Sunday 18 November 2018

Alternate Voices: Reconnecting Humans with Nature


It’s easy to get caught up in the mainstream flow of media, but there are alternate voices. Here are just a few that we enjoy reading. Let us know what you read when exploring the connections between humans and nature.


Beside
Beside magazine out of Montreal prides itself on “bridging the gap between humans and nature.” The magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper produced at a Quebec mill that runs on biogas, purifies the water it uses, and ships its waste to nearby farms to feed the soil. Printing and distribution are also as environmentally friendly as possible.

The articles range from invisible roads and wildlife crossings to raptors, technology, and back-to-basics living. The most recent issue, released November 15, explores the ways in which we are building our future with nature. You can purchase a paper copy, sign up for a monthly email newsletter, or receive some of their articles via RSS feed. There’s also a quarterly dispatch of audio stories.


Earth Island Journal
Earth Island Journal’s goal is to “highlight the subtle but profound connections between the environment and other contemporary issues.” As the media arm of the Earth Island Institute, their goal is to “make a passionate argument for defending Earth.” Their most recent issue includes articles on noise pollution in the wild, breaking down the barriers (women climate scientists, queering the environmental movement), and dogs that are sniffing out killer whale scats. The Journal is a quarterly paper publication. Many articles are available on their website.


New Nature
New Nature is a digital youth nature magazine out of the UK. It’s written, edited, and produced entirely by young people under 30. The current issue includes articles on social media as a resource for ecological research, sundews, shrews, and prescriptions for nature. You can subscribe to or download the magazine from their website.


Orion
Orion is an American magazine exploring the connection between nature and culture. The current issue includes articles on climate adaptation and new ways of thinking about medicine, witnessing a solar eclipse, and a piece by Wendell Berry. Paper and digital subscriptions are available and some articles are available online.


Resurgence & Ecologist
Resurgence & Ecologist is a British magazine offering “positive perspectives on a range of engaging topics covering ecology, social justice, philosophy, spirituality, sustainable development and the arts.” The current issue includes articles on hope despite extinction and deforestation, a rewilding project in the Netherlands, and tips on how to minimize waste in the holiday season. Subscribers have access to articles online as well as PDF and paper versions of the magazine as a whole.


The Ecological Citizen 
The Ecological Citizen is a digital, peer-reviewed ecocentric journal “confronting human supremacy in defence of the earth.” Recent articles discuss humans’ relationship with the biosphere, dying ecologically, and a critique by George Monbiot of the belief that everything has a price.

You May Also Enjoy
Alternatives Journal - Alternatives Journal says its mandate is to “promote an understanding of ‘environment’ in the broadest sense of the word, including social and political dimensions, and stimulate dialogue about environmental issues”

Anthropocene - Anthropocene is a print and digital publication explores “how we can create a sustainable human age we actually want to live in”

Ensia - Ensia is a “a solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet reporting on our changing planet” and motivating people to create a more sustainable future

The Narwhal - The Narwhal is a digital publication by a team of investigative journalists dispelling myths about Canada’s natural environment

The Nature of Cities - The Nature of Cities is an international platform for discussing ideas about “cities as ecosystems of people, nature, and infrastructure”