Category Archives: Green Issues

World Environment Day 2026 – Book List

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A miniature globe lying on the grass, surrounded by growing plants.

Today is World Environment Day (5th June), led by the United Nations Environment Programme and hosted this year by Azerbaijan. This year’s theme is climate action, and you can learn more about this year’s campaign at: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/2026/about/2026-campaign

To mark the occasion, we’ve put together a selection of books held at the Bodleian Libraries on the topic of climate change and climate action – please see below. There are mix of print books and ebooks.

Small thumbnail image of the book cover 'It's not that radical: climate change action to transform our world'.

It’s not that radical: climate action to transform our world by Mikaela Loach
https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/9gb1d2/alma991026790613807026

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Small thumbnail image of the book cover 'From crisis to action: climate change through the eyes of the most vulnerable'.

From crisis to action: climate change through the eyes of the most vulnerable by Abena Takyiwaa Asamoah-Okyere, Christina Natalia Widjaja and Tim Smedley
https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/9gb1d2/alma991027415997307026

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Small thumbnail image of the book cover 'The Climate Majority Project: setting the stage for a mainstream, urgent climate movement'.

The Climate Majority Project: setting the stage for a mainstream, urgent climate movement edited by Rupert Read, Liam Kavanagh and Rosie Bell
https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/1hmurok/alma991025465806707026

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Small thumbnail image of the book cover 'Climate action'.

Climate action (ebook) by Charles Sabel, David G. Victor, Alyssa Battistoni et al
https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/rl48sd/alma991027368983907026

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Small thumbnail image of the book cover 'Psychology of collective climate action'.

Psychology of collective climate action (ebook) by Karen Hamann, Eva Junge, Paula Blumenschein et al
https://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/9gb1d2/alma991027286437907026

Fairtrade Book Display

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Photo of a display of 24 books on the topic of Fairtrade.

This week marks the launch of our new Fairtrade Book Display. In support of the University’s ambitious sustainability goals many departments are scrutinising their resource use and supply chains in pursuit of lowering carbon footprints and energy demand. Beyond just analysing these metrics, achieving sustainability also means considering the impact of resources we use on the places and people we import them from. The Fairtrade movement aims to address the economic impacts, attempting to foster fairer prices, safer working conditions, and other benefits for producers and farmers. Similar movements include the Rainforest Alliance, ETP (formerly Ethical Tea Partnership), and the Soil Association which each have their own focuses on nurturing sustainability across the world’s supply chains.

Image of the cover of the book titled "The Fairtrade everyday cookbook" with a photo of a slice of moist chocolate cake on a brown plate with a fork. the book has the Fairtrade logo in the top right corner and mentions that the consultant Editor is Sophie Grigson.

Many of the books we have chosen feature recognisable everyday Fairtrade mascots such as bananas and coffee, but we have also chosen books featuring less-obvious resources that the Fairtrade movement is concerned with like gold and diamonds.

Some books featured in the display are loanable books from the SSL’s own collection and can be borrowed as usual. Others are for use in the library only and cannot be borrowed. Do feel free to remove them from the display to look at in the library and then return them there afterwards. Each book has its own bookmark indicating whether it can be borrowed or not.

One wrong item can contaminate recycling – if in doubt, find out!

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A barn owl staring at the viewer with the caption 'Make good choices'.

We’re all sometimes guilty of ‘wishcycling’ –putting waste in recycling bins just in case it can be recycled. But one wrong item can contaminate recycling. This week at the SSL, we’re asking one of life’s big questions: can you recycle it?

We’ve made a list below of some of the biggest culprits that manage to sneak their way into Manor Road recycling bins.

Disposable coffee cups

Unless there is a specific bin for paper cup recycling, these cups can’t be recycled. Put empty coffee cups in general waste bins (but make sure they’re empty first!).

Reduce waste by using a reusable coffee cup instead. Plus you can get discounts at many cafes and coffee shops. For instance, The Glasshouse Café in the Manor Road Building offers a discount on drinks purchased in reusable cups.

Tissues and paper towels

Another no. Whereas paper can be recycled, tissues and paper towels should be placed in general   waste. They’re generally made of low-quality materials and have often been recycled multiple times already. They can also be wet and contaminated.

Sweet wrappers

Plastic/metallic sweet wrappers can’t be recycled in mixed recycling bins, although some supermarkets will accept clean soft plastics for recycling. Don’t forget that the SSL, like other Bodleian Libraries, has a no food and drink policy (except for bottled water and drinks in reusable cups with a lid) so please eat your sweet treats outside.

Fruit peel

Take fruit peel home and put it in your food recycling bin, or use it for your compost. Otherwise, please put it in the general waste bin.

Plastic packaging

Whether you can recycle plastic packaging depends on what type of plastic it is. On most items the type of plastic can be identified with a number code. Plastics 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 can be placed in recycling bins (if clean and dry). 4 and 7 should go in general waste.

Check out the University’s A-Z of recycling for further information: https://sustainability.admin.ox.ac.uk/a-z-of-recycling#collapse957361

Green Action Week Book Display

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A collage of colourful book covers with the titles 'Climate change: what everyone needs to know', '123 seriously smart things you need to know about the climate', 'Mend it, wear it. love it!', '365 ways to save the planet', 'Living plantfully', 'Wilding' 'The hidden world', 'How to repair everything' and 'How bad are bananas?

To celebrate Oxford University’s Green Action Week from 23-27 February 2026 we have put together a display of books covering climate change, nature and sustainable living. You can find the book display around the corner from the Issue Desk and it will be in place until 8 March.

Some of the books are from the SSL’s collection and can be borrowed. Most of them are on loan to us from the Collections Storage Facility (CSF). They are for use in the library only and cannot be borrowed. Do feel free to remove them from the display to look at in the library and then return them there afterwards.

If you can’t make it to the library the books on display are listed here:

Climate change

Sustainable living

Nature

Oxford Green Action Week: our top tips

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Oxford Green Action Week runs from 23-27 February this year. We have put together the following top five eco-friendly tips for library readers:

Experiment with plant-based eating

Food accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions with beef, lamb and dairy having the highest carbon footprint. Why not try a vegetarian or vegan lunch from the Glasshouse Café on the first floor of the Manor Road Building? (But please don’t bring any food into the library!)

Recycle right

Avoid wishcycling – check the notices above our waste and recycling bins to see what we can and can’t recycle. Coffee cups, tissues and sweet wrappers belong in the General Waste bin. If in doubt put things in the General Waste bin to avoid contaminating the recycling –  this can lead to the whole load going to incineration.

Remember your reusable bottle and cup

Globally we go through 1.2 million single-use plastic bottles a minute.  Commit to packing your reusable bottle in your bag every day. You can fill your bottle from the water dispenser in the Locker Room. Get a 30p discount on hot drinks if you use your refillable cup in the Glasshouse Café.

Turn off your tech

Did you know that standby power generates 1% of the world’s carbon emissions? Help reduce this by turning off your tech when you’re not using it.

Read up

Take a look at our display of books on climate change, nature and sustainability for more ideas and inspiration. You’ll find the display just around the corner from the issue desk.

Find out more

Check our Sustainability webpage to find out what actions we are taking to green the SSL and how you can help.

Take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026

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The SSL supports the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which will be taking place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 January 2026.

Join the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and help build a picture of how UK garden birds are faring.

To take part, follow the simple steps below:

Images and text describing how to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

To find out more go to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch homepage.

To help you brush up on your bird spotting skills and learn how to encourage birds into your garden, we’ve created a book display. Find the display just around the corner from our issue desk.

Feel free to take a book and read it in the library but please return to the display after use.

Green Libraries Week Book Display 2025

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Image of an open book coloured green with white stripes and the text 'Green Libraries Week'

This week, Mon 27 Oct – Sun 2 Nov is Green Libraries week.  We are celebrating this with a selection of books on climate change, nature and sustainable living, to inform, inspire and help you make a difference. You can find the books just around the corner from the Issue Desk.

Photo of 3 rows of books on the topics of climate change, nature and sustainable living

Many of the books featured in the display are on loan to us from the Collections Storage Facility (CSF). They are for use in the library only and cannot be borrowed. Do feel free to remove them from the display to look at in the library and then return them there afterwards.

Discover more books on these topics by searching SOLO, the library catalogue.

Find out more about the green actions taken by the Social Science Library, and how you can help.

Learn about the green initiatives of our parent body, the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM).

Green Action Week Book Display

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Image showing 9 book covers about climate change and tips for a greener lifestyle

To celebrate Oxford University’s Green Action Week from 10 – 14 February 2025 we have put together a display of books covering climate change and actions for a greener lifestyle. You can find the book display around the corner from the Issue Desk. The display is accessible during library opening hours and the library address is here. Anyone with a University Card or Bodleian Libraries Reader card can access the library.

Discover more books on climate change by searching SOLO, the library catalogue, or browsing the Social Science Library shelves at GE149, QC981.8, QC903.

Green Action Week aims to foster environmental improvements in all parts of the University through networking and exchanging ideas. This year, special emphasis is being placed on the ‘actions’ that can drive better practices and behaviour change to help lead to tangible results.  See the full programme of events and activities here.

If you can’t make it to the library the books on display are listed below:

Climate Change books

Tips for greener living