Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century

by Alex Steffen

Book Overview

Five years after the initial publication of Worldchanging , the landscape of environmentalism and sustainability has changed dramatically. The average reader is now well-versed--even inundated--with green lifestyle advice. In 2011, green is the starting point, not the destination. This second edition of the bestselling book is extensively revised to include the latest trends, technologies, and solutions in sustainable living. More than 160 new entries...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810997460
• ISBN13: 9780810997462
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 600 Pages
• Weight: 2.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.8" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Restored my faith; while inspiring me to change, and to act

Even starting to read Worldchanging has restored my faith that humanity can solve our current looming environmental, energy, and societal challenges. The introductory pages first stagger you with the size and severity of our global problems, and with just how unsustainable the current American way of life, consumption, and transportation are. But soon the pages start to reveal ideas and projects that are already starting to effect positive change -- some incredibly simple, others incredibly profound. I cannot read more than a couple pages at a time without just having to put the book down to either go "Wow" and comprehend what I've just read; or get up and do something . . . like write this review! For those concerned with our planet and future, reading this book, and acting upon what you read, is as important as, and equal to, voting. As this book shows, each changed person, even a changed habit, can add up towards making a huge and crucial difference in our environment and future -- towards a Changed World.

Join In a Winning Team Sport

The Worldchanging website has been operating for 2-3 years now. It is a compendium of the most balanced, practical, pragmatic, and thought provoking articles you are likely to find on the web. Concentrating on how to make the world a better place, it discusses climate change, environmental degradation, resource overuse... and most importantly, WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT! That's the website. I'm pleased to say the book carries on the tradition splendidly! At 600 pages, it carries a wealth of information grouped into several sections ranging from how we use 'stuff' through to how we can better plan cities and dwellings, through to social interactions and politics and ultimately, providing good custodianship of the planet. Just as important as the content is the presentation. The topics this book covers are far too important to risk doing badly, and they have not been. Sagmeister has done a great job of laying out the information in an easily navigable form. Book and website have interacted: the book takes its two column layout from the site's blog style, and the site has recently been redesigned to match the organisation of the book. Even more important than presentation is the spirit of presentation. Weighty (and potentially chilling) topics such as global warming are pitched with enthusiasm and are interspersed with lighter pieces and good humour. After all, a civilisation that can come up with a 3D chocolate fabricator (p 95) can't be all bad!? Far from it! That spirit is infectious, and it needs to be. The website format allowed (and still allows) for a lively discussion of each article. Rather than preach (and it would be very easy for them to do so), the authors very wisely choose to include the reader, as can be seen from this excerpt from the authors' advice on how to use the book: "As you think about what these ideas mean in your life, we encourage you to treat the information we provide as a set of avenues for exploration. There are a lot of ideas here, and not all of them will work for you: indeed, most of them will only work if you apply your own smarts and adapt them to the circumstances you face." And that, ultimately, is what Worldchanging is about: DIY empowerment. Go do it!

Information For Immediate Action

How do we coherently integrate and mobilize our evolving consciousness, technology, outright madness, and pig-headed, luminous human potential? Worldchanging is not the formulative answer but it's the best step in the right direction I have seen so far. Worldchanging is a users guide and the starting point needed to begin millions (hopefully billions) of important conversations. It is filled with what we need most: straightforward, bite-sized summaries, directives and how-to instructions on most of the topics that we humans desperately need to know about in order to drive positive change. From under-reported successes in urban areas and environmental movements across the progressive spectrum to alternative energy solutions and simple facts and figures about the millennia we face, it carries the reader through the full intellectual and emotional spectrum. I read about 25% of it in the first sitting and finished it the following day. Its rare that I am inspired, educated and empowered with specific tools for action in one sitting. My head was spinning and my eyes hurting but my spirits were quite lifted. I couldn't believe how much I did NOT know about each of the subjects. And perhaps therein lies the essential value of Worldchanging: it equips ordinary individuals with information and resources to take immediate, meaningful and impacting action in their lives and on behalf of organizations.

Hope for the planet!

A friend gave me a copy of this, and at first I wasn't sure what to think, but it's really great! I've read a bunch of green-themed books, but this is the first one that didn't depress me. It's not doom and gloomy, but really seems to be hopeful and - I guess empowering is really the right word. I really liked the examples of things ordinary people can do that don't cramp your style, but make a big difference. I also like that they think technology is the way out of the problem, not the way in. There are some cool photos, too. I think this is going to be one of my main holiday gifts for friends and family.

This is a must-read, even if you're not ready to give up your gas-guzzling SUV

If Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" moved you, then Steffen's "Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century" will move you to action. This is a beautifully crafted book that should be cherished - so full of resourceful ideas from around the world on how to live a more eco-friendly, sustainable life - without having to turn your back on the comforts of the 21st century. It's the ultimate feel-good book that lets you know there's hope for the planet if you're willing to make changes here and there in your daily life that really aren't all that inconvenient. Don't worry - the book doesn't lecture. It just INSPIRES.