Less is More: Embracing Simplicity for a Healthy Planet, a Caring Economy and Lasting Happiness
288
Less is More: Embracing Simplicity for a Healthy Planet, a Caring Economy and Lasting Happiness
288eBook
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Overview
Less stuff, less stress - more freedom, more joy.
Our obsessive pursuit of wealth isn't working-people are afraid and anxious; we're destroying the planet, undermining happiness, and clinging to an unsustainable economy.
But there's another way. Less can be More. Throughout history wise people have argued that we need to live more simply-that only by limiting outer wealth can we have inner wealth. Less is More is a compelling collection of essays by people who have been writing about Simplicity for decades -including Jim Merkel, Bill McKibben, Duane Elgin, Juliet Schor, Ernest Callenbach, John de Graaf, and more. They bring us a new vision of Less: less stuff, less work, less stress, less debt. A life with Less becomes a life of More: more time, more satisfaction, more balance, more security.
When we have too much, we savor nothing. When we choose less, we regain our life and can think and feel deeply. Ultimately, a life of less connects us with one true source of happiness: being part of a caring community. Less is More shows how to turn individual change into a movement that leads to policy changes in government and corporate behavior, work hours, the wealth gap and sustainability. It will appeal to those who want to take back their lives, their planet and their well-being.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781550924312 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | New Society Publishers |
| Publication date: | 09/01/2009 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 288 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
About the Author
Cecile Andrews is a community educator, author of Circle of Simplicity, and contributor to several books on living more simply and taking back our time. She has a doctorate from Stanford and teaches at Seattle University. She and her husband are founders of Seattle's Phinney Ecovillage, a neighborhood-based sustainable community. Wanda Urbanska is a Harvard graduate whose life's work has involved living simply. She is the President of Simple Living Company, www.simplelivingtv.net , the producer/host of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska, and the author of three books on the subject. She lives in Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Cecile Andrews is a community educator, author of Circle of Simplicity and contributor to several books on living more simply and taking back our time. She and her husband are founders of Seattle's Phinney Ecovillage, a neighborhood-based sustainable community.
Wanda Urbanska is producer/host of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. She is author or co-author of numerous books, including Simple Living and Nothing's Too Small to Make a Difference.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Part One: Simplicity Defined
Introduction
Cecile Andrews
Simple Living: Lessons from the World of Television
Wanda Urbanska
Voluntary Simplicity: Cool Lifestyle for a Hot Planet
Duane Elgin
Graceful Living
Jerome Segal
A Scientific Approach to Voluntary Simplicity
Tim Kasser and Kirk Warren Brown
Finding Real Wealth: Twice the Value for Half the Resources
Dave Wann
Religion and the Earth
Rev. Canon Sally Bingham
The Circle of Simplicity
Cecile Andrews
Like Corn in the Night: Reclaiming a Sense of Time
Rebecca Kneale Gould
Simplicity, Simply Put
Tom Turnipseed
Enroute to Eldertown: Where Fast Lanes Turn into Pastures and Meadows
Theodore Roszak
Part Two: Solutions
Introduction
Cecile Andrews
Simplicity Isn't "Voluntary" Any More
Ernest Callenbach
The Lagom Solution
Alan AtKisson
Creating a Life You Love
Wanda Muszynski
Taking Back Family Life from Overscheduling
William J. Doherty
Why I Farm
Bryan Welch
Why People of Faith Must Care for the Planet
Matthew Sleeth
Nearing Enough
Linnea Johnson
Culture as a Guidepost for a Balanced Life
Cathy O'Keefe
"...and All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands"
Michael Schut
Decluttering
Sarah Susanka
Wabi-Sabi Time
Robyn Griggs Lawrence
Changing the World One Block at a Time
Jay Walljasper
The Real Wealth of Neighborhoods
Dave Wann
The Speed Trap
Jay Walljasper
Creating the Educational Foundations for Change
John E. Wear, Jr.
Part Three: Policies
Introduction
Cecile Andrews
A Mature Economy
Bill McKibben
Why Isn't This Empire Sustainable
Dave Wann
Radical Sustainability
Jim Merkel
Downshifting to a Carbon-friendly Economy
Juliet Schor
What's the Economy for, Anyway?
John de Graaf
We Are Hard-wired to Care and Connect
David Korten
Afterword
Time to Talk! Creating Simplicity Conversation Circles
Cecile Andrews
Notes
Index
About the Editors
What People are Saying About This
"Here it is! The leading thinkers on simplicity, sustainability and doing more with less, gathered together in an inspiring volume that will have you smiling, nodding and saying "Yes!" in affirmation." — Ed Begley, Jr., "Living Like Ed"
"Our species confronts a triple crisis: every biological system is deteriorating, we face growing social inequality, and the global economy has entered what could be a long depression. In their book, Less Is More , Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska give us a blueprint for addressing all three of these crises at the same time. Through their deep understanding of the connection between personal enlightenment and social action, they chart a pathway for saving humanity from itself. Do us all a favor and read this book." — Dr. Kevin Danaher, Co-Founder, Global Exchange, Green Festivals, Global Citizen Center
"With our economy and climate in crisis, these times call for a change in how we live. Visionaries Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska show us that living simply is a joyful antidote for these global problems. With words fresh from the minds of visionary leaders, Less is More will help anyone recognize that living simply is a win-win-win: good for the planet, for communities, and for your pocket book." — Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director of Green America
"Simplicity is a wonderful route to the well-being of people and the planet. The writers assembled here are absolutely inspiring, giving you hope and vision. Humanity still has time!" — Carol Holst, co-director of Simple Living America and editor of Get Satisfied
" Less Is More — in its elegant form and substantive content — communicates the essential message that simplicity is the solution to so many of our problems. This book is a powerful tool for those curious about how to simplify their lives and veteran simplicity advocates alike. A definite must-read!" — Erik Assadourian, Research Associate, Project Director, State of the World 2010, Worldwatch Institute
"An impressive collection of essays from wise authors... authors who have known for years that the path to economic stability, environmental restoration and creating vibrant, healthy communities can be found by learning to do more with less. Less is More is a must read in these challenging times." — Dave Wampler, founder, The Simple Living Network, www.simpleliving.net
"Andrews and Urbanska have done it again, making a compelling case for why less is better by bringing together an eclectic array of writers, thinkers and sustainabilty advocates who live in ways that echo what they write about. We all know that you can't buy happiness, great friends or a healthy community. By rediscovering the joy and satisfaction that comes from simplicity, frugality, and community, we can remake the world where everyone gets to share. Read the book, then live its lessons." — Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko, co-authors of ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance