State of Fear by Michael Crichton
The story revolves round an attorney named Peter Evans who works for George Morton, an eccentric millionaire. Morton is also a well-known environmental philanthropist who funds an organization called NERF, which is currently involved in a high stake environmental lawsuit. When Morton vanishes under mysterious circumstances, Evans teams up with the beautiful Sarah and MIT scientist/spy, John Kenner, determined to get answers to some puzzling questions. Their search takes them from the bustling streets of Hollywood, to the seemingly deserted expanses of Antarctica. In a race against time, the group traverse the globe and attempt to foil a band of radical eco-terrorists slated to mount an attack of catastrophic proportions.
The Lorax by Dr Seuss
A serious message about the plight of the environment is woven into this whimsical tale delivered in Dr Seuss’s classic style. The tale begins in a gloomy, eerie street called “The Street of the Lifted Lorax”. It is a bleak place, sour smelling, and devoid of trees. A curious little boy travels to this spot, on the outskirts of this polluted town, to find out more about the Lorax and why he was taken away. A strange man called the Once-ler has the answers the boy is in search of. After the crafty Once-ler extracts payment from the boy, the story is revealed. A long time ago this now seemingly god-forsaken place was a lush green paradise with fresh sweet air, clean water, humming fish, singing swans, and the most brightly coloured Truffula trees. How did it all change? Originally published in 1971, the book was adapted for the big screen in 2012.
The Autobiography of a Tree by Saroj Mukherjee
Trees remain rooted to the ground. They can’t walk, fly, or travel to visit their friends in distant lands. This is a matter of lasting regret for one particular tree in the forest. All the other trees make fun of it for thinking too much, to which the tree replies, “How else can I pass my time?” The tree makes friends with all the creatures who seek refuge in it — the birds who build nests in its branches and the rabbits who burrow deep into its trunk. It is careful not to cause any inconvenience to the trees beside it, nor to the people who rest in its shade. The tree considers human beings like Bansuri, the little girl who waters the plants in the forest with her cup, and Hariya, who saved a bird’s nest from an attack, as its dearest friends.
