The Ecology of Hope: Communities Collaborate for Sustainability

This wonderful book gives us hope -- if we are willing to pitch in and work with others. It gives examples of how people in very different communities have come together to overcome difficulties and make significant improvements to their environments. Menominee Indians are maintaining a sustainable timber forest in the midst of land that have been devastated by loggers, and suburban Chicagoans are restoring nearby prairie lands to their original condition. Based on the authors' experiences gained while visiting these groups, the last chapter provides very helpful practical suggestions of how people can effectively be organized to bring about positive change. This book, if taken seriously by enough people, can turn us in the right direction

I have read the book and heard Jora speak -- they are both incredibly inspiring. Sustainability is one of those terms that is often used in ecological circles -- Ted and Jora give concrete examples of its application in our society, and from those examples flow hope. I bought this book thinking that I would read two scientists' view of ecology. When I finished I realized that I had not only learned some science, I had also been persuaded by the authors appreciation of the spiritual basis of ecology. Wanted: Reformers not of others, but of self.