Worldchanging, Revised and Updated Edition: A User's Guide for the 21st Century [Paperback]

Alex Steffen (Author), Bill McKibben (Introduction), Van Jones (Foreword), Sagmeister Inc. (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2011

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 include up-to-the-minute information on the locavore movement, carbon-neutral homes, novel transportation solutions, the growing trend of ecotourism, the concept of food justice, and much more. Additional new sections focus on the role of cities as the catalyst for change in our society. With 50 percent new content, this overhauled edition incorporates the most recent studies and projects being implemented worldwide. The result is a guided tour through the most exciting new tools, models, and ideas for building a better future.

Praise for Worldchanging, Revised and Updated Edition:

"If you haven't yet had an opportunity to take a look at this ambitious and impressively comprehensive how-to guide on sustainable living, now is an excellent time . . . it doesn't matter what catches your eye in Worldchanging-whether it's finding an online magazine that will give you ideas on how to re-use your old doorknobs, or joining an alliance of 'bridge bloggers'-you can find the resources to get you started, and the inspiration to make your Earth Day resolutions bigger, better, and greener."
 -NewsWatch, NationalGeographic.com

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alex Steffen is the co-founder of WorldChanging.com, one of the world's leading sustainability-related publications. Steffen makes regular speaking appearances at multinational corporations like Nike, Yahoo!, and Amazon. He is a leading voice in planetary futurism and has inspired over 600 stories in the media, including a CNN documentary. Bill McKibben is an environmentalist and the author of The End of Nature and Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet. Time magazine has called him "the world's best green journalist."

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; Rev Upd edition (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810997460
• ISBN-13: 978-0810997462
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 1.4 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All I Can Say is... WOW! October 11, 2011

By S. Sloan

Format:Paperback

There's so much good stuff in this book I don't even know where to begin! Are you interested in any topics on sustainability? Alternative fuels? Green building? Smart architecture? Cities? Water? Politics? Whatever it is you'll find current information about it in this book. This is a thick, heavy book but easy to read. I'm only about a third of the way through and my brain buzzes with ideas every time I pick it up. Each section has resources at the end, so if a subject really appeals you can dig even deeper by picking up other books, downloading documents or visiting websites. I highly recommend this book... it's like the bible of all things sustainable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars So Close to a 5 star April 22, 2013

By T. Bond

Format:Paperback

This book is a great overview of what is needed to make a sustainable (environmentally, economically, socially) world and projects that are already happening to make this so. It covers such wide range of topics it is bound to be a good starting point for something you are interested in. The book is very positive and optimistic and focuses not only on the worlds problems but also how to fix them. The one negative of the book is that a few of the authors (there are many) do not tell the entire story on certain issues. Whether this is intentional or not remains to be seen, though my belief is that it was mainly oversimplification in order to keep the book from being too long. Instead of being as balanced as they could have been I think they try really hard to convince you that their opinion is correct. I actually think this harms their argument as I personally do not tend to listen to people who are completely polarized in their argument and often can think of counterexamples to show their argument is not perfect. Finally, the majority of the authors understand the value of having a more balanced view, and do what I thought to be a good job of presenting the whole truth.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to travel the world May 18, 2013

By D. Chismar

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a book that will take you places and fill you with optimism that people can still change the world for the better, in small but practical ways. The book does a nice job of opening a window to places most of us will probably never visit.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great review of what is happening around the world August 30, 2011

By Bob Miller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an east to read book that is packed with information about what is being done around the world in relation to sustainability. It does not go into great detail but gives a good overview with a list of its resources if you want more in depth information.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book for every citizen on earth August 8, 2011

By D

Format:Paperback

This book is an exceptional book I would recommend for almost every reader. If any problems in the world seem insurmountable, this book has a section about all the amazing people and organizations who are making progress with every major problem humanity faces. The articles are interesting and well written, and there is plenty of material worth looking up for more information. It is an amazing starting point for dealing with the major issues which humanity faces in the 21st century!

5.0 out of 5 stars Not to be read back to back April 29, 2013

By Rodolfo Q. Z

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great as a reference work, I found out about many interesting projects and ideas, I would suggest reading this books on topics that interest the reader, and not from beginning to end, as there are many topics that I found very boring but surely are very interesting for other readers. Just pick what you like, and you won't be disappointed.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read April 6, 2012

By Manuel Simao

Format:Paperback

I keep this book by my side and keep "jumping" reading different themes. It helps me look at the world in a more humanistic view. Everybody should read it try to get involved. Sorry about my bad English.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful March 2, 2012

By Hayro

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are into social equality, food justice, sustainable development or any charity or design inspired things. this book will have something for you. Whether it is about tracking where your products are made or donating money to train rats to detect landmines this book shows what people around the world are doing to make a difference and provides you with links to follow up or ideas to start your own ideas. I would recomend this to everyone!!