Vandana Shiva’s new book positions community and sustainability at core of climate action

By A Representative 

The book Slow Living: What You Can Do About Climate Change by Vandana Shiva and Shreya Jani was formally launched on March 26 at the India International Centre, bringing together environmental thinkers, readers and practitioners for a discussion on sustainable lifestyles and climate action.

The event was opened by Priya Kapoor, Editorial Director at Roli Books, who described the book as a timely and practical intervention in the face of accelerating ecological crises and social fragmentation. The authors followed with a wide-ranging conversation on the urgency of rethinking contemporary lifestyles shaped by speed, consumption and relentless economic growth.

Drawing on decades of ecological activism, Shiva argued that the global pursuit of speed has deepened environmental crises such as climate change and pollution while also weakening community bonds and diminishing spaces for reflection and care. Jani highlighted that the book emerges from years of shared work and dialogue, centring the idea of “decolonizing joy” — a call to reclaim fulfilment beyond consumer culture and rediscover meaning through community life, biodiversity and everyday responsibility.

The discussion revisited lessons from environmental struggles in India and beyond, including movements such as the Chipko movement, underscoring how grassroots, community-led efforts can drive meaningful ecological change. Both authors stressed that long-term transformation is rooted in patience, persistence and collective action.

Published in 2026, the book positions itself as a practical guide to climate-conscious living. It spans themes such as slow food, slow health, slow work, slow fashion and “slow democracy,” encouraging readers to question systems built on excess and speed. Combining reflections with actionable tools, it includes recipes, growing tips, checklists and everyday practices aimed at fostering resilience and sustainability. 

Conceived as a “companion for kinder, more attentive living,” the book argues that small, mindful choices—when adopted collectively—can help restore ecological balance and rebuild human relationships with the Earth.  Early reader responses have described it as a manifesto for adapting to a rapidly changing world through everyday behavioural shifts.

Shiva, a globally recognised environmental thinker and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, has long advocated for biodiversity, seed sovereignty and food justice, while Jani brings decades of experience as a peace educator and cultural practitioner. Together, their work in Slow Living seeks to bridge grassroots environmental knowledge with practical pathways for individual and collective climate action.