The better world handbook : from good intentions to everyday actions /
Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler, and Brett Johnson with Brian Klocke.
- Gabriola Island, B.C. : New Society Publishers, 2001
- xii, 291 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.
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.