Cecile Andrews - Less is More: Embracing Simplicity for a Healthy Planet, a Caring Economy and Lasting Happiness

Advance Praise for

Less is More

Here it is! The leading thinkers on simplicity, sustainability and doing more with less, gathered together in an inspiring volume that will have you smiling, nodding and saying Yes! in affirmation.

Ed Begley, Jr., Living Like Ed

Our species confronts a triple crisis: every biological system is deteriorating, we face growing social inequality, and the global economy has entered what could be a long depression. In their book, Less Is More, Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska give us a blueprint for addressing all three of these crises at the same time. Through their deep understanding of the connection between personal enlightenment and social action, they chart a pathway for saving humanity from itself. Do us all a favor and read this book.

Dr. Kevin Danaher,

Co-Founder, Global Exchange,

Green Festivals, Global Citizen Center

With our economy and climate in crisis, these times call for a change in how we live. Visionaries Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska show us that living simply is a joyful antidote for these global problems. With words fresh from the minds of visionary leaders, Less is More will help anyone recognize that living simply is a win-win-win: good for the planet, for communities, and for your pocket book.

Alisa Gravitz,

Executive Director of Green America

Simplicity is a wonderful route to the well-being of people and the planet. The writers assembled here are absolutely inspiring, giving you hope and vision. Humanity still has time!

Carol Holst, co-director of Simple Living America

and editor of Get Satisfied

Less Is More in its elegant form and substantive content communicates the essential message that simplicity is the solution to so many of our problems. This book is a powerful tool for those curious about how to simplify their lives and veteran simplicity advocates alike. A definite must-read!

Erik Assadourian, Research Associate, Project Director,

State of the World 2010, Worldwatch Institute

An impressive collection of essays from wise authors... authors who have known for years that the path to economic stability, environmental restoration and creating vibrant, healthy communities can be found by learning to do more with less. Less is More is a must read in these challenging times.

Dave Wampler, founder, The Simple Living Network,

www.simpleliving.net

Andrews and Urbanska have done it again, making a compelling case for why less is better by bringing together an eclectic array of writers, thinkers and sustainabilty advocates who live in ways that echo what they write about. We all know that you cant buy happiness, great friends or a healthy community. By rediscovering the joy and satisfaction that comes from simplicity, frugality, and community, we can remake the world where everyone gets to share. Read the book, then live its lessons.

Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko,

co-authors of ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance

Less is More

Embracing simplicity
for a healthy planet,
a caring economy and
lasting happiness

Cecile Andrews & Wanda Urbanska

NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS

Cataloging in Publication Data:

A catalog record for this publication is available

from the National Library of Canada.

Copyright 2009 by Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska.

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh.

Photo: iStock /Elena Ray

Printed in Canada.

First printing June 2009.

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-86571-650-6

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Less is More should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below.

To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com

Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to:

New Society Publishers

P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada

(250) 247-9737

New Society Publishers mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. This book is one step toward ending global deforestation and climate change. It is printed on Forest Stewardship Council-certified acid-free paper that is 100% post-consumerrecycled (100% old growth forest-free), processed chlorine free, and printed with vegetable-based, low-VOC inks, with covers produced using FSC-certified stock. Additionally, New Society purchases carbon offsets based on an annual audit, operating with a carbon-neutral footprint. For further information, or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com

Dedicated to

Paul, Rebecca, Daniel and

Maggie the Bichon

(the small dog who is always more).

Cecile Andrews

This anthology is dedicated to

Ann Belk whose friendship and

steadfast support mean the world to me.

Wanda Urbanska

Contents

Cecile Andrews

Wanda Urbanska

Duane Elgin

Jerome Segal

Tim Kasser and Kirk Warren Brown

Dave Wann

Rev. Canon Sally Bingham

Cecile Andrews

Rebecca Kneale Gould

Tom Turnipseed

Theodore Roszak

Cecile Andrews

Ernest Callenbach

Alan AtKisson

Wanda Muszynski

William J. Doherty

Bryan Welch

Matthew Sleeth

Linnea Johnson

Cathy OKeefe

Michael Schut

Sarah Susanka

Robyn Griggs Lawrence

Jay Walljasper

Dave Wann

Jay Walljasper

John E. Wear, Jr.

Cecile Andrews

Bill McKibben

Dave Wann

Jim Merkel

Juliet Schor

John de Graaf

David Korten

Cecile Andrews

When I graduated from college in the sixties, I worked with the American Friends Service Community as a community organizer in the South. One of the places I visited changed me forever: Highlander Center. It was a training center where Rosa Parks had participated not long before she took her historic action. The theme of Highlander was (and still is) simple: The wisdom is in the people. Bring people together to talk, and they will find the answers to the problems facing them. This became my model for social change.

My ideas about Simplicity have come to me this way learning from the people. So when I say I have hundreds of people to thank, I mean it. For years Ive been talking with people about Simplicity in circles and discussion groups. The idea of Simplicity is wonderful because everyone can contribute. No one is an expert. No one needs an advanced degree to contribute.

In addition to all of the people Ive met with over the years, there are the authors in this book. Most of them I know, and they are truly wonderful. I feel so grateful to have had them participate in this work.