For those quiet moments in a sun-lounger in the garden, around the pool, or under your favourite tree, here are five environment themed books to inform, inspire and motivate you to greener things as the year progresses.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

The Revenge of Gaia by James Lovelock

Walden by David Henry Thoreau

Worldchanging: a users guide to the 21st century by Alex Steffen and Al Gore

Hope, Human and Wild: True Stories of Living Lightly on the Earth by Bill McKibben

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Sustrans tell us that 75% of us live within two miles of the National Cycle Network, so why not use it to get to work or school, the shops or just for exercise and fun? The Network is over 12,000 miles of traffic-free, quiet lanes and on-road walking and cycling routes around the UK. So if you’re thinking about making use of this wonderful resource, you’ll be pleased to know that Sustrains are offering free tailored information packs to help you do just that.

The ultimate commuter solution: cycle-train-cycle

The Strida 5.0 Folding Bike is the latest incarnation of the bike that has long been considered the ultimate in modern urban transportation. Weighing a mere 10kg, this amazing bike will revolutionise your daily commute. It’s rugged yet light, and compact enough, when folded, to carry on public transport with comfort, meaning that it can easily become an integral part of any commute.

Green biking accessories

The Swallow Wind-Up Bike Lighting System ensures that you can always be seen when cycling. The lights are charged by a hand-turned dynamo, which means that running out of batteries is a thing of the past. To charge, simply wind up the main (front) unit and insert it into the holder, which will give you bright front and back light for safe cycling in the dark. The front and rear lights are connected so that you only have to wind one unit to charge both. The Swallow also has an alter-ego. It can be used as an eco-friendly wind-up mobile phone charger, and it comes complete with a Nokia cable. If you have another phone or hand-held device, adapters are available.

The award winning Cycloc is a brilliantly simple and practical solution for storing a bicycle in your home. It’s designed and made in Britain from 100% recycled plastic, and could be the answer to where to keep your bike when you are not on it. Fixed to the wall, Cycloc instantly frees-up floor space, so you can win back your hallway, or make space in your garage or shed. Soft rubber pads protect your bike’s frame at the contact points, and horizontal or sloping top tubes are no problem.

Here’s one for the boys! Make your commute all the more comfortable with a pair of padded cycling boxers with removable padding. They’re breathable, antibacterial, absorbent and made from 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton. Once you get to work, just whip out the padding and they convert into a pair of regular undercrackers.

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