OB BOOK CLUB

Introducing the OB Book Club, where sustainability meets storytelling. Coming to you once a month.   

 

Each month we’ll be recommending a story that inspires us here at OB HQ and introducing it to you.

 

It’s not strictly just books, but the aim of our book club is to share stories that inspire us to make a difference, wth the hope it will empower us to create a world where plastic pollution is a problem of the past.

JANUARY 

To start, we’re going back to basics and asking the question, what is the true story of plastic?

Our pick-of-this-month is The Story of Plastic: an Emmy-winning, documentary and animated film that uncovers the lifecycle of plastic, and how this man-made material has resulted in today’s global plastic pollution crisis.

Click below to watch the Animated Short Film 👇

Access the full film and find out more here 👀📹

FEBRUARY

It’s that time again! Last month we asked ourselves how plastic is made, and this month we’re diving into the ocean!

This leads us onto our next pick-of-the-month - A Plastic Ocean.

The adventure documentary was filmed in more than 20 locations across 5 years, capturing the harrowing impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.

Our funding at Ocean Bottle goes directly to the clean-up of ocean-bound plastic, preventing plastic waste from entering the ocean, so this documentary is very close to our hearts!

Click below to watch the trailer 👇

 

Access the full film and find out more here 👀📹

MARCH

Our OB Book Club recommendation for March has been released and guest what… it’s finally a book!

This month we’re dedicating our choice to World Water Day 🌊 

World Water Day, supported by the United Nations and held on the 22nd March, aims to shed light on the unequal access to water across the globe. 

Our pick-of-the-month book is: Why we Swim by Bonnie Tsui

This book explores human’s innate connection to water, and the meditative wonders of swimming. Swimmer and writer, Bonnie Tsui, deep dives into the unique world of swimming from the five angles of survival, wellbeing, community, competition and flow. She draws insights from people across the world, including polar swim champions, a Baghdad swim club, Olympian athletes and modern-day samurai swimmers.

Read the summary and see stockists for the book here 📖👀

APRIL

In honour of Earth Day and its poignant theme this year, "planet vs. plastic," our book club has chosen a documentary film that delves deep into one of the most pressing environmental issues that Indonesia is facing: plastic pollution.

Titled ‘Plastic Island’ (or 'Pulau Plastik'), this eye-opening documentary follows the journeys of three individuals from different walks of life in Indonesia as they confront the pervasive impact of plastic pollution on their country and the world at large.

Led by a Balinese vocalist from a grunge band, a young lawyer from Jakarta, and a biologist and river guard from East Java - these three embark on a journey to uncover the extent of plastic pollution in Indonesia, tracing its entry into our food chain and its detrimental effects on human health. Through their experiences, the film sheds light on the urgent need to address the plastic pollution crisis and explores potential solutions.

As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our collective responsibility to protect our planet, ‘Plastic Island’ serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of environmental issues and human well-being. Produced by Ewa Wojkowska, Executive Producer of the film, the initiative behind this documentary emphasises the importance of local culture and wisdom in finding solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

"We began this initiative in Bali with the vision that local culture and local wisdom can be a big part of the solution to prevent the ever-increasing problem of single-use plastic pollution. Through 'Plastic Island,' we hope to inspire and encourage everyone to take real action and reduce the reliance on, and problems caused by, single-use plastics." - Wojkowska, Executive Producer.

This Earth Day, join us in watching ‘Plastic Island’ and engaging in meaningful discussions about the impact of plastic pollution on our planet and what we can do to create positive change. And for those who thoroughly enjoyed this watch, the same producers have made a four part series on the topic.

Click below to watch the trailer 👇

Watch the full fim on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81597205 📺

MAY

Immerse yourself in the outside world 🌾

This month, our OB Book Club recommendation is inspired by No Mow May, the movement created to protect and improve the population of native flora and pollinators.

Introducing ‘Where the Wildflowers Grow' by Leif Bersweden. 

Leif Bersweden, a passionate botanist, takes readers on a journey across Britain and Ireland to discover the rich tapestry of native plants. Through his eyes, we see the beauty of our natural landscapes and the threats they face from climate change, habitat destruction, and declining pollinator populations. Leif is able to explore and document these botanical treasures, whilst raising awareness about the importance of conservation.

This exploration of wildflowers aligns with the No Mow May movement, and acts as a timely reminder of the beauty and significance of our native flora, and the urgent need to protect it and the world that we live in. 

Join us on this journey into the wild (flowers) with ‘Where the Wildflowers Grow’ available here.

JUNE

Our pick-of-the-month this June is "What Happens to Plastic in the Ocean: The Mystery of Missing Plastic" - a documentary shedding light on one of the most perplexing environmental conundrums of our time. Where is all our plastic waste?!

Despite the staggering amount of plastic waste produced and discarded globally, 99% of the plastic that should be floating in the oceans is mysteriously missing. This documentary takes viewers on an investigative journey to uncover the fate of millions of tonnes of plastic that have seemingly vanished.

"We must keep in mind that the quantity of microplastics over the next few years will still increase because of the fragmentation of the, what I would call, the legacy items - the large items of plastic debris that are already in the ocean." - Prof. Richard Thompson, OBE FRS

This documentary has been chosen as our watch of the month, whilst we celebration World Oceans Day! This years WOD theme, "Awaken New Depths," encourages us to deepen our understanding of ocean conservation and the threats it faces. "The Mystery of Missing Plastic" aligns perfectly with this theme, and offers us some crucial insights into the hidden impacts of plastic pollution on the ocean.

So, join us as we dive deep into the ocean and watch the full documentary here 👇

 

JULY

This month, we've chosen to showcase a captivating short film, directed by Sea Legacy. 

Entitled "Ocean Grandmother", this short film takes us on a journey into the heart of the Guna Yala community, exploring the beauty of their connection to nature, and the environmental challenges forced upon them. 

"The nature is like our Mother, the Ocean is like our Grandmother. We have to take care of them” - Diwi Valiente 🌊

This story deep dives into the impact plastic pollution and climate change can have on indigenous communities, in particular Panama's Guna Yala region. It emphasises our innate connection with the natural environment, communicates how climate change disproportionately affects island communities, and shows global reach of plastic waste. Featuring Diwi Valiente, an indigenous climate activist, we see how the Guna people are being forced to relocate, in one of the first documented cases of climate migration of Indigenous communities.

Thanks to Sea Legacy's documentation, we're able to raise further awareness of climate migration, and gain a deeper understanding of the intergenerational impact plastic pollution has on people's livelihoods. 

Take 10 minutes to watch it today! 👀

Click here 👉  https://youtu.be/V-dQHNrxxBs?feature=shared

AUGUST

This month, as Summer is in full swing here in the UK, we are recommending The Travel Projects Achievable Adventures.

Charlie Wild and Jessica Last (aka @the.travel.project) are UK based creatives. They have spent the past 2 years exploring and documenting their doorstep on what they call Achievable Adventures in a bid to open up regular, environmentally conscious and affordable adventure to everyone.

Through story-led photography, sharp design and well researched bite-size info, they have released Achievable Adventures, a beautiful book that reveals 52 of the UK’s very best adventures. 

“We wrote this book in order to show that regular adventure doesn’t have to be exclusive to intrepid explorers, big budgets or far away lands and that there are in fact plenty of incredible options right here on our doorstep for everyone to enjoy.

Achievable Adventures are designed to get you away from screens and into the outdoors. By getting outside regularly and exposing yourself to new experiences, environments and people, you build mental and physical resilience, reduce stress, gain perspective and create moments that will last far longer than any suntan. We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy these benefits.

As well as using this book to guide your adventures we hope it also inspires you to seek out your own experiences and take full advantage of this set of islands we are lucky enough to call home.” 

-Jess and Charlie 

Shop Achievable Adventures Here

SEPTEMBER

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

These words capture the profound connection many of us feel toward water. In a world that often feels fast-paced and overwhelming, the simple act of being near water can bring a sense of peace and clarity that is both rejuvenating and essential for our well-being. This concept is at the heart of the Blue Mind Movement, a movement that encourages us to reconnect with the water in our lives—to get near, in, on, or under water daily—and to share these experiences with others.

At the core of this movement is the groundbreaking book Blue Mind by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist and passionate advocate for the healing power of water. Part neuroscience, ocean conservation, and self-help manifesto, Blue Mind covers the science behind why being near water makes us happier, healthier, and more connected. Nichols explores how water affects our psychological well-being and brings this understanding into mainstream consciousness.

This month we are celebrating both the book, Blue Mind, and the life and work of Dr. Wallace J. Nichols.

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols' work transcended traditional boundaries, combining marine biology with psychology, neuroscience, and environmental advocacy. Nichols’ passion for the ocean and his dedication to understanding the profound connection between water and the human mind has left a lasting impact on countless lives. And his legacy that will continue to inspire and guide us! He believed that by reconnecting with water, we could find a vital survival mechanism in the face of life’s stresses - a 'blue mind state' that offers calm and clarity amid the chaos of our modern lives.

Nichols' Blue Mind Movement has resonated with people across the globe, encouraging us all to slow down, breathe deeply, and immerse ourselves in the natural beauty that surrounds us. It is a simple concept - committing to spend time near, in, on, or under water each day. Experiencing the calming and restorative effects that water has on our minds and bodies. As inspiration from his work, the Ocean Bottle team are committing to continuing the Blue Mind Movement within our own lives!

In the words of Nichols,

I wish you water 🌊

OCTOBER

This month, inspired by Recycle Now week, we've chosen to read Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters by Oliver Franklin-Wallis. 

Recycle Now Week aims to raise awareness about recycling and encourage people to recycle as effectively as they can.

Wasteland looks at waste on a global scale, exploring the environmental and social impact of this ever growing refuse problem. Through emotive yet easy to read storytelling, the book exposes the hidden world of waste management, highlighting the cost of our consumer habits on both people and the planet. It's an eye-opening read that enables us to rethink how we treat our waste, educates us on the realities of recycling and encourages us take action.

It’s a must read this Recycle Now Week!

Here at Ocean Bottle, we firmly believe that refill and reuse solutions can significantly disrupt the plastic production market and future-proof society for plastic consumption reduction. 

By reducing our reliance on single-use plastic and enabling a shift toward sustainable consumption, we can lower production demands. 

Solutions like reusable bottles, refill stations, and packaging-free alternatives can destabilise the throwaway culture and reduce the amount of waste accumulating in the world. 

We loved that Wasteland referenced this in the wider context of waste production and management and would truly recommend you give it a read!

Shop Wasteland here!

NOVEMBER

This month, inspired by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we are recommending Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, which challenges the very foundation of consumer culture.

Featuring Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who are widely known as The Minimalists, this film explores society’s obsession with 'more' and what impact this has on both people and the planet. 

This is an important watch ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, with brands slashing prices to encourage often impulsive and unnecessary purchases. 

Minimalism encourages us to pause and consider "...do I need this thing, or does it just weigh me down?”. The film shows that joy and contentment can come from only owning what we truly need and prioritising sustainable choices where possible. 

They don’t preach perfection, simply conscious consumerism.

Watch the documentary here.

DECEMBER

This month, in the spirit of our Christmas Campaign of give and take, we’re turning the tide with a recommendation that’s not for you take but to gift instead.

Introducing the BBC Earth children’s books inspired by David Attenborough’s iconic documentaries, written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, and illustrated by Kim Smith.

Why have we chosen this collection? These books were written to inspire young readers to connect with the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about the planet's incredible ecosystems. By introducing children to the beauty and diversity of life on Earth, these books aim to nurture a love for the environment while gently introducing the challenges it faces, such as climate change and pollution. The goal is to empower kids with knowledge and a sense of responsibility, encouraging them to become future guardians of our blue planet.

For us, Blue Planet II is our standout pick! Inspired by the documentary series, this book teaches children about the ocean’s most fascinating ecosystems:

• Coral reefs.
• Coastal species.
• Deep-sea marine life.
• Green seas.

This book brings the wonders of the ocean to life with captivating illustrations and engaging storytelling, making it a wonderful way for children to begin their journey of understanding and caring for the marine environment. In turn, we hope these books are a gateway to a lifetime of learning, empathy, and action.

Shop here 🌊🎁