Sustainable Planet: Solutions for the Twenty-first Century [Paperback]

Juliet Schor (Author), Betsy Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 20, 2003

Can we find ways of living that are sustainable and deeply satisfying, that ensure economic and political democracy, and are passionate about beauty, elegant design, and the wildness of nature? The contributors to Sustainable Planet say we can, and offer 16 remarkable visions of how to get from here to there, including:
* Specific proposals from citizen and labor coalitions that articulate a positive alternative to the free-trade model of globalization
* The emergence of local food systems that allow us to eat fresher, better tasting food while protecting family farms and conserving the environment
* New thinking about industrial design and engineering that is leading to production systems which generate no waste
* How we might create a fashion industry that weds aesthetic pleasure with social justice
* Five economic policy recommendations that could move us toward a sustainable economy
* What you can do to create a real sense of community where you live
* A road map for building the political will to change the system before it's too late.

This anthology grew out of the work of the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Americans change the way they consume to improve quality of life, protect the environment, and promote social justice.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The mission of the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD) is to "help people consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life and promote social justice." Schor, author of The Overworked American and a member of CNAD's advisory board, and CNAD executive director Taylor present 16 essays that contain case studies, illustrations, and examples in support of that mission. The diverse essayists, some better known than others, include a congresswoman (Nydia M. Vel zquez, D-NY), a CEO (Jeffrey Hollender, Seventh Generation), an economist (John Cavanagh), and an author (Bill McKibben). But all have an abiding interest in the concept of sustainability, and practical action suggestions abound. Several of the articles will raise the awareness of those who are not fully alert to the impact of their consumer choices and how interwoven with environmental and social quality the purchase of a piece of clothing or an overly equipped car really is. This is a positive, informative, hopeful, and concrete anthology. Highly recommended for most environmental collections, public and academic, though those who might benefit the most may be those least likely to read it.
Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The mission of the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD) is to "help people consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life and promote social justice." Schor, author of The Overworked American and a member of CNAD's advisory board, and CNAD executive director Taylor present 16 essays that contain case studies, illustrations, and examples in support of that mission. The diverse essayists, some better known than others, include a congresswoman (Nydia M. Velazquez, D-NY), a CEO (Jeffrey Hollender, Seventh Generation), an economist (John Cavanagh), and an author (Bill McKibben). But all have an abiding interest in the concept of sustainability, and practical action suggestions abound. Several of the articles will raise the awareness of those who are not fully alert to the impact of their consumer choices and how interwoven with environmental and social quality the purchase of a piece of clothing or an overly equipped car really is. This is a positive, informative, hopeful, and concrete anthology. Highly recommended for most environmental collections, public and academic, though those who might benefit the most may be those least likely to read it." Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press; 1st Edition, 4th Printing edition (January 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807004553
• ISBN-13: 978-0807004555
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Juliet B. Schor's research has focused on the economics of work, spending, environment, and the consumer culture. She is the author of Born to Buy, The Overworked American, and The Overspent American. Schor is a professor of sociology at Boston College, a former member of the Harvard economics department, and a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient. She is also a cofounder of the Center for a New American Dream, an organization devoted to ecologically and socially sustainable lifestyles.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great breadth, authoritative, still relevant May 17, 2010

By Steve Aelfcyning

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Some of the examples in the book are a little dated but its breadth and variety of authoritative voices make it still relevant. Juliet Schor's chapter on a new fashion ethic called my attention to something I would otherwise have overlooked and the chapters by Peter Forbes and Betsy Taylor are remarkable and inspiring. Bill McKibben's input is always appreciated.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars well done January 30, 2008

By Roger S. Gottlieb

Format:Paperback

Excellent and thought provoking. Very useful for courses at university level. Some cheerful, but not simplistic, ideas for change.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical considerations August 22, 2007

By S. Morrell

Format:Paperback

The book is very helpful to read for those of us who wonder how to consider living out some of our concerns regarding the environment. I particularly appreciated Juliet Schor and Bill McKibbon is always worth reading.
A couple of the chapters on economics were beyond me - but glad someone is thinking about it!!