Bonnett, M. (2004). Retrieving nature: Education for a post-humanist age. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Michael Bonnett is one of Britain’s well-known philosophers of education. In his book “Retrieving Nature: education for a post-humanist Age”, he focuses on the issue of an environmental ethos for living and for education purposes.
Bonnett questions how education can respond to the present day problems regarding the environment and postulates an innovative thesis regarding establishing a connection between the human spirit and environment.
Bridgen, A.F. (2007). A Heuristic Journey of Discovery: Exploring the Positive Influence of the Natural Environment on the Human Spirit (Master’s thesis). Web.
“A Heuristic Journey of Discovery: Exploring the positive influence of the natural environment on the human spirit” by Annette Frances Bridgen is a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in 2007 which explores the positive impact of nature on the human spirit.
As part of the background literature supporting his study, Bridgen quotes examples of writers who have experienced physical healing by contact with the environment.
Coffin, B. & Pfannmuller, L. (1988). Minnesota’s endangered flora and fauna (Minnesota Archive Editions ed.). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
This is a report published by the Minnesota. Dept. of Natural Resources, authored by Barbara Coffin and Lee Pfannmuller that provides detailed information regarding the flora and fauna of Minnesota region in the United States.
The figures for rare and endangered species are particularly significant. In the foreword, there is useful discussion on the value of natural resources to mankind and how the loss of species will diminish the value of the planet. The foreword includes a very relevant quotation by Philosopher Holmes Rolston III.
Colfer, C.J.P. (2008). Human health and forests: A global overview of issues, practice, and policy. London, UK: Earthscan Publishers.
Carol J. Pierce Colfer takes a global overview of issues, practice, and policy matters of forests in the context of human health. Many people live and work in the forests and they face the unique challenge of maintaining their good health in the forest environment.
In the second chapter dealing with Human Health and Forests, Colfer talks about “Cultural services” and discusses the psychological and spiritual relationships that exist between human beings and the ecosystems in which they live. He gives several examples from around the world.
According to him, the loss of biodiversity affects the health and livelihood of people living there and also hurts scientists and conservationists. This book adds to the existing knowledge on the environment and can be useful to all types of readers.
Fischer, F. & Hajer, M.A. (1999). Living with nature: Environmental politics as cultural discourse. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Fischer and Hajer have compiled some essays that focus on the present-day problem of the environmental sustainability. They have approached the issue from different angles and elucidated the social and cultural backgrounds of the problem and suggest how the problems may be solved.
The third chapter titled “Nature in Spiritual Traditions: Social and Cultural Implications for Environmental Change” is particularly relevant to the study of the connection between human spirit and the environment. In this chapter, the author traces the love-hate relationship of humans with the natural environment and the historical evolution of socio-natural relationships.
They conclude that transformational changes to save the environment can be made only through the spiritual consciousness of humanity. They also describe several spiritual traditions that are centered on the natural environment.
Gottlieb, S.(2004). This sacred Earth: Religion, nature, environment. Milton Park, UK: Routledge Publishers.
Roger S. Gottlieb, in this book, has discussed in detail religion’s complex relationship to the environment. He particularly focuses on the growth and transformation of religious environmentalism through the ages adopting a cross-cultural investigative perspective.
He cites the spiritual practices of ancient religions and also Christian ecotheology. His writing is interspersed with scholarly studies, theological concepts, historical analysis, and real-life problems. By analyzing the global environmental crisis in the light of spirituality, the book proves to be a very valuable teaching resource.
Hassan, M.R., Scholes, R. & Ash, N. (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: current state and trends: Findings of the condition and trends working group of the millennium ecosystem assessment. ‎Washington, D.C., Island Press.
The book by Hassan et al (2005) reports on the findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. It begins by first detailing how humans have affected ecosystems negatively due to their growing demands for natural resources.
They point to the fact that though mankind has benefitted from these natural resources, they have also caused some damage to the environment. The authors warn that environmental degradation can get worse in the coming decades and lead to disasters of many types.
There is particular focus on the coastal systems. Hassan et al hold that the coastal systems have a great deal of spiritual significance to many people around the world. The book includes good examples of different cultures where the oceans are considered to be of high value to the people.
Krech, S. (2004). Encyclopedia of world environmental history: A-E volume 1 of encyclopedia of World Environmental History. Milton Park, UK: Routledge Publishers.
Shephard Krech in his book “Encyclopedia of World Environmental History” Volume I have entries for terms beginning with alphabets A to E. Of particular interest to the subject of environment is his entry on emergence of environmentalism.
He talks about the first wave of environmentalism. Kreche points to the fact that there were two key figures of the conservation movement- Gifford Pinchot and John Muir. Both sought to protect the environment for different reasons.
Lauzen, L. & Hales, D.R. (2009). An invitation to health. San Francisco, CA: Cengage Learning.
Dianne R. Hales and Lara Lauzen in their book titled “An Invitation to Health” have explored various facets of health such as stress management, psychological health, fitness, nutrition, communication and sexuality, reproductive choices, abuse of drugs, etc.
However, the book also includes a chapter on The Spirit of Health and Wellness which is very relevant to the present paper. Lauzen and Hales hold that being spiritually well is a personal process that can be found through connecting with nature.
Wilson, O.E. (1992). The diversity of life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Edward O. Wilson, a famous Harvard entomologist in his book “The Diversity of Life” divulges many facts regarding the diversity of life on earth and how it is being currently endangered by mankind.
He pleads eloquently to save the rich biodiversity of the planet. The book is written in simple language and will be of interest to readers of all ages.