Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker's Guidebook

by Nick Mucha (editor), Patrick Thomas (Editor), Jessica Flint (Editor)

A Global Guidebook for Activism in the Age of Climate Chaos and Social Injustice In 1994, Patagonia invited representatives from 75 grassroots nonprofit organizations to gather and learn from active experts how to be more effective at what they do. Through this ongoing conference as well as years of funding these organizations, Patagonia has helped thousands of activists make the changes they envision for the world. In 2016, Patagonia published Tools for Grassroots Activists, a compilation of presentations from the Tools conferences, accompanied by case studies and inspiring essays from environmental leaders. The world since then has changed in profound ways, and this new edition reflects the world we now occupy. Completely revised, Tools to Save Our Home A Changemaker’s Guidebook, captures the wisdom and best advice from activists in the field, creating a resource for any organization hoping to hone core skills. The lessons and examples it shares are as current, diverse, and global as the changemakers working around the world. At a high level, the book’s structure echos an activist’s journey. It begins with self-reflection, essays prompting readers to identify their purpose and clarify their cause. The focus shifts to the inner workings of an organization or campaign―how to create a communications strategy, organize people, and fundraise―before taking an outward look at creating momentum through mobilizing and events, using political tools, collaborating with other people and organizations, and taking legal action. The book culminates with a chapter all about How combining purpose, effective organizations, and momentum can create a tidal wave that can change the world. A go-to resource for driving change, offering anyone who is passionate about environmental and social justice a timely and relevant resource to support their mission-aligned work, this book is intended for both those who are new to taking action and seasoned activists and community organizers who want to learn how others are finding success. The hope is that, like its predecessor, it will become dog-eared and scribbled in -- a reassuring and resourceful companion to the environmental and environmental justice movements.

Genres: Sustainability

400 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2025

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for climate leaders in any stage of their career. Over the course of ~15 essays about best-in-class climate leaders, Tools to Save Our Home Planet paints a mosaic of the many different types of skills required to advocate for a better world: strategy, financial planning, board design, grassroots organizing, campaign development, and more. Everyone can level up their toolkit in at least one or more of these disciplines, and the book has some inspiring stories of successful campaigns. This should be enough (sustainable) fuel to get readers fired up to go out and make change.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was solid and went into great depth and stories about how to be effective at activism and influencing change.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read like a deck I wrote for work