Letters to the Earth: Writing to a Planet in Crisis

A profound, powerful and moving collection of 100 letters from around the world responding to the climate crisis, introduced by Emma Thompson and lovingly illustrated by CILIP award winner Jackie Morris.

‘All power to this amazing project.’ JOANNE HARRIS ‘Makes sense of the climate crisis in a whole new way’ MAGID MAGID

How can we begin to talk about what is happening to the world? How can we explain to our children, and to ourselves, what the future of our planet might look and feel like?

Letters to the Earthis the beginning of a new conversation. One that attempts to answer some of these questions by listening to the voices of parents and children; politicians and poets; songwriters and scientists. Gathering together over 100 letters written in response to a callout from Culture Declares Emergency, each entry begins to give language to the unspeakable, and shows how our collective power is present when we are ready to slow down and listen to each other.

It’s natural to feel worried or concerned about what the future of the earth holds. These letters are an opportunity to reflect on our connection to the planet and the way it faithfully sustains us. But they are also an opportunity to act, to respond to this crisis. To put pen to paper and make your voice heard.

Includes contributions from activist Yoko Ono, actor Mark Rylance, poet Kate Tempest, actor Mark Rylance, author Laline Paull, illustrator of The Lost Words Jackie Morris, novelist Anna Hope, environmental writer Jay Griffiths and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

This audiobook includes performances from over 60 actors, authors, and activists, including:

– Emma Thompson – Mark Rylance – Andrew Scott – Juliet Stevenson – Caroline Lucas MP – Alex Lawther – Kate Tempest – Matthew Todd – Jumoke Fashola – Dr Gail Bradbrook – Jackie Morris – Morfydd Clark – Danny Sapani – Hannah Scott – Paapa Essiedu – Anna Hope – Greg Hicks – Sudha Bhuchar – Tyrone Huggins – and the Youth Strikers

The full cast also includes: Jo McInness, Jay Griffiths, Kay Michael, Jennifer Lim, Greg Hicks, Freya Manor, Leah Brotherhead, Isla Lee, Dolly Webb, Nia Towle, Chirag Lobo, Sudha Bhuchar, Charlie Beck, Kiki May, Daniela Torres Perez, Justice Savage, Simreth Child, Olivia Dowd, Jessica Hayles, Jem Bendell, Hairkiran Dhingra, Simon McBurney, Sylvian, Stephen Dillane, Nimmi, Mickey Lyndon, Nicola Espitalier Noel, Joy Elias-Rilwan, Colin Brown, Jumoke Fashola, Jessica Siân, Matthew Todd, Blythe Pepino, Dr Martin Shaw, Azul-Valerie Thomé, Naomi Wirthner, Ashby Martin, Tia Khodabocus, Dr Rupert Read, Mairéad Godber, Toni Spencer, Mina Andala, Paul-Ryan Carberry, Saba da Silva, Luzmira Zerpa, Farhana Yamin, and Lee Ross.

Music © ‘I’m Going to Lift My People Up’ 2019 The Fire Choir, led by Blythe Pepino; ‘Turtle Dove’ 2019 Lee Ross; ‘One Love’ 2019 Jarvis Smith at the Rally for the Imagination, Youth Strike 4 Climate, 20th September, organised by Culture Declares, Music Declares, and Architects Declare; ‘Power’ 2019 The Fire Choir, led by Blythe Pepino.

© 2019 William Collins (Audiobook): 9780008374464

Release date

Audiobook: 14 November 2019