Amidst the climate uncertainty of our times, three independent UK bookshops—Hold Fast in Leeds, FOLDE in Shaftesbury, and Lighthouse in Edinburgh—are rising as shining examples of climate learning and activism. These stores are not just shops; they are community centers promoting environmental understanding and action through carefully selected books and events.
Hold Fast: Sailing Through Climate Discourse Afloat
Moored on Leeds Dock, Hold Fast Bookshop is run from a refurbished 1946 coal barge called ‘Marjorie R’. Renovated by Victoria and Chris Bonner, the boat now contains a handpicked selection of books highlighting nature, sustainability, and climate. Victoria Bonner, a library worker turned bookseller, highlights the need for available environmental books, saying, “People want to look after the planet, but they don’t always know where to start.”
Aside from books, Hold Fast promotes community through events, school visits, and a ‘pay-it-forward’ wall, inviting visitors to participate in climate issues actively. The shop’s sustainability is reflected in its choice of vegan cookbooks and travel guides that discourage air travel, in line with its mission of encouraging environmentally friendly choices.
FOLDE: Developing Environmental Consciousness in Dorset
Sitting atop Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, FOLDE is a gallery and bookshop focused on nature and landscape writing. Founded by Amber Harrison and Karen Brazier amidst the pandemic, FOLDE has become an environmental education beacon and was crowned Independent Bookshop of the Year for the South West in 2024.
FOLDE’s carefully chosen titles include climate action, conservation, and nature memoirs to take readers from awareness to action. The sustainability commitment of the shop is further evidenced through its B-Corp certification and renewable energy usage of 100%, a true overall approach to taking care of the environment.
Lighthouse: Blending Literature and Activism in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, Lighthouse Bookshop is a radical, queer-owned, and woman-led bookstore that interweaves literature and activism. Digital Campaigns Manager Jessica Gaitán Johannesson explains the mission of the shop: “Books are the starting points of action making and of change making.
Lighthouse’s ‘Read Think Act’ programme is a prime example of such thinking, providing readers with carefully selected reading lists and events which tie books to local activism. The shop also fights for diversity in nature writing, bringing underrepresented voices to the fore, knocking against the long-standing homogeneous environmental literature landscape.
The Transformative Power of Independent Bookshops
These self-owned bookstores are perfect examples of how books can act as a tool to bring environmental awareness and activism. Through presenting filtered resources, facilitating community participation, and exemplifying sustainable activities, Hold Fast, FOLDE, and Lighthouse are not only educating but also encouraging their communities to act against the climate crisis head-on.
In a world where information is misconstrued, and ecological woes are piling up, the work of such bookshops becomes ever more critical. They provide books, but also the venues for conversations, learning, and empowerment to show that small, independent organizations can also have an enormous role in the battle against climate change.
