Top 10 Books About Ecofeminism

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Top 20 Influential Modern Feminist Theorists

By Jone Johnson Lewis

Ecofeminism has grown since the 1970s, blending and furthering activism, feminist theory, and ecological perspectives. Many people want to connect feminism and environmental justice but aren't sure where to begin. Here is a list of 10 books about ecofeminism to get you started:

1. Ecofeminism by Maria Mies and Vandana Shiva (1993)
   This important text explores the links between patriarchal society and environmental destruction. Vandana Shiva, a physicist with expertise in ecology and environmental policy, and Maria Mies, a feminist social scientist, write about colonization, reproduction, biodiversity, food, soil, sustainable development, and other issues.
2. Ecofeminism and the Sacred edited by Carol Adams (1993)
   An exploration of women, ecology, and ethics, this anthology includes topics such as Buddhism, Judaism, Shamanism, nuclear power plants, land in urban life and "Afrowomanism." Editor Carol Adams is a feminist-vegan-activist who also wrote The Sexual Politics of Meat.
3. Ecofeminist Philosophy: A Western Perspective on What It Is and Why It Matters by Karen J. Warren (2000)
   An explanation of the key issues and arguments of ecofeminism from the noted environmental feminist philosopher.
4. Ecological Politics: Ecofeminists and the Greens by Greta Gaard (1998)
   An in-depth look at the parallel development of ecofeminism and the Green party in the United States.
5. Feminism and the Mastery of Nature by Val Plumwood (1993)
   A philosophical - as in, Plato and Descartes philosophical - look at how feminism and radical environmentalism intertwine. Val Plumwood examines oppression of nature, gender, race, and class, looking at what she calls a "further frontier for feminist theory."
6. Fertile Ground: Women, Earth and the Limits of Control by Irene Diamond (1994)
   A provocative reexamination of the notion of "controlling" either the Earth or women's bodies.
7. Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism edited by Judith Plant (1989)
   A collection exploring the link between women and nature with thoughts on mind, body, spirit and personal and political theory.
8. Intimate Nature: The Bond Between Women and Animals edited by Linda Hogan, Deena Metzger and Brenda Peterson (1997)
   A mix of stories, essays, and poems about animals, women, wisdom and the natural world from an array of women authors, scientists, and naturalists. Contributors include Diane Ackerman, Jane Goodall, Barbara Kingsolver, and Ursula Le Guin.
9. Longing for Running Water: Ecofeminism and Liberation by Ivone Gebara (1999)
   A look at how and why ecofeminism is born from the day-to-day struggle to survive, particularly when some social classes suffer more than others. Topics include patriarchal epistemology, ecofeminist epistemology and "Jesus from an ecofeminist perspective."
10. Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams (1992)
    A combination memoir and naturalist exploration, Refuge details the death of the author's mother from breast cancer along with the slow flooding that destroys an environmental bird sanctuary.