LIST: Books I read in 2010 (and recommend)
Happy new year! I am ready for 2011 (“twenty-eleven!”), but for right now I’m going to give 2010 some respect and create a year-end list of my choosing to cap off the year (everyone’s doing it). Here, I share the books I’ve read this past year that I enjoyed and that had some influence on me. If you’re looking for a book to read maybe you’ll find one here. If not, then let this be a detour which may otherwise point you in the direction of a new idea or resource. The list likely will show where my interests have taken me during this past year. I offer my summary for each title…
The Marriage of Sense and Soul – Ken Wilber
Integrating Science and Religion. This a book by who is in my opinion the best American philosopher, Ken Wilber. He addresses what is an underlying cause of many issues of today: “there is arguably no more important and pressing topic than the relation of science and religion in the modern world.” As Ken describes in much of his work, there is a “philosophical Cold War” between the two, with each vying to deny the other (specifically, with modern science and premodern religion). There is a reconciliation – a way forward – that honors each in seeing the world as a whole, as Ken shows in his truly comprehensive way. Science gives us methods for discovering truth and simply showing us what is. However, “science cannot tell us whether something is good or bad, or what should be or could be or ought to be”. Religion, on the other hand, is the force which generates wisdom and meaning. Ken shows us the way to “unite the spiritual, subjective world of ancient wisdom with the objective, empirical world of modern knowledge”, and why that is so important.
Blessed Unrest – Paul Hawken
How the Largest Social Movement in History is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World. This book could use a whole post on its own. “This is the story of what is going right in the world”, amidst suffering and environmental degradation. Hawken writes on the grassroots movement occurring around the world: the many diverse nonprofits, NGOs, and businesses working to address the world’s most pressing environmental and social issues. ‘Remaking, revitalizing, regenerating, and reconsidering” is their work. Hawken likens this movement to the immune system of the body, where the movement is a collection of white blood cells rising up to the problems of pollution, greed, and corruption. A few chapters are dedicated to the movement’s roots: the American history of environmentalism, indigenous cultures, progressive efforts and its heroes. A key principle is that social and environmental issues are the two sides of a single, larger dilemma. “The way we harm the earth affects all people, and how we treat each other is reflected in how we treat the earth.” Hawken created a social network and database for sustainability called Wiser Earth.
Thriving Beyond Sustainability – Andrés Edwards
Pathways to a Resilient Society. Edwards’ previous book The Sustainability Revolution laid down the principles of sustainability. With his new book he creates an inventory, “a collective map of Earth Island”, showcasing examples of successful ideas and practices in the world. The main challenges are interrelated and global in scope: ecosystem decline, energy transition, population growth, economic disparity, and climate change. The book steps up to the plate and shows that these crises are an opportunity to build a brighter future. A key paradigm is to go beyond sustainability and to embrace the concept of thriveability. Rather than “sustaining” and seeking to limit negative impacts, the most effective approach is to work with abundance to regenerate and transform – to be creative. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living is here, with its pioneering Living Building Challenge certification. I worked at Omega last season and can attest to the beauty of the OCSL. The chapter “Lessons from our Ancestors” kicks off the book, describing traditional ecological knowledge: the ways Indigenous people lived with a deep respect and relationship with the land. Each chapter ends with a “Taking Action” section listing ways to get involved today. This book is full of inspiration and practical guidance to seeing the glass as half-full.
Deep Economy – Bill McKibben
The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future. This is McKibben’s important call for stronger local economies and communities. In a country that has seen increasing consolidation across critical sectors (food, radio, energy) in the name of “efficiency” and growth, what constitutes progress is no longer business as usual, but a shift to resilience. Indeed, our economy carries much inertia from holding More as the solution to all our problems, but More is no longer synonymous with Better. Indeed, we have a choice between between prosperity and endless growth. We cannot have both anymore. This is due to some basic facts in the way our economy works (it must grow) on planet Earth, which has finite resources. Ecology is “the study of the house”, whereas economy is “management of the house”. This is the case for an economics that faces reality and honors the house. This is not a romantic idealization of putting on the brakes and returning to “simpler times”. It is the inspired work of optimization over maximization that will lead us to a bright future.
More!!!
