The future of change

Janet Gyenes | Image: Granville Online | Published: June 03, 2008

Work less, but be more of an activist. Revisit simple recipes from a bygone era, and embrace future-focused innovations. Whatever direction you choose, it’s a brave new eco-conscious world.

THE GREENPEACE LIVING GUIDE
Greenpeace Canada
How can you become an everyday activist and take on the root causes of environmental issues worldwide? According to The Greenpeace Living Guide, it’s easy to pair political activism with practical everyday tips and solutions that can help you lead a greener life, at home, at work and in the community. (Greenpeace Canada, 2007. $19.99)

HOMEMADE: HOW TO MAKE HUNDREDS OF EVERYDAY PRODUCTS YOU WOULD OTHERWISE BUY
Editors of Reader’s Digest
Over 700 recipes for making homemade products, from peanut butter and pet foods to cosmetics and chemical-free cleaners, are packed into this 400-page book compiled by the editors of Reader’s Digest. These formulations, which have been developed as alternatives to store-bought products, can help people reduce waste and packaging and avoid the chemicals and preservatives found in many everyday items. (Reader’s Digest, 2007. $34.95)

WORKERS OF THE WORLD RELAX: THE SIMPLE ECONOMICS OF LESS INDUSTRIAL WORK
Conrad Schmidt
Despite the myriad technological advancements that have helped to make life simpler, people are still overburdened by the lightening-fast pace of our consumer culture. And our planet is suffering, too, argues Conrad Schmidt, author and founder of the Work Less Party.
He poses a radical solution to our – and our planet’s – plight: a reduced workweek that would allow us to work less, produce less, consume less, and enjoy life more. (Conrad Schmidt, 2006. $15.00)

FLIGHT OF THE HUMMINGBIRD: A PARABLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
The parable of a hummingbird that takes small steps toward achieving a big goal has its origins with the Haida people of the Pacific Northwest and the Quechan people of South America. It forms the basis for this slim volume illustrated by Vancouver-based artist Michael Yahgulanaas in his contemporary “Haida manga” comic book style. Flight of the
Hummingbird has been endorsed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who each share their inspirational words in this book. (Greystone, 2008. $16)

TRANSPORT REVOLUTIONS: MOVING PEOPLE AND FREIGHT WITHOUT OIL
Richard Gilbert and Anthony Perl
Can we revolutionize land transport and wean ourselves off our dependence on the internal combustion engine? Authors Anthony Perl, professor of political science and director of urban studies at SFU, and Richard

Gilbert, a consultant on urban issues, think so. They propose immediate and long-term solutions, such as the use of electric drives instead of internal combustion engines, to ensure the safe, effective movement of people and goods, while minimizing our impact on the planet. (Earthscan/James & James, 2007. $90)