Our Environmental Handprints

"Jon Biemer celebrates people's ability and creativity. It is not just our amazing brains, but even more so our hands that turn ideas into reality. We can leave a positive legacy with our hands, and reverse our massive overuse of Earth's ecosystems. While inevitably we have an ecological footprint, our handprints can help us, our neighbors, our cities, and our countries not only to find ways to manage our own resource use, but also to build also to build pathways for a world where all can thrive within the means of our planet Earth. Jon's practical guidance is most welcome inspiration. --Mathis Wackernagel, author of ""Our Ecological Footprint"" and president of Global Footprint Network The most important thing an individual can do in the fight against global warming is join in the movements reshaping our politics and economies--but many people have creativity to spare, and this volume is a perfect guide to all the personal things that can make a difference too. --Bill McKibben, author of ""Deep Economy"" The Handprint--what a beautiful and elegant metaphor and example for respectfully and lovingly saving our planet from the ravages of climate change and environmental degradation! --Thom Hartmann, author of ""The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight"" This book is for all of us who think that we are doing all that we can to help heal the planet. It is a relief to learn that there are always more ways we can work together to take better care of the precious environment that sustains us all. --Judith A. Ramaley, president emerita, Portland State University This is a heartfelt entreaty from a retired energy conservation consultant to do something, anything, to alleviate the environmental damage wrought by previous generations. Thoroughly grounded in reality, author Biemer's exhortations come across as reassuring, emphasizing the differences even tiny gestures make. He uses the metaphors of handprints, intentional, corrective actions, and footprints, measures of energy consumption and waste production, as ways to help readers develop a climate neutral life plan. As chapters progress, so do his easily achievable, specific, everyday handprint suggestions, going beyond planting trees and wearing vintage clothing to creating neighborhood eco-villages, observing socially responsive investing and sustainable development, and getting kids outdoors, into nature. This ends up almost as a how-to manual, with every chapter ending with a challenge: ""How will you honor the soil?""; ""How will you become a steward of our oceans?"". The multiple solutions make the lessons go down easily, and the concluding sections highlight international economic and political initiatives and individuals who are effecting change. Biemer's final message is that success is within our grasp. Readers should be inspired, informed, and ready to go. YA Review: Teens will appreciate the relatable anecdotes, practical suggestions, and copious notes and backmatter that will help with reports. -- ""Booklist, Starred Review"""