Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Building A Better World The Cycle Of Cynicism The Cycle Of Hope The Ten Thought Traps The Seven Foundations Of A Better World Economic Fairness Comprehensive Peace Ecological Sustainability Deep Democracy Social Justice Simple Living Revitalized Community Actions For A Better World Money Banking Credit Cards Saving Investing Shopping What to Buy Who to Buy It From Better World Buying Guide Food Buying Groceries Eating Planting a Garden Personal Extraordinary Living Emotional Well-Being Physical Well-Being Reflection Friends & Family Building Strong Relationships Giving Gifts Children Community Neighborhood Local Community Community Issues Spirituality & Religion Spiritual Well-Being Faith In Action Religious and Spiritual Community Spiritual and Religious Groups Home Energy Water Trash Lawn and Garden Your Home Work Workplace Relationships Socially Responsible Workplace Finding Good Work Media Television Radio Magazines Newspapers Internet Politics Voting Getting Involved The Top Ten Issues List Transportation Walking Bicycling Public Transit Automobiles Travel Where to Go Where to Stay What to Do Extraordinary Travel Organizations Getting Involved Giving Finding Organizations Amazing Organizations The Best of the Rest The Top Ten Actions For A Better World Notes Action Checklist About The Authors Index

"Wow! What an incredible resource! It reminds me that what people really want out of life is to make a difference and have some fun — and this book tells you how to do both at the same time. We in the Simplicity movement encourage people to buy less stuff, but books are exempt — particularly books like this!" — Cecile Andrews, author of Slow is Beautiful: New Visions of Community , Leisure and Joie de Vivre "Cynicism is the social disease of our age. Cynicism is what passes for insight when courage and vision are lacking. If there is such a thing as a single cure for cynicism, this book is it. The Better World Handbook gives us a step-by-step "blueprint" for creating conscious global citizens. It's a manual for better living that you will find yourself using over and over again." — Kevin Danaher, Cofounder, Global Exchange, and co-author of Insurrection: Citizen Challenges to Corporate Power "This handbook helps you answer that age-old question, "What can I do?" — With the help of the handbook, it turns out you can easily do a lot. Buy it, share it or get it from the library. But, most of all, use it to change our world for the better. This is an impressive resource for people who want their everyday actions to reflect caring and compassion for the environment and others." — Betsy Taylor, Executive Director, Center for a New American Dream "An excellent look at issues we face and concrete actions — small and large — that we can take to address them. The book also includes a large collection of useful resources." — Paul Loeb, author of Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time "This is exactly the resource consumers need to help create a sustainable world. The extensive background information and action steps are great tools for anyone looking for ways to make change happen now!" — Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director, Co-op America "People everywhere are hungry for meaning and purpose, wanting to make a difference, and be of service to something larger than themselves. The Better World Handbook provides valuable information and resources to manifest these intentions into practical reality. Keep a copy on your desk or reference shelf, and use it!" — Michael Toms, CEO, New Dimensions Radio, and co-author of True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do "We can make the world a better place and this book shows you how easy it is to really make a difference. I highly recommend that you buy it, use it and enjoy what you can do to help create positive change." — Jeffrey Hollender, President, Seventh Generation, and author of Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe and Healthy Non-Toxic Cleaning " The Better World Handbook provides a wealth of practical ideas for transforming our everyday activities of shopping, living, and working into an artful way of life that is more sustainable, just, and meaningful." — Duane Elgin, author of Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich and Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity's Future "The Revolution is not just around the corner, it's around every corner. I love this old saying because it captures the important truth highlighted in this inspiring book: The world can be changed through action in our everyday lives — where we spend our money, how we help out in our community, the ways we travel. This practical, enjoyable handbook shows how small improvements can add up to a big difference in the world." — Jay Walljasper, editor Ode Magazine and co-author of Visionaries: People and Ideas to Change Your Life and The Great Neighborhood Book: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Placemaking