and Holly Dressel's
More Good News
2010
$22.95 (CAN)
I don't know about you, but lately I have been finding it difficult to find inspiration amidst all of the pretty dire news around BP's oil spill and the general lack of good news stories when it comes to environmental or sustainability issues. Well, I shouldn't be so bleak. I admit I was definitely in need of a book like Holly Dressel and David Suzuki's More Good News. I'll try to keep the story short about how I picked this book up, but it all revolves around my interview with Dr. Suzuki for work and how this was a big moment for me.
Not too long ago, I felt very lucky to have the chance to speak with Dr. Suzuki over the phone about the work he is doing with his Foundation. Hearing Dr. Suzuki talk with such excitement about the great initiatives like training community motivators to bring about "greener" changes in their workplaces and communities was pretty great. I felt tongue-tied as I tried to muster up my questions for Dr. Suzuki who I'd watched on television as a child, mesmerized by his clear and steady delivery of the most fascinating natural science facts and history on The Nature of Things. For a man who could be in retirement, he sure is keeping busy with books, speaking tours and other upcoming projects. Needless to say, I listened intently and hoped my tape recorder wouldn't cut out on this really unique experience.
Back to More Good News, but perhaps along the same line, this book is all about sharing stories and accounts of how companies and individuals are coming up with sustainable solutions to help us navigate through the problems we've created on our planet. Sound interesting? Then read on...
Eco-stories to Save the Planet: More Good News spans a healthy number of topics to satiate appetites for various types of change, from biodiversity (how coyotes are being reintroduced to help encourage grass to grow in parts of the U.S.) to green jobs (examples of sustainable companies that are ensuring the jobs will be there for generations to come). This book is, I think, useful for those looking for solutions and possibly ideas to use in their own work and communities, though I'll admit it probably isn't going to be for everyone. The authors suggest that we must develop a whole new value system to continue living on this planet we call home. They point to the practices of traditional peoples as those we should model new forms of restraint and "conservation" after. If you're looking to make sustainability part of your "work", then you could use to pick up a copy of More Good News. You would definitely learn a thing or two.
About the authors: I have begun introducing you to Dr. David Suzuki already, but he is also an acclaimed scientist (on top of being an environmentalist and award-winning broadcaster) and he has authored more than 40 books. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the United Nations Environment Program Medal, the Right Livelihood Award and is also a Companion of the Order of Canada. His co-author is Holly Dressel, who also coauthored From Naked Ape to Superspecies (as well as the first edition of this book, Good News for a Change). Dressel is also an adjunct professor at the School of the Environment at McGill University.
Check out David Suzuki's Foundation for ways to get involved and motivate your community (if you live in Canada): www.davidsuzuki.org.
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