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How to Save the World in Your Spare Time
Whoever said you cant fight city hall, never had access to a book like this. An invaluable guide and fascinating glimpse into the life of a tireless campaigner for the planet, How to Save the World In Your Spare Time can show anyone how to fight for a cause.If you have ever tried to save a local hospital, keep a neighbourhood school open, or stop logging in a nearby forest, you will immediately recognize the benefits of this accessible handbook. Covered are topics such How to get your issue in the news How to organize How to lobby How to mount a successful campaignA veteran environmental organizer and activist, Elizabeth May has put decades of experience and advice into this entertaining read. Sprinkled throughout are stories of her career in from adventures in the Amazon with Sting and Gordon Lightfoot, to surprising stories of Canadian political figures including the late Dalton Camp and Prime Minister Paul Martin.With How to Save the World In Your Spare Time Elizabeth May has given Canadians the tools they need to protect their communities and the planet. [How to Save the World in Your Spare Time] offers useful ideas, valuable insights and sound direction for anyone seeking to bring about social change. Atlantic Books Today
Paperback
First published March 16, 2006
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About the author
Elizabeth May
13 books20 followersElizabeth Evans May OC MP, is an American-born Canadian environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and politician currently serving as leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands. She was the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada from 1989 to 2006.
May became a Canadian citizen in 1978. She currently resides in Sidney, British Columbia with her daughter, Victoria Cate May Burton. She is studying theology at Saint Paul University, and describes herself as a practising Anglican.
May became a Canadian citizen in 1978. She currently resides in Sidney, British Columbia with her daughter, Victoria Cate May Burton. She is studying theology at Saint Paul University, and describes herself as a practising Anglican.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 4, 2020
I found this book to be a great source of knowledge in acquiring information in regards to activism. This book covers all the steps necessary for getting involved in a greater change.
November 5, 2008
This book is inspiring and has many good suggestions for organizing and keeping focused. Anyone who is an organizer or a participant in any organization can benefit from this book.
January 4, 2011
A great book for those new to activism.
July 12, 2022
*3.5 stars*
Elizabeth May's book How to save the world in your spare time has some really good information on building and sustaining movements. It is from 2006, so some of the information is a bit dated now, but it was interesting to read what sort of strategies and methods go on behind-the-scenes in community-led efforts to, effectively, "save the planet."
Some of it didn't quite hit the mark - it had a lot of top-down organizational information but I assume I'm going to be one of the peons making petitions, not someone flying chartered planes with celebrities to save Amazonian basins. Those stories are super cool but they felt more like part of a memoir than part of how-to, if it makes sense? Also made me sort of jealous in that my life is much, much, more boring.
Elizabeth May's book How to save the world in your spare time has some really good information on building and sustaining movements. It is from 2006, so some of the information is a bit dated now, but it was interesting to read what sort of strategies and methods go on behind-the-scenes in community-led efforts to, effectively, "save the planet."
Some of it didn't quite hit the mark - it had a lot of top-down organizational information but I assume I'm going to be one of the peons making petitions, not someone flying chartered planes with celebrities to save Amazonian basins. Those stories are super cool but they felt more like part of a memoir than part of how-to, if it makes sense? Also made me sort of jealous in that my life is much, much, more boring.
October 9, 2017
Written like Elizabeth speaks, in plain easy to understand, makes perfect sense English. Filled with side bars of her varied experiences and covers everything from getting media and public attention, to fund raising, utilising the talents and skills within your group to staying out of court. The final chapter is the piece de resitance, "A life that is meaningful every single day, is rare in this world. Your life was a gift to you. Make it a gift to the world."
June 15, 2012
* * * * 1/2
The back cover of this book tells you that, if you have five minutes, you can save the world. Elizabeth May, now (as of 2012) the leader of the Green Party of Canada and the country's first Green MP, wrote this back when she was the Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada. She takes on the overwhelming task of "saving the world" and breaks it down into manageable steps, showing how it is possible for even one citizen to make a difference. Chapters cover such topics as how to choose a goal for your campaign, organizing media coverage, fundraising, meeting with members of government, and more. It also includes some sample media documents (e.g. news releases) and an appendix on petitioning the House of Commons, useful for Canadian activists.
May writes in a friendly, conversational style, and it was heartening to see some of her tips include the human element: "please" and "thank you" are always welcome to hear, and people on the other side of the debate are people too (in more heated debates, this can be very easy to forget). Each chapter also includes a handy "Lessons Learned" section that recaps what has just been covered, and May draws extensively from her personal experiences when fleshing out those lessons.
The only improvements that could be made to this book are slightly more vigilant copyediting and perhaps an updated edition to discuss activism via social media (this was first published in 2006 -- shocking how fast technology advances these days). Recommended for those who are passionate about a cause and want to become involved, but aren't sure where to start.
The back cover of this book tells you that, if you have five minutes, you can save the world. Elizabeth May, now (as of 2012) the leader of the Green Party of Canada and the country's first Green MP, wrote this back when she was the Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada. She takes on the overwhelming task of "saving the world" and breaks it down into manageable steps, showing how it is possible for even one citizen to make a difference. Chapters cover such topics as how to choose a goal for your campaign, organizing media coverage, fundraising, meeting with members of government, and more. It also includes some sample media documents (e.g. news releases) and an appendix on petitioning the House of Commons, useful for Canadian activists.
May writes in a friendly, conversational style, and it was heartening to see some of her tips include the human element: "please" and "thank you" are always welcome to hear, and people on the other side of the debate are people too (in more heated debates, this can be very easy to forget). Each chapter also includes a handy "Lessons Learned" section that recaps what has just been covered, and May draws extensively from her personal experiences when fleshing out those lessons.
The only improvements that could be made to this book are slightly more vigilant copyediting and perhaps an updated edition to discuss activism via social media (this was first published in 2006 -- shocking how fast technology advances these days). Recommended for those who are passionate about a cause and want to become involved, but aren't sure where to start.
June 6, 2011
I thought this was a great book - a bit of a silly title, given that it's about how to be an activist in Canada, from the former president of the Sierra Club, who is now our first Green Party representative in parliament as of our last national election - but still a great read for those who wonder what to do about where the world is going, and who aren't sure how to get started. May gives practical pointers for organizing, working with volunteers, staying focused and positive, and dealing with the media. Solid stuff.
August 6, 2016
A very good introduction and a handy handbook into the complex world of political side of activism. While this book was written with Canadians and the Canadian political system in mind much of the material is universal is scope. Whether you want to discover ways to act alone from your home- that really do make a difference- or want to start up a grassroots organization that actually works, this books gives you the information that you need to know to. This book doesn't sugar coat activism. Down sides and unpleasant possible outcomes to the different strategies mentioned are also covered.
December 19, 2016
This is a little dated already in some ways -- social media in particular, which May acknowledges will change before she even finishes the book -- but otherwise a useful and thorough overview of activism techniques for Canadians. I finished the book with a lot more understanding of May and more respect for the years of work she did even before joining politics.
I think this book will be very useful to me in 2017.
I think this book will be very useful to me in 2017.
April 18, 2017
A surprisingly-effective read for anyone new to activism or just looking to learn more about Elizabeth May's philosophy.
I really wasn't expecting much out of this book when I picked it up, but found myself being drawn in by May's anecdotes about her history of campaigns against political actions (starting with her mother, who campaigned against politicians in the U.S. in the 60s and 70s). There's a lot of good information here about how to (legally) protest and have your voice heard against the government, as well as a smattering of chapters that tell you what to do in the event of physical confrontations or lawsuits.
The most surprising aspect is one I'm not sure many people know about. The book is surprisingly effective at detailing journalism-inspired techniques like filing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, writing out query letters to politicians and how to go into a meeting or town hall and ask leading statements to get the information you want. This would be a fantastic book for a journalist who's just starting out.
May's passion for activism certainly shines through on every page. If you can, pick up How to Save the World in Your Spare Time - it's an engaging little read for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community.
I really wasn't expecting much out of this book when I picked it up, but found myself being drawn in by May's anecdotes about her history of campaigns against political actions (starting with her mother, who campaigned against politicians in the U.S. in the 60s and 70s). There's a lot of good information here about how to (legally) protest and have your voice heard against the government, as well as a smattering of chapters that tell you what to do in the event of physical confrontations or lawsuits.
The most surprising aspect is one I'm not sure many people know about. The book is surprisingly effective at detailing journalism-inspired techniques like filing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, writing out query letters to politicians and how to go into a meeting or town hall and ask leading statements to get the information you want. This would be a fantastic book for a journalist who's just starting out.
May's passion for activism certainly shines through on every page. If you can, pick up How to Save the World in Your Spare Time - it's an engaging little read for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews