Spirits Rising!

It's easy to get discouraged about the state of the world — the way in which the 'system' becomes ever more unbalanced in favor of the rich, the greedy, the "Men in Gray Suits." But if you travel to the kinds of events that we do, as often as we do, it's hard to stay mired in despair. For there's an equally strong spirit of determination apparent in hearts and minds across the continent, as evidenced by the truly upbeat events this year such as San Francisco's World Environment Day, the Mid-West Renewable Energy Association gathering, the Green Living Expo in the Twin Cities, BC's Organic Growers Conference, SolFest in California, Green Festivals in Washington DC and San Francisco, and Green Build, Atlanta… Attendance at all of these events is growing by leaps and bounds: proof that people have had enough of being passive victims! New Society readers and authors actively help make these events as presenters, organizers, sponsors, attendees... Its enough to warrant optimism!

Squeezing those tourists dry

Ross Klein, author of Cruise Ship Blues gained well-earned notoriety for his exposé of the dirty tricks involved in the cruise ship industry, mostly of an environmental nature. Now, with Cruise Ship Squeeze: The New Pirates of the Seven Seas he's back with a deeper look at how the captains of this remarkably fast-growing industry are keel-hauling everyone – passengers, ports, politicians, governments, and the marine environment – in their quest for ever greater profits. Piracy never had it so good, neither is there much to equal the no-holds-barred extreme fringe of capitalism that the cruise business represents. As one commentator says of this work: "Ross Klein is the Ralph Nader of the cruise industry."

• Browse the Contents
• Read the Introduction

Awakening from suburbia: sprawl breeds violence

"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all…" Disney's characterization of the American Dream still rings in the head after 30 or more years. Suburbia was where everyone was headed: the pinnacle of western growth, the ideal of happiness-ever-after. Many critiques later, the idol of suburbia lies mostly shattered in pieces on the ground. But Douglas Morris has more to say. Having lived in Europe for 14 years, he knows how safe and enjoyable an experience it is to live in a viable city -- which only throws the suburbs into further contrast. It's a Sprawl World After All looks long and hard at suburbia and makes the startling connection between suburban sprawl and the violent breakdown of American society. Provocative and thoughtful, it is an impassioned plea for smart growth and the rebuilding of community.

• Check out the Advance Praise
• Read the Foreword by Ray Oldenburg, author of The Great Good Place

Permaculture and ecovillages

As a reaction to the breakdown of western society's nuclearization of the family, ecovillages are enjoying popularity and steady growth as people seek more sustainable social arrangements. Adding to New Society's line of books on this topic is Ecovillages; A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities by Jan Martin Bang. With feet in the permaculture movement, Jan covers ecovillage experiments around the world, describing the many elements involved and highlighting "Living Examples" in full color.

• Check out the Contents
• Read Chapter 2: Patterns in Nature

The challenge of collecting rainwater

Living in a Gulf Island rainforest, you'd think that the last thing we'd ever need is to collect rainwater, right? Wrong. We also happen to be nicely placed in the rain shadow from Vancouver Island, meaning that in bad years especially, we can face a three to four month drought in the summer months. So we have an affinity for desert dwellers and their need to capture wet offerings from the gods. It was with great pleasure, then, that we discovered Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged by Suzy Banks with Richard Heinichen and it is with even greater pleasure that we now offer this book to our water-needy readers. Although the authors are from Texas, their knowledge knows no bounds and, as an added bonus, you'll find this to be the funniest practical book ever published. Real Goods calls it "not only the best book on the subject of rainwater collection we've ever found, it's funny enough for recreational reading, and comprehensive enough to painlessly lead a rank amateur through the process."

• See the Contents
• Read an excerpt from Chapter 3: Siting Your Tank

The herbs and the bees

Savvy gardeners get nature to do their work for them – or some of it at least. The Little Book of Garden Heroes reveals a little of what such gardeners know: how to choose useful plants that rule out the need for chemicals and how to create an environment that encourages beneficial plants and animals. From the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, this delightful little book – a partner to The Little Book of Slugs -- is full of interesting facts and features composters, pollinators, plants and predators.

• Read an excerpt

Helping buildings go green

David Johnston, coauthor of Green Remodeling, is a continent-wide authority on green building and remodeling. Now, with the release of this four DVD set, Green Building: Your Edge in the Home Building Marketplace, you can sit back and watch as he and fellow presenters Marc Richmond and David Bierman tell you all you need to know about building green. This video version of David Johnston's acclaimed seminar provides practical, accurate information about building from the ground-up – packed with information about how to do it in ways that are energy-conscious, healthy and environmentally responsible. As Helen English, Executive Director of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council says: "David Johnston uses rich language, anecdotes and anec-don'ts to help translate needs and desires into refreshed spaces that are gorgeous, great and green." -- More than seven hours of content for PC, Mac or DVD player.

• Check out the Advance Praise for the DVD