CHRISTMAS IS THE IDEAL TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND REFLECT ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS. GIVING A BOOK IS NOT JUST A GESTURE OF AFFECTION, BUT AN INVITATION TO EXPLORE NEW PERSPECTIVES AND GROW. CHOOSING READINGS THAT INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RESPECT FOR OUR PLANET, CAN TRANSFORM A SIMPLE GIFT INTO A SYMBOL OF AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY. HERE ARE FIVE UNMISSABLE BOOKS, PERFECT FOR LEARNING IN-DEPTH TOPICS RELATED TO ECOLOGY, GREEN INNOVATIONS AND THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ART AND NATURE
Con “10 ideas to save the planet before chocolate disappears”, a Christmas dedicated to awareness
In the book of Matteo Nardi e Letizia Palmisano (Città Nuova, 2021), the climate crisis is addressed with an approach that is as rigorous as it is creative, capable of raising awareness and involving the reader in an original way. The starting point is a provocative hypothesis: the possible disappearance of chocolate, one of the most universal pleasures, due to the devastating consequences of climate change. This scenario, disturbing but effective, becomes the leitmotif of a journey that explores concrete solutions to combat the environmental emergency.
Nardi and Palmisano manage to transform complex issues into easily understandable concepts, demonstrating how everyday gestures can generate a real impact. Among the pages of the book there are practical ideas that range from the reduction of food waste to the adoption of conscious habits, passing through topics of great importance such as sustainable mobilitythe use of renewable energy and good practices related to recycling. The authors treat each topic with simple, direct, but never superficial language. Which makes the text accessible to a wide audience, without sacrificing the depth of the message.
The central thesis of the book is clear: change is possible and starts from individual actions, even the smallest. We don’t need heroic gestures, but conscious choices which, when added together, can make a difference. Combining scientific analysis, narrative sensitivity and a strong practical sense, Nardi and Palmisano offer a reading that not only informs, but motivates us to take action, reminding us that even the smallest change can be the first step towards a greener and more Right.
“Ecovisions. Ecology in cinema from the Lumière brothers to Marvel”
With his book, Marco Gisotti takes us on a fascinating journey through 125 years of cinematic history, revealing the profound connection between the seventh art and environmental issues. This volume represents much more than a historical analysis: it is a reflection on how cinema has contributed to shaping the collective imagination, stimulating greater ecological awareness and inspiring concrete actions.
The writer starts from a symbolic moment: the first ecological film, shot in 1897, which immortalizes a burning oil well, a powerful image that prefigures many of the environmental challenges we still face today. From here, Gisotti traces a path that crosses a century of cinema, analyzing one hundred cinematographic works that have left an indelible mark on cultural and environmental history.
The great classics, such as Metropolis and King Kong, offer a vision of the tensions between progress and nature, while modern masterpieces such as Wall-E and Into the Wild invite us to reflect on the consequences of human actions on the planet and the need to rediscover an authentic connection with the environment.
Cinema as a tool for cultural change
What makes Gisotti’s text particularly incisive is the ability to intertwine cinematographic analysis with an educational perspective. In fact, the book includes five educational paths designed to explore the relationship between cinema and sustainability. These itineraries offer valuable tools for educators, students and enthusiasts, so as to stimulate critical reflection on the role of the visual arts in raising public awareness of environmental challenges.
The author demonstrates how cinema is not only a means of entertainment, but also a powerful tool for cultural change. Through the stories told on the big screen, the reader rediscovers the evocative power of images and understands how important it is to narrate the challenges of our time to generate a real impact.
In short, cinema is not just a mirror of society, but a lens through which to interpret and, above all, change our relationship with the planet.
“Seven lives like cats. Give value back to objects. Stories of a circular economy”for a more sustainable Christmas
With his new book “Seven lives like cats. Give value back to objects. Stories of circular economye” (Città Nuova, 2023), Letizia Palmisano guides us through the principles and applications of the circular economy, a model that not only challenges the traditional disposable system, but proposes a revolutionary approach to rethink our relationship with objects and resources.
The book stands out for its ability to make a complex topic accessible, alternating theoretical reflections with practical examples and inspiring stories. Palmisano, in fact, does not limit himself to describing the principles ofcircular economybut offers concrete tools to implement it. For example, the book includes detailed suggestions on how to repair, reuse and recycle commonly used objects, demonstrating that change begins with simple gestures within everyone’s reach.
Each chapter therefore becomes an invitation to look at what surrounds us with different eyes, so as to discover the hidden value in what we often consider useless.
Finally, the author underlines that the circular economy is not just a strategy to reduce waste, but a true act of creativity and ingenuity.
All things considered, the text is not only a practical guide, but also a manifesto of hope. The circular economy, as Palmisano describes it, is a model that not only protects the environment, but also enhances human skills, transforming problems into opportunities. The author therefore invites readers to be protagonists of a cultural change, adopting a lifestyle that focuses on respect for resources and innovation.
One hundred green jobs to find work
“Green Professions”, written by Marco Gisotti e Tessa Gelisio (Edizioni Ambiente, 2019), presents itself as a practical and visionary guide for anyone wishing to undertake a career in the growing universe of professions linked to sustainability. The authors, profound experts on the dynamics of the ecological transition, clearly and competently outline the opportunities that this sector offers, providing a detailed and updated picture of the hundred most requested professions in the green job market.
The text explores a wide range of professional fields: it ranges from bioarchitecturewhich integrates technological innovation and respect for the environment, with environmental communication, a crucial sector for raising public awareness and promoting virtuous practices. Each profession is described carefully, analyzing not only the specific tasks, but also the skills required, the necessary training courses and growth prospects. This approach makes the book a fundamental tool for finding your way in an ever-changing job market.
New perspectives for a rapidly expanding sector
What distinguishes “Green Professions” it is his ability to go beyond a simple list of job possibilities. Gisotti and Gelisio accompany the reader on a journey through the dynamics of the ecological transition, explaining how the transition to more sustainable economic models is generating a growing demand for specialized professional figures.
With a clear and motivating style, the book is aimed both at young people looking for their professional path and at those who want to reinvent themselves in a rapidly expanding sector. The authors offer practical advice for accessing green professions, suggesting study paths, transversal skills and ways to enhance your profile in a competitive working context.
Their analysis, supported by data and testimonies, makes it clear how green professions represent not only a conscious choice, but also a promise of stability and personal satisfaction.
“The Rigiocattolo”
Letizia Palmisano (for the types of Città Nuova, 2024) returns to this list for the third time, confirming itself as one of the most passionate and versatile voices in the panorama of green issues. After having addressed the themes of the climate crisis and the circular economy in depth in her previous works, this time the author addresses the little ones, giving them a fairy tale that combines magic and awareness.
The Rigiocattoloenriched by the splendid illustrations of Anna Kurtiis much more than a simple story: it is a hymn to creativity, reuse and sustainability. The plot follows the adventures of three toys – a teddy bear, a pianola and a pickup truck – who, now forgotten, find new life thanks to a special laboratory. Through narrative, Palmisano introduces the principles of the circular economy in a delicate and accessible way, demonstrating that even what seems obsolete or useless can be transformed and regain value.
The language chosen by the author is simple, but never banal. Every word is calibrated to capture children’s attention, transporting them to a world where sustainability is not just a lesson, but an exciting discovery. At the same time, the book offers food for thought for parents, so as to transform reading into a moment of sharing and growth for the whole family.
Christmas is not just a time of celebration
The strength of the book lies in its ability to combine emotion and teaching, reminding us that Christmas is not just a celebration of lights and gifts, but also an opportunity to rediscover essential values such as respect, solidarity and care for our planet .
This book ideally closes the circle traced by Letizia Palmisano through her works: a path that starts from the analysis of the climate crisis, passes through the circular economy, and arrives here, in a fairy tale that speaks to today’s children, the citizens of Tomorrow.
“The Rigiocattolo” is a perfect read for the Christmas period, not only for its message of hope and rebirth, but because it reminds us that even small gestures, such as reusing a toy, can help make the world a better place. Because Christmas is not just a moment of celebration, but an opportunity to ignite consciences, teaching that every action, however small, can make a difference.
Merry Christmas and happy reading!