The better world handbook : from good intentions to everyday actions / Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler, and Brett Johnson with Brian Klocke.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface p. ix
Acknowledgments p. x
Introduction p. xi
Building a Better World p. 1
The Seven Foundations of a Better World p. 11
Actions for a Better World p. 52
Money p. 53
Banking p. 54
Credit Cards p. 60
Saving p. 62
Investing p. 64
Shopping p. 72
What to Buy p. 74
Who to Buy it From p. 79
Buying guide p. 84
Food p. 91
Buying Groceries p. 92
Eating p. 95
Planting a Garden p. 100
Personal p. 102
Extraordinary Living p. 103
Emotional Well-Being p. 109
Spiritual Well-Being p. 110
Physical Well-Being p. 113
Reflection p. 115
Friends and Family p. 120
Building Strong Relationships p. 121
Giving Gifts p. 123
Children p. 126
Community p. 136
Neighborhood p. 137
Local Community p. 140
Community Issues p. 145
Home p. 149
Energy p. 150
Water p. 154
Trash p. 157
Lawn and Garden p. 161
Your Home p. 162
Work p. 167
Workplace Relationships p. 169
Socially Responsible Workplace p. 171
Finding Good Work p. 175
Media p. 181
Television p. 184
Radio p. 187
Magazines p. 190
Newspapers p. 200
Internet p. 201
Politics p. 206
Voting p. 207
Getting Involved p. 212
The Top Issues List p. 221
Transportation p. 226
Walking p. 227
Bicycling p. 227
Public Transport p. 228
Automobiles p. 229
Travel p. 239
Where to Go p. 240
Where to Stay p. 243
What to Do p. 244
Extraordinary Travel p. 247
Organizations p. 255
Getting Involved p. 256
Giving p. 260
Finding Organizations p. 262
Amazing Organizations p. 263
The Best of the Rest p. 275
The Top Ten Actions for a Better World p. 279
Notes p. 280
Action Index p. 288
About the Authors p. 290

It would be a perfect world if everyone could quit their jobs and devote themselves fully to the causes they believed in. Instead, The Better World Handbook shows caring, but busy people how to live out their progressive values and have a life! The principle behind this engaging guide is to incorporate everyday activism into even the most mundane areas of our lives - like grocery shopping, banking, eating, reading the newspaper, and working.

The book begins with a concise summary of our society's most pressing problems that lead directly to seven foundations necessary for building a better world: economic fairness, comprehensive peace, ecological sustainability, deep democracy, social justice, a culture of simplicity, and revitalized community. Subsequent chapters are organized around intuitive topics such as Food, Money, Transportation, Work, and Media, focusing on activities that support the seven foundations for a better world. A purchase can allow a locally owned business to thrive; money invested in the right bank can create opportunities for poor communities; a vacation can contribute to preserving wilderness areas; tuning-in to public and alternative media can put readers back in control of their thoughts, feelings and values that mainstream media marginalize.

Practical and extremely well researched by four university instructors who have synthesized knowledge from a wide variety of sources, The Better World Handbook provides readers with the essential information they need to take effective actions that will make a difference across the entire spectrum of the world's problems.