Do It Yourself
A Handbook For Changing Our World
Do you really want to change the world? If the answer is YES, then this book shows you how.
Ethical consumerism is now big business. But leading a sustainable and truly radical life encompasses a whole variety of things that challenge the mainstream. This book shows how we can make real changes to the way we live. In simple steps, it describes how you can create sustainable and equitable ways of living that can help transform not just your own life, but the culture around you.
The book weaves together analysis, stories and experiences. It combines in-depth analytical chapters followed by easy to follow 'How to Guides' with practical ideas for change. Taken together, these small steps can move us towards taking back control of our lives from governments and corporations.
Ethical consumerism is now big business. But leading a sustainable and truly radical life encompasses a whole variety of things that challenge the mainstream. This book shows how we can make real changes to the way we live. In simple steps, it describes how you can create sustainable and equitable ways of living that can help transform not just your own life, but the culture around you.
The book weaves together analysis, stories and experiences. It combines in-depth analytical chapters followed by easy to follow 'How to Guides' with practical ideas for change. Taken together, these small steps can move us towards taking back control of our lives from governments and corporations.
'A wonderful book. I recommend it with enormous enthusiasm' - John Holloway, author of Change the World Without Taking Power
'Everyone can find a part of this fantastic collection that will fire them into action. In a world where most books of this ilk end with a link to a government website, it's a real breath of fresh air to find one that leaves you wanting a padlock, chain and a bus ticket to RyanAir's HQ' - Ecologist
'Kaleidoscopic, energetic and refreshingly full of practical details'
- Robert Newman, comedian and novelist 'Written by grassroots activists, it explains how to reduce energy consumption, organise without leaders, create health collectives, educate, run social centres, and reclaim the media - indispensable for community activists' - Green Shopping Catalogue 'Very thoughtful and sophisticated ... helps you act and makes you think. Give it to everyone you know' - Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark
Glossary
Introduction: Do it yourself
1. Why the party's over
2. How to get off the grid
3. Why do it without leaders
4. How to make decisions ourselves
5. Why society is making us sick
6. How to manage our own health
7. Why we've still got a lot to learn
8. How to inspire change through learning
9. Why we are what we eat
10. How to set up community gardens
11. Why we need cultural activism
12. How to prank, play and subvert the system
13. Why we have to reclaim the commons
14. How to set up autonomous spaces
15. Why we need to reclaim the media
16. How to communicate beyond TV
17. Why we need to take direct action
18. How to build active campaigns
Conclusions: Changing our world
Index
Introduction: Do it yourself
1. Why the party's over
2. How to get off the grid
3. Why do it without leaders
4. How to make decisions ourselves
5. Why society is making us sick
6. How to manage our own health
7. Why we've still got a lot to learn
8. How to inspire change through learning
9. Why we are what we eat
10. How to set up community gardens
11. Why we need cultural activism
12. How to prank, play and subvert the system
13. Why we have to reclaim the commons
14. How to set up autonomous spaces
15. Why we need to reclaim the media
16. How to communicate beyond TV
17. Why we need to take direct action
18. How to build active campaigns
Conclusions: Changing our world
Index
Published by Pluto Press in May 2007
Paperback ISBN: 9780745326375
eBook ISBN: 9780745348278
eBook ISBN: 9780745348278
170mm x 205mm