until the point at which the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations were covered in great detail. My visceral reaction to this was 2-fold. Firstly, the demonstrations occurred , locally to us, on the same week that my entire school of nursing graduated. All the hard work and achievements of our class graduation, with families travelling from all the the country were completely sidetracked by closed roads, load, obsteperous demonstrations and yes, it made me very angry. We were by no means the only class graduating that week, so the choice to demonstrate outside Cardiff City Hall affected 1000's of students and their families was done to make maximum impact.
Secondly, and this was acknowldeged a little, the privilege of these individuals really, really rankled. Can you imagine being unemployed and saying to your Job Seeker person that the reasn you weren't looking for work was because you went to London and spent a week at a protest? Or asking your employer for time off, or forgoing a week's wage?It is the remit of the wealthy, the priviliged and,in the majority, the white to make all that noise, the same as those with money are able to go 'off grid', buy land, build your own home and so on and so forth. And it is not the media's reporting of this that smacked of self-indulgence, but these chapters which really felt narcissistic and smug.
''Can we disconnect ourselves from the system that we don't want to be a part of?''
No, no we can't. This system which we are fighting against provides us with opportunities without which we could not stand up and use such voices. Otherwise , for example,ethical authors would not being selling their books on Amazon, they would recognise that the workers are not well treated, it is not a humanistic business model and they would only sell via independent book shops. However, this is not a realistic goal especially for people trying to spread their messages as far and wide as possible. In order to do so, we have to buy a way into these systems with as little compromise to our morals as possible.
And this is where this book succeeds, it is frank, honest and admirable. It signposts ways to be an activist,and shows Isabel's absolute joy in being able to effect change in her life, I didn't feel that it avoided preachiness altogether, however, it did try.
My favourite bit is at the very beginning, where eating in a cafe that is supposedly enviro-friendly, is unable to offer her a non plastic fork based on the health and safety aspect. Her resulting outrage-whilst acknowledging her chagrin that her food is wasted by demanding a refund-is cut through with one simple line from the woman at the till, 'You have to bring your own fork'.
And this is the ultimate lesson that she teaches and which has lingered after finishing reading it-bring your own implement and start digging.
July 5, 2024
Note - Better book option at end of review.
Did not live up to the title or the: "This is the feel-good book for anyone who loves nature and believes that one person can make a huge difference" blurb.
I picked the book because I thought it would be a joyful book about sustainable, environmentally friendly, ethical living, everything it actually seemed not to be.
It started with Losada ranting at employees at Whole Foods over plastic forks, (bring your own metal cutlery if you know they provide plastic?) which already made me question my choice of book..
Losada then launched into an in-depth description of her time volunteering in Scotland planting trees..
Finally (for me, as this is where I gave up and skimmed the next chapter or so to solidify my decision to stop reading), Losada made a long list of items people should absolutely not be using any more.
Losada claimed in her introduction that it was a book of solutions, but her solutions were mostly for those who have the ability, finances and infrastructure to live as she does. You either buy electric or don't own a car. Those are your options. This might be practical for some, but not others. There didn't seem to be any grey areas in what I read, even though the world is full of grey.
With language like "are you kidding?", I found that far from being an inspirational and a joyful look at environmentalism or sustainability, it was a "do better" "educate yourself" high-horsed, black and white view of environmentalism which tends to be the type that turns everyone off.
If you want a book that actually puts forward a light and inspiring, non-judgemental joyful look at sustainability, I highly highly recommend Kate Hall's book 'Better Bolder, Different'!
Did not live up to the title or the: "This is the feel-good book for anyone who loves nature and believes that one person can make a huge difference" blurb.
I picked the book because I thought it would be a joyful book about sustainable, environmentally friendly, ethical living, everything it actually seemed not to be.
It started with Losada ranting at employees at Whole Foods over plastic forks, (bring your own metal cutlery if you know they provide plastic?) which already made me question my choice of book..
Losada then launched into an in-depth description of her time volunteering in Scotland planting trees..
Finally (for me, as this is where I gave up and skimmed the next chapter or so to solidify my decision to stop reading), Losada made a long list of items people should absolutely not be using any more.
Losada claimed in her introduction that it was a book of solutions, but her solutions were mostly for those who have the ability, finances and infrastructure to live as she does. You either buy electric or don't own a car. Those are your options. This might be practical for some, but not others. There didn't seem to be any grey areas in what I read, even though the world is full of grey.
With language like "are you kidding?", I found that far from being an inspirational and a joyful look at environmentalism or sustainability, it was a "do better" "educate yourself" high-horsed, black and white view of environmentalism which tends to be the type that turns everyone off.
If you want a book that actually puts forward a light and inspiring, non-judgemental joyful look at sustainability, I highly highly recommend Kate Hall's book 'Better Bolder, Different'!
May 5, 2020
The Joyful Environmentalist: How to Practice without Preaching
It is always nice to read a lighthearted climate change book. I’m really into the books as to what an individual can do as to not get bogged down in OCD (obsessive climate disorder) quoted from this novel. Takeaway - small differences matter, find your thing!
Losada’s voice is upbeat, inspiring, and easy to read (she adds in a lot of hahas, likes her wine, and will often put in full interviews/conversations). The drumming part dragged for me, and the chapters in no particular order hurt my brain a little but overall I really enjoyed this novel. There is a lot of UK specific data and recs given the author’s home (as said before would love to read more about the US in the same fashion). It also really makes me want to move up Isabella Tree’s Wilding novel from my TBR as there is a chapter based on her “rewilding” land.
Cover is beautiful too.
Out in July 2020.
It is always nice to read a lighthearted climate change book. I’m really into the books as to what an individual can do as to not get bogged down in OCD (obsessive climate disorder) quoted from this novel. Takeaway - small differences matter, find your thing!
Losada’s voice is upbeat, inspiring, and easy to read (she adds in a lot of hahas, likes her wine, and will often put in full interviews/conversations). The drumming part dragged for me, and the chapters in no particular order hurt my brain a little but overall I really enjoyed this novel. There is a lot of UK specific data and recs given the author’s home (as said before would love to read more about the US in the same fashion). It also really makes me want to move up Isabella Tree’s Wilding novel from my TBR as there is a chapter based on her “rewilding” land.
Cover is beautiful too.
Out in July 2020.
January 27, 2024
Recommended by the Every One of Us email. I found this interesting and there are some things she suggests we are already doing and others that we can look into. A shame that, even though the book was only published in 2020, some of the businesses she suggests have already gone. Some of the conversations that she has in the book feel quite fabricated to make certain points. I did find the section on the Extinction Rebellion particularly interesting.
July 26, 2022
Interesting, but also annoyingly ignorant in a variety of ways that are spelled out in some of the 3 star or less reviews. I wanted to like it, but it irritated me at the same time. 3 stars seems fair!
March 25, 2024
The best part of this book is the cover art.
August 4, 2022
Apparently it was naïve of me to think that a book about the environment was going to be scientifically accurate.
The Good:
it's a nice starting point for anyone that has never ever heard of climate change to find what to search and deepen on elsewhere. Also quite some of the interviews are pretty interesting.
The Bad:
first of all anyone that talks about "chemicals" and "toxins" (derogatory) to mean anything that is artificial or lab made has absolutely no idea what those words mean and as such anything they say on the topic has absolutely zero value. I don't want to write an essay on the topic but in summary: everything is chemical, even substances naturally occurring in nature, and same goes with toxicity. Plus talking about "toxic compounds" without giving doses is complete bs, as the first principle of toxicology is "is the dose that makes the poison (or cure)". Even oxygen and water (chemicals!) can be toxic in certain high doses, and yet they are completely natural and needed for life.
I do completely agree that traditional farming methods are not sustainable and something needs to change in the agriculture world, but organic produces are not the game changers that the author tries to sell. Organic farming does use pesticides and some of them are the same as non-organic farming, the others are used only in organic farming - and are not that well studied and tested as traditional ones, if your concern is about "toxicity" and "chemicals" and long term effects on your health. Personally, for what I've learnt so far, regenerative farming should be the future, as it enhances both the local fauna and flora (a point the author really cared about!) and respects the natural rhythms of the earth without depriving it of its own nutrients.
As others have already pointed out, even though the subtitle is "How to Practise Without Preaching" this book is quite preachy. Other than that it was funny to me how she decided to be a radical environmentalist but at the end of the day was radical only about some points (mostly powered by white and western privilege). (Seen also when she tries to get some produces overpriced and as such not widely accessible - as they were originally planned to be, since, you know, sustainability should be something that everyone can chose to adapt, and not something that only those who can buy overpriced organic food can do.)
On this point I would also like to add: she says that normal people should be able to fly only once per year, since the aviation is such a strong impact on CO2 emissions - avoiding to comment on how the CO2 produced by the normal population is way less (around half as I know?) as what the riches of the world produce. Was the other day that TSwift went viral because only so far in the year she already flew more than once a day? Of course everyone should think carefully about what impact (social, environmental, colonial, etc) their travels would have on the lace they are thinking to vacation in, but let's not shift the pollution blame to normal vacation goers. And this principle should be applied to many of the points the author made in the book.
Also another funny point to me was how, as a vegan, the author felt bad using leather (makes completely sense) but the proceeded to suggest the use of silk - I guess she's not aware of how it's made. (Also I'm not completely sure about this, but didn't strict veganism also avoid honey and wool?)
Another point that disturbed me was the subtle racism in some chapters, even though the author generally tried to point out how most spaces she took part in were mostly white.
Overall, as I imagine is clear, I'm not happy with this reading and considering the high reviews I guess I was hoping to find more scientifically accurate information and more in depth tips - or maybe less banal ones.
The Good:
it's a nice starting point for anyone that has never ever heard of climate change to find what to search and deepen on elsewhere. Also quite some of the interviews are pretty interesting.
The Bad:
first of all anyone that talks about "chemicals" and "toxins" (derogatory) to mean anything that is artificial or lab made has absolutely no idea what those words mean and as such anything they say on the topic has absolutely zero value. I don't want to write an essay on the topic but in summary: everything is chemical, even substances naturally occurring in nature, and same goes with toxicity. Plus talking about "toxic compounds" without giving doses is complete bs, as the first principle of toxicology is "is the dose that makes the poison (or cure)". Even oxygen and water (chemicals!) can be toxic in certain high doses, and yet they are completely natural and needed for life.
I do completely agree that traditional farming methods are not sustainable and something needs to change in the agriculture world, but organic produces are not the game changers that the author tries to sell. Organic farming does use pesticides and some of them are the same as non-organic farming, the others are used only in organic farming - and are not that well studied and tested as traditional ones, if your concern is about "toxicity" and "chemicals" and long term effects on your health. Personally, for what I've learnt so far, regenerative farming should be the future, as it enhances both the local fauna and flora (a point the author really cared about!) and respects the natural rhythms of the earth without depriving it of its own nutrients.
As others have already pointed out, even though the subtitle is "How to Practise Without Preaching" this book is quite preachy. Other than that it was funny to me how she decided to be a radical environmentalist but at the end of the day was radical only about some points (mostly powered by white and western privilege). (Seen also when she tries to get some produces overpriced and as such not widely accessible - as they were originally planned to be, since, you know, sustainability should be something that everyone can chose to adapt, and not something that only those who can buy overpriced organic food can do.)
On this point I would also like to add: she says that normal people should be able to fly only once per year, since the aviation is such a strong impact on CO2 emissions - avoiding to comment on how the CO2 produced by the normal population is way less (around half as I know?) as what the riches of the world produce. Was the other day that TSwift went viral because only so far in the year she already flew more than once a day? Of course everyone should think carefully about what impact (social, environmental, colonial, etc) their travels would have on the lace they are thinking to vacation in, but let's not shift the pollution blame to normal vacation goers. And this principle should be applied to many of the points the author made in the book.
Also another funny point to me was how, as a vegan, the author felt bad using leather (makes completely sense) but the proceeded to suggest the use of silk - I guess she's not aware of how it's made. (Also I'm not completely sure about this, but didn't strict veganism also avoid honey and wool?)
Another point that disturbed me was the subtle racism in some chapters, even though the author generally tried to point out how most spaces she took part in were mostly white.
Overall, as I imagine is clear, I'm not happy with this reading and considering the high reviews I guess I was hoping to find more scientifically accurate information and more in depth tips - or maybe less banal ones.
April 25, 2025
So much of the conversations around climate change and environmentalism is negative and often apocalyptic, so I was excited to see that this was available. I wanted to know how to be that joyful environmentalist and how to practice *without* the preaching. So when I saw this was available at the library, I thought this sounded like a great read.
Basically this is the author giving the reader advice on how they reduce their impact on the planet and how they can make impacts, big or small. Whether it's using reusable containers while shopping or living off the grid, there's often something one can do. Some of it is definitely not possible for a lot of us, but it also goes to show that there's still even the smallest changes one can make in their lives.
Unfortunately, I really did not get a joyful vibe from this. The start of the book has her go full Karen on some employee because they did not have metal forks and she had to use plastic, her hands, or go home. This is exactly the type of attitude that turns people off and away from moving towards a more sustainable way of living and I really can't believe no editor, beta reader, did not seem to notice or point this out? So from there on out I was already inclined to feel negatively towards the book.
I get the the frustration and the desire to do good, etc. but this came across as yet another entry in the "bad approach" or very narrow worldview. If you're sharing an anecdote about how you chewed out a Whole Foods employee over forks, you're talking to a certain audience and quite often that audience is already in your corner (meaning, not someone you need to convince). While yes, again, there are certainly good suggestions and useful if you're someone looking to start out, but this won't reach the audience that it needs.
I didn't mind reading it but overall I'm glad I got it at the library. I think for a lot of people who are already reasonably familiar with helping the planet a lot of this will not be new and is therefore skippable. But overall there are definitely better resources out there and I wouldn't rush to read it anyway.
Basically this is the author giving the reader advice on how they reduce their impact on the planet and how they can make impacts, big or small. Whether it's using reusable containers while shopping or living off the grid, there's often something one can do. Some of it is definitely not possible for a lot of us, but it also goes to show that there's still even the smallest changes one can make in their lives.
Unfortunately, I really did not get a joyful vibe from this. The start of the book has her go full Karen on some employee because they did not have metal forks and she had to use plastic, her hands, or go home. This is exactly the type of attitude that turns people off and away from moving towards a more sustainable way of living and I really can't believe no editor, beta reader, did not seem to notice or point this out? So from there on out I was already inclined to feel negatively towards the book.
I get the the frustration and the desire to do good, etc. but this came across as yet another entry in the "bad approach" or very narrow worldview. If you're sharing an anecdote about how you chewed out a Whole Foods employee over forks, you're talking to a certain audience and quite often that audience is already in your corner (meaning, not someone you need to convince). While yes, again, there are certainly good suggestions and useful if you're someone looking to start out, but this won't reach the audience that it needs.
I didn't mind reading it but overall I'm glad I got it at the library. I think for a lot of people who are already reasonably familiar with helping the planet a lot of this will not be new and is therefore skippable. But overall there are definitely better resources out there and I wouldn't rush to read it anyway.
June 16, 2020
As always this review also appears on my blog at: https://livemanylives.wordpress.com/
The great strength of The Joyful Environmentalist is its accessibility. I have read a number of books about climate change and it is hard reading. Of course, it is important that we know what we are facing but we also need to ensure that we do not fall into despair, that we do not find ourselves giving up because we cannot see the point.
It is easy to tell ourselves that it won’t make any difference, but I think that Isabel gives us two responses to that denial. First, we can be certain that the only way that no difference will be made is if we do not do anything to change, and secondly, even if adapting our individual lifestyles doesn’t have the impact we would like on the planet it will have an impact on us.
The Joyful Environmentalist is both practical and hopeful. It encourages you to make real changes to your life, but shows you how this is not a chore, an austere stripping down of all that you enjoy in life, but a journey of playful creativity and community engagement for the benefit of your own well-being and the wider world.
Losada walks through all the key areas of day-to-day life, food, energy, transport, clothing, and considers how these can be changed to produce a lighter impact on the world without diminishing the experience. Mingled between these practical tweaks to the way we live as individuals are some bigger picture thoughts on how we might also influence the world around us through joyful protest or volunteering, to spread the message.
There is definitely a place for trying to jolt people out of their slumber and make them realise the damage that we are doing to the planet and as a result ourselves, but there is also a need to bring people along on a journey of discovery that offers hope and a positive future. This book sits in that latter space with a positive energy and a smile on its face. Jump on board, start making changes now and do it with a song or a drumbeat in your heart.
The great strength of The Joyful Environmentalist is its accessibility. I have read a number of books about climate change and it is hard reading. Of course, it is important that we know what we are facing but we also need to ensure that we do not fall into despair, that we do not find ourselves giving up because we cannot see the point.
It is easy to tell ourselves that it won’t make any difference, but I think that Isabel gives us two responses to that denial. First, we can be certain that the only way that no difference will be made is if we do not do anything to change, and secondly, even if adapting our individual lifestyles doesn’t have the impact we would like on the planet it will have an impact on us.
The Joyful Environmentalist is both practical and hopeful. It encourages you to make real changes to your life, but shows you how this is not a chore, an austere stripping down of all that you enjoy in life, but a journey of playful creativity and community engagement for the benefit of your own well-being and the wider world.
Losada walks through all the key areas of day-to-day life, food, energy, transport, clothing, and considers how these can be changed to produce a lighter impact on the world without diminishing the experience. Mingled between these practical tweaks to the way we live as individuals are some bigger picture thoughts on how we might also influence the world around us through joyful protest or volunteering, to spread the message.
There is definitely a place for trying to jolt people out of their slumber and make them realise the damage that we are doing to the planet and as a result ourselves, but there is also a need to bring people along on a journey of discovery that offers hope and a positive future. This book sits in that latter space with a positive energy and a smile on its face. Jump on board, start making changes now and do it with a song or a drumbeat in your heart.
October 9, 2020
‘I want to learn every single way possible to love our planet. And to do this wholeheartedly, energetically and joyfully.’
Isabel’s latest book The Joyful Environmentalist is exactly what it says in the title. Not only is she bringing joy to her own life through her choices and how they affect the world we live in but is suggesting them to the reader genuinely to better the environment and then in turn, their lives.
Having clearly written from experience and with a lot of research on top, Isabel has provided us with a very comprehensive list of tips of changes we can make in our everyday lives that will make a difference to the environment. This includes changing our pens from plastic to metal, only using a plane once a year, only planting UK based plants in your garden, only keeping things in your home that actually make you happy, etc. My favourite sections were the anecdotal parts as that is where I really felt Isabel’s passion for what she was writing about shone through. In particular, the chapters about her experience on the front line with Extinction Rebellion. The dedication of some individuals she saw who were willing to get arrested in order to make change happen was powerful, although of course everyone who was a part of it is inspiring.
Overall, this book was very thought-provoking and sparked conversation between my father and I, who also read the book, and seemed to established generational differences in our reactions to certain things. I believe this was a positive thing because having these conversations is the first step towards change. Although there are some things I don’t have the ability to change yet, not being a homeowner or having a garden, I am inspired about what I can feasibly achieve for my future and the future of my world.
Isabel’s latest book The Joyful Environmentalist is exactly what it says in the title. Not only is she bringing joy to her own life through her choices and how they affect the world we live in but is suggesting them to the reader genuinely to better the environment and then in turn, their lives.
Having clearly written from experience and with a lot of research on top, Isabel has provided us with a very comprehensive list of tips of changes we can make in our everyday lives that will make a difference to the environment. This includes changing our pens from plastic to metal, only using a plane once a year, only planting UK based plants in your garden, only keeping things in your home that actually make you happy, etc. My favourite sections were the anecdotal parts as that is where I really felt Isabel’s passion for what she was writing about shone through. In particular, the chapters about her experience on the front line with Extinction Rebellion. The dedication of some individuals she saw who were willing to get arrested in order to make change happen was powerful, although of course everyone who was a part of it is inspiring.
Overall, this book was very thought-provoking and sparked conversation between my father and I, who also read the book, and seemed to established generational differences in our reactions to certain things. I believe this was a positive thing because having these conversations is the first step towards change. Although there are some things I don’t have the ability to change yet, not being a homeowner or having a garden, I am inspired about what I can feasibly achieve for my future and the future of my world.
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