Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Forn

by Carl N. McDaniel

The author profiles the work of eight visionaries who have dedicated their lives to various environmental issues. Each story provides a portrait of an individual's valiant and inspiring campaign to improve the conditions for life on our planet. Taken together, the work of these people points the way toward creating an ecologically centered civilization in which a brighter future for all life, including human, is possible.
*Terri Swearingen takes on one of the world's largest hazardous waste incinerators burning toxic waste next door to an elementary school.
*Stephen Schneider establishes the scientific basis for climate change
*Herman Daly advocates a dynamic steady-state economy that respects the laws of nature and human behavior.
*David Orr champions educational reform to make universities a place where students learn how to be environmentally aware citizens
*Werner Fornos works toward empowering every person with the knowledge and means to decide when and how many children to have
*Helena Norberg-Hodge champions local living with appropriate technologies to enhance our spiritual and ecological well-being.
*Wes Jackson promotes sustainable agriculture based on local ecology and community values
*Dave Foreman leads the effort to rewild almost half of North America with wolves, mountain lions, jaguars, falcons, and others to restore functional ecosystems and preserve biodiversity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sustainability, Ecology, Environment

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2005

Reviews

[Rachel Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Paradise found is paradise lost.” - E. O. Wilson

It’s difficult reading this book, published in 2005, knowing that the state of the environment (and environmental policy) has not improved with age.

And yet, what this book and its structure do so well is remind us that one person’s actions can make a difference. I enjoyed each chapter focusing on a different person’s journey tackling a specific environmental issue and learned a lot about environmental topics (such as population) that I don’t usually dive into.

[Erik Akre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of essays about famous and potent environmental activists, thinkers, educators, and visionaries contains a remarkable amount of biography that anyone could think inspiring. Each person is living a life of integrity and vision, not only changing the world but genuinely being that change at the same time. Any environmentalist-minded person might find their stories and their thinking interesting, at very least.

As for me, I found the essays a bit tiresome to read. I was amazed, and I admire these people so much, but I confess to being overwhelmed and daunted by the extent of their success, and by the overwhelming challenges they (and we) still face in the world. The read made me tired, and I was even less motivated to work on my own. Of course, this was the exact opposite of the expected outcome when I finished the book.

I am so thankful that these people are out there. I had to come face-to-face with my own laziness and relative apathy as I moved through their stories (each of which in itself could be expanded to fill an entire book). As I became discouraged, I became ever-more thankful that there are people out there with such bravery and vision.

And this hope is what I ultimately took away from the book, even as I moved back into my conventional, ambiguously un-sustainable lifestyle. There are people successfully fighting the good fight while the rest of us are half-waking from our slumbers.

[Rosaly Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! It was a source of motivation and inspiration towards sustainability. Great insight and ideas! Although a little dated (I just discovered this book recently thanks to my sister), it was still very relevant.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, interesting (if somewhat depressing) ideas, and yet kind of a slog for me to get thru. I did love the chapter on David Orr - made me wonder if it is too late for me to go to Oberlin and get my environmental studies degree? - but there were two areas that really stuck with me and don't have all that much to do with the premise of the book. The first was in Herman Daly's chapter where he describes the ambivalence he and his father have toward higher education (Ph. D. standing for "phenomenally dumb") and the Stephen Schneider comment "I learned you better separate someone's character from somebody's ideas. They aren't always the same. It would have been so much nicer to live with the belief that people's ideas and character are the same, but they aren't. That was a painful but very important thing to learn."
Both of these ideas are relevant to me right now.
Recommend.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was included in a list required reading for a 500 level conservation biology course. It is a compilation of several contemporary "conservationists" telling their stories of working on population issues in third-world countries, stopping nuclear waste incinerators and becoming an influential member in the Earth First movement. I would have to say there some stories I was more sympathetic towards than others. These are difficult issues, I wish there was more wisdom...

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the latter part of this book (for some reason first few stories didn't really interest me that much...I sort of glossed over them) but I really liked the whole environmental economics parts of it. also liked reading the people's backstories - those were probably the best part. otherwise it was alright.