All We Can Save - Dr. Katharine Wilkinson and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
All We Can Save is a collection of essays, poems and stories written by women who are at the forefront of the movement for climate justice. The anthology aims to position the reader to better understand the severity of the climate crisis, and the work that must be done to save our home and planet. The work, edited by Dr. Katharine Wilkinson and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, is split into eight sections; Root, Advocate, Reframe, Reshape, Persist, Feel, Nourish and Rise.
The strength of this work is in the community of its all-female contributors. As we know, the wisdom of women has been left out of important conversations (in the climate justice sphere and in the wider world) for far too long. The pieces that were the strongest, in my opinion, were the pieces where the author discussed the intersectionality of climate justice; the ongoing fight for equity and justice in other areas of life (gender, race, socio-economic status) of course intersect with the fight for the climate. One particular work early in All We Can Save discusses Indigenous knowledge and wisdom, and just how much wider society has to learn about sustainable land management from Indigenous peoples. Another example later in the anthology highlights how people who live in lower socio-economic areas experience higher levels of asthma due to living closer to highways and other environmental pollutants. It is crucial for us all to understand the intersectionality of the climate crisis, and All We Can Save helps the reader to do just that.
I listened to the audiobook version, and must say I drew enjoyment from hearing the familiar voices of actresses I admire, including Jane Fonda, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sophia Bush and America Ferrera. However, a drawback of listening to the audio was that I missed out on seeing the visual art that is included in the printed version.
A barrier that I encountered while reading this book is that this work is largely aimed at an American audience. Of course, most of the essays are didactic and contain lessons that are important, no matter where you live; however much of the specific politics and places discussed were American, and therefore difficult for a non-US reader to engage with.
It must be noted that All We Can Save is much more than just a book. It is a wider project - their website features educator resources, newsletters, links to donate, and more. Have a look and continue your learning journey by clicking here.
