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Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century
Worldchanging is packed with information, resources, reviews, and ideas that give readers access to the tools they need to build a better future. Written by a diverse collaborative of innovators, Worldchanging demonstrates that the means for making a difference lie all around us.
This team of top-notch writers, brought together by Worldchanging.com founder Alex Steffen, in...more
This team of top-notch writers, brought together by Worldchanging.com founder Alex Steffen, in...more
Hardcover, 600 pages
Published
November 1st 2006
by Harry N. Abrams
(first published 2006)
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1,172)
Feb 01, 2010
Tim Gannon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nature-conservation
as the back of the book says "we need a generation of everyday heroes . . . this book belongs in the library of every person who aspires to be part of that generation." It contains 536 pages of potential solutions for dealing with our world's problems. From consuming responsibly, buying better food, alternative fuel sources, nanotechnology, open source software, fighting poverty and government corruption, to getting rid of landmines, building a green home, etc . . . It touches on a huge variety...more
Great primer on a variety of topics. Short but good introduction to a host of topics - environmental issues, urban planning, alternative energies, transportation, agriculture, sustainable food, population pressures, conservation, refugees, disaster response, water, sustainable communities, socially responsible investment, biomimicry, micro-lending, disaster relief, etc., etc. - with some recommended books or websites to check out if you want to go more in depth. Big long list of books written do...more
This book was written like a website, which makes sense because it IS a website. However, that does not make for very enjoyable reading, at least for me. It is not the sort of book you read cover to cover, which is why it took me FOREVER to read. Also, given the topic, it seems like a silly thing to turn into a book because environmental information, and pretty much anything else that belongs in "A User's Guide for the 21st Century" is constantly changing.
That being said, I do have some notes (o...more
That being said, I do have some notes (o...more
May 10, 2008
Willy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
hopeful people
Shelves:
environment,
non-fiction
This compendium of ideas presents many suggestions for changing and improving our planet. At over 600 pages there are many contributors to this volume. Divided into logical chapters to include Stuff, Shelter, Cities, Community, Business, Building, Politics, and Planet. I would have preferred that Food be a separate chapter since I am very interested in food sovereignty. As is the nature of this type of book, the various tones set by the authors alternate between preaching to the choir and just p...more
There is no better collection of world-changing ideas for the radical optimist. Moving from the micro to the macro (stuff, shelter, cities, community, business, politics, planet), Worldchanging collects the smartest and best ideas for designing a sustainable "bright green" future for all, and for dealing with disruptive consequences of our present course.
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Absolutely imperative read for those keeping abreast of environmental and social causes. Great both as a reference guide to amazing organizations, websites, and books, or simply just to read and soak up its positive energy. Refreshingly optimistic and clearsighted perspectives throughout, and well-organized. It essentially just acts to compile and touch upon all aspects of sustainable and progressive activities, and it does a commendable job in being as inclusive as it could possibly be. For som...more
Excellent, highly comprehensive overview of the main issues that will be at the front of the 21st century. Highly recommended- each topic is supplemented with a "resources" section which allows you to explore whatever sparks your interest in greater depth.
A great book on how to change our ways of living, eating, shopping to a more earth-friendly style.Each chapter also lists other books and websites for further learning. I have already put a few of these practices into work. A bargain as I was able to get it at my local Chapters store for only 9.99 in the cheapie section.Recommended to all who want to make our planet a better place to live.
Among my favorites, the updated version contains substantial updates, although not as astonishing and original since I was already acclimated. I use it as a reference and also assign readings for a grad course in social change.
I know that this was only meant to give a very very topical treatment to a wide variety of topics, but I was still somewhat underwhelmed with the content of this book. I had hoped for more, honestly.
Jun 24, 2009
Eileen Galer
is currently reading it
This is a reference book that those of us who dream a better world will find invaluable. It is a wealth of info on what is happening moving us along the path to peace, community and sustainability.
Dec 24, 2011
Megan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who cares about the planet - especially Danelle...
This is an amazing book! While it weighs about eight tons, it's full of useful information. It's topics range from how to identify a good-green product (beware - boca burgers are bad - Phillip-Morris!), where to buy them, how to better understand product design and it's impact on our planet, why Wal-Mart is so evil, why smart architecture and community planning is good, and the list goes on. The title says it all: it's anything you might want to know about how to live in the 21st century, and pl...more
Aug 13, 2010
Peterjames
added it
Personally , This Book Has inspired me.
To be more "With Ear To Where We've been
and where. I want to go!
There is so so, much to
this, Someday I want to Finish it!
To be more "With Ear To Where We've been
and where. I want to go!
There is so so, much to
this, Someday I want to Finish it!
Not with entirely new stuff, but nevertheless great ideas for helping the world get back into its previous shape. The section about landmine removal was very hopeful
A well needed reference book for the world....and its current and future developments and needs in sustainability, technology, social structures, urban planning, design
This book is a huge tome with a zillion little articles grouped into seven main categories (stuff, shelter, cities, community, business, politics, planet). Most of the focus is the environment, but there is also a bit on human rights and social issues and things that have broad implications for the future of humanity. The tone is mostly informative: a description of lots of important issues and various clever ways people are making progress (both through technology as well as just community/peop...more
Very informative. The definitive guide to knowing what the future could possibly bring. If we make it that far . . .hint hint.
An encyclopedia of projects, ways of life, communities in the world where people make eco-conscious decisions in everyday life.
Holy smokes. This was wicked awesome. An encyclopedia of stuff to educate oneself on environmental and sustainable issues, trends, technologies, etc. The sections are divided nicely so you can find what you're most interested in (Stuff, Shelter, Cities, Community, Business, Politics and Planet). The entries are succint but chock full of real information. Plus, it gives all kinds of references for further study on anything that particularly floats your boat. And you know what else? It's really we...more
One of those great books about what is being done (not talked about).
From browsing through, the book seems more focused on tech/engineering/economics than I personally would have liked. I wanted more balance; what little there is on arts and activism is more what I'm interested in...Still, it's a decent concept; the book as network & resource...but I'm glad I got it as a publisher's overstock for $8 instead of full cover price. Better for people interested in the green technology and sustainable economics fields. In other words, I'll be essentialist about it...more
Sep 12, 2007
Denise
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who is feeling hopeless about the current state of the world.
Hopeful and invigorating. A progressive book on social and environmental change. Instead of dragging the reader through a state of desolate fear and self-hatred, this environmental book takes a different approach. Every article is full of inspirational ideas, movements, and changes real people are making in their local and global communities.
I may be slighlty biased; my good friend Jer contributed to this book. Nonetheless, I was impressed.
For more articles that did not make it into the book, c...more
I may be slighlty biased; my good friend Jer contributed to this book. Nonetheless, I was impressed.
For more articles that did not make it into the book, c...more
Mar 18, 2009
Mike
marked it as to-read
A recommendation from Jay Connely
Inspired me to start my own business.
Everybody should read this.
Jun 10, 2008
Ash
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
"the light green,"
Recommended to Ash by:
blogs
Shelves:
diy-and-green
I wanted to love this book and it just kind of fell flat for me. A lot of the information wasn't new or is already dated. Also, I found that there was just not enough detail to make each entry really instructive.
The book is a nice over-view of trends in the recent green movement but left me wanting a lot more. For someone unfamiliar with "going green" this is a good book to start with or would make a good gift since it is a beautiful book. However, for detailed information I'd go elsewhere.
The book is a nice over-view of trends in the recent green movement but left me wanting a lot more. For someone unfamiliar with "going green" this is a good book to start with or would make a good gift since it is a beautiful book. However, for detailed information I'd go elsewhere.
Dec 15, 2008
Rohan Mehta
is currently reading it
advertised to be "a user's guide to the 21st century"
this book is packed full of neat ideas from Good Business start ups to Green ass kicking.
a very big book with lots of stuff i will probably be "currently reading" this for a while. recommend to everyone
this book is packed full of neat ideas from Good Business start ups to Green ass kicking.
a very big book with lots of stuff i will probably be "currently reading" this for a while. recommend to everyone
Will definitely inspire your inner idealist. I bought the book thinking it would be like those "1 Million Simple Things You Can Do to Rock the World." Instead, this anthology recounts major projects and dreams going on to green our planet, to promote justice everywhere, and to build sustainable communities. So the scope is pretty large. A great resource for finding ordinary and extraordinary ways of helping our world.
Featuring practical ideas for sustainable use of our planet, each topic and personal story helps me feel a bit less helpless about our fate ... and prods me to do something about it.
I've used this with my Middle School students, and find that it's great to pick up and read a bit at a time to get your brain moving in a different direction and let yourself be inspired by the work of others.
I've used this with my Middle School students, and find that it's great to pick up and read a bit at a time to get your brain moving in a different direction and let yourself be inspired by the work of others.
I mostly agree with it's bright green urban politics. This book was already dated information the day it was printed. Follow the blog instead: http://www.worldchanging.com/
Also good is http://www.treehugger.com and http://www.inhabitat.com
I also share what I like best from those blogs on my reader under the "eco" tag: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/f...
Also good is http://www.treehugger.com and http://www.inhabitat.com
I also share what I like best from those blogs on my reader under the "eco" tag: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/f...
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