Book ecology

Presentation

The ecology of the book is concerned with ideas and professional practices towards a sustainable, decolonial and geopolitical ecology of the book, involving all the actors of the world of books and taking into account their interdependence.

These ideas and practices seek to articulate several dimensions and include all the actors involved in the production of books, from creation, layout and publication to reading, including printing, distribution and sale in bookshops.

In addition to these material dimensions linked to the production of books (inputs, choice of paper, transport from the printing press), there are symbolic dimensions, which reflect on the use of books and bibliodiversity. Finally, book ecology also takes into consideration the external factors impacting on the book industry and the book market, in particular the social and environmental dynamics informing a sustainable ecological perspective.

Book ecology is therefore a concept that refers to a complex, collective and interprofessional understanding of all the practices linked to the production of books. It seeks to foster dialogue between professionals to bring about structural and thoughtful changes for greater eco-responsibility and bibliodiversity.

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Resources

Australian Publishers Green Guide, 2024

The Australian Publishers Association has published in 2024 a Green Guide dedicated to sustainable practices in publishing. This document highlights the environmental issues associated with book production and distribution, and offers concrete recommendations for reducing the ecological footprint of the publishing chain: choice of materials, printing, distribution, and raising awareness among industry stakeholders.

Consult the complete guide on the Australian Publishers Association website: Greener Publishing Guide

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A decolonial ecology in the Book World, 2023

This round table considers book ecology from a decolonial perspective. It gives a definition of what “book ecology” and “decolonial perspective” mean, in order to bring closer the urgency of ecological issues and the need to question the concentration of power and colonial matrices endured in the international book industry. With testimonials from book professionals based in Mozambique, Indonesia and in the Indian Ocean, this round table gives an opportunity for collective reflection on ethical, sustainable and solidarity literary ecosystems.

Babelica is the International online Book Fair of Independent Publishing, conceived and organised by the network of publishers of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers. All the information about the 2023 edition can be found at babelica.alliance-publishers.org

This discussion has been organised in partnership with AFD Campus.

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“REthinking the book of the future” with Vandana Shiva and Djaïli Amadou Amal, 2021

Words by the Bibliodiversity Ambassadors of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers - Vandana Shiva (author and activist, India) and Djaïli Amadou Amal (author, Cameroon).

Closing of the International Conference of Independent Publishers, Pamplona-Iruñea, 26 November 2021.

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Taller sobre la ecología del libro (¡grabación disponible!), 2025

Un taller dirigido por Jordi Panyella Carbonell (Pol·len edicions / Institut de l’Ecoedició, Cataluña, España) y Marta Fonolleda Riberaygua (directora del Institut de l’Ecoedició), aquí la grabación de este taller, en el canal de YouTube de la Alianza.

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