Every fifteen seconds on our Earth, a child dies from waterborne disease. Three times an hour, another species becomes extinct. Each day we consume eighty-five million barrels of oil and pump twenty-three million tons of carbon dioxide into an already warming atmosphere. But against this bleak backdrop, beacons of hope shine from thousands of large and small initiatives taking place everywhere from isolated villages to major urban centers.
Thriving Beyond Sustainability draws a collective map of individuals, organizations, and communities from around the world that are committed to building an alternative future—one that strives to restore ecological health; reinvent outmoded institutions; and rejuvenate our environmental, social, and economic systems. The projects and initiatives profiled are meeting the challenges of the day with optimism, hope, and results, leading the way in:
- Relocalization
- Green commerce
- Ecological design
- Environmental conservation
- Social transformation
Overflowing with inspiration, the stories and ideas in these pages will cause the most chronic pessimist to see the glass as half full—to move beyond a perception of surviving with scarcity to one of flourishing with abundance. The comprehensive resource section provides the tools for everyone to become a catalyst for change.
Andres R. Edwards is the author of The Sustainability Revolution, which has sold over twenty thousand copies. He is an educator, media designer, LEED-accredited green building and sustainability consultant, and the founder of EduTracks, a firm specializing in developing education programs and providing consulting services on sustainable practices.
Gold Medal Winner, 2011 Living Now Book Awards, Social Activism
Turning challenge into opportunity--a survey of successful sustainable ideas and practices from around the world.
An inventory of grounded hope, practical inspiration, and achievable visions; exactly the kind of thinking, work, and doing that will bring civilization to safe harbor. - David W. Orr, author of Down to the Wire
Andres Edwards is a walking database of information on efforts to create sustainable societies, and his enthusiasm for the promise of sustainability is infectious. - Gary Gardner, Senior Researcher, Worldwatch Institute
Thoroughly researched, deeply contemplated, and yet eminently practical. I warmly recommend it to anyone concerned about the future of human civilization. - Fritjof Capra, author of The Web of Life and The Hidden Connections
This is a beautifully written and eloquent plea for us to wake up to our potential and begin to exercise our natural talent for survival. An extensive resource list at the end provides a wealth of references for further research. This volume is written in a spirit of hope and promise that, if we are willing to follow a fairly simple and direct path, we indeed have hope for a viable future. - Journal of Sustainability Education
