A Kind Life

Carina Wohlleben grew up at nature’s doorstep, in a mountain lodge surrounded by forests and fields where her family grew vegetables and raised animals. Her father, the forester and bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, taught her about the value of wilderness and the importance of preserving nature for everyone.

But it wasn’t until she was a new mom that she had an epiphany about how her own daily habits were connected to the ecological crisis we are facing and the importance of living sustainably.

After learning that we can reduce our environmental footprint by 25 percent simply by forgoing animal products, she transformed her life, adopting a vegan diet, rethinking all her travel and consumption choices, and rediscovering her connection to nature.

Carina writes candidly about the challenges of making this transition as well as the health benefits she and her family noticed after cutting out animal products. She also addresses issues such as unsustainable agriculture and forestry practices, the environmental impact of our transportation and shopping choices, and how slowing down and making do with less is not only better for the planet but improves our own sense of belonging in nature.

Carina's account of balancing motherhood with environmental choices is interspersed with profiles of young people around the world who are making a difference. This book is a must-read for anyone who is considering a change, and anyone who believes it’s not too late to save the planet.

Carina Wohlleben is a scientific advisor and partner at the Wohlleben Forest Academy. She has studied geography as well as nature conservation and landscape ecology. A trained vegan nutritionist, she also offers vegan cooking courses and nutrition advice. She lives with her husband and their two children in the Sauerland region of German.

Paperback, 216 pages, published by Greystone Books, 2024