Blog

A weathered wooden outhouse stands on grass, reflecting Gord Baird’s composting toilets ethos.

Interview with Gord Baird, co-author of Essential Composting Toilets

If you’ve ever wondered how composting toilets really work, this one’s for you. In Essential Composting Toilets, Ann and Gord Baird explore practical, sustainable solutions for modern living. Today, co-author…

Four young people hiking, showing youth leadership in a lush, green forest by day.

From Spectators to Leaders: Helping Youth Thrive in a Distracted World

Educator Kurt Hahn urged hands-on learning, adventure, and responsibility to keep youth engaged. Kids These Days by Nevin Harper and Will Dobud revives his timeless call to help young people…

Grass fire burning in a field, demonstrating land revitalization near farm buildings and a silo.

How Cultural Burning Prevents Wildfires and Revitalizes the Land

Discover how prescribed burns, an ancient Indigenous practice of cultural burning, restore ecosystems, prevent catastrophic wildfires, and bring balance back to the land. Rooted in deep ecological and spiritual knowledge,…

A green seedling grows through cracked earth, surviving in an imperfect, warming world.

The Power Of Imperfect Solutions In A Warming World

In this excerpt from Sami Grover’s We’re All Climate Hypocrites Now, he reminds us that our so-called hypocrisies can actually be powerful tools in the fight for climate justice —…

Improve your health and save the planet: cycling in a suit on a leafy urban path.

Simple Lifestyle Changes That Can Save The Planet (and Improve Your Health)

From Runaway Climate by Steven Earle: our everyday choices—from what we eat to how we travel—can cut emissions, save money, and create healthier lives and communities.

Planet Earth engulfed in flames, symbolizing climate change and threatened Earth habitability.

How Earth Stayed Habitable for Billions of Years — Until Now

In A Brief History of the Earth’s Climate, Steven Earle explains why human-caused global warming differs from the natural shifts in Earth’s climate. This excerpt explores how the first ideas…

Rows of solar panels on grass generate clean power under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Solar Energy Basics: Why 100% Clean Power Is Possible

In this excerpt from Solar Electricity Basics, Second Edition by Dan Chiras, where he discusses the popular rise in solar power and whether it can generate enough power to meet…

Four children in colorful rain boots talk to kids about climate change outdoors in 2025.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change in 2025

It’s 2025, and climate change is something our kids are hearing about everywhere—from school to social media to conversations at home. As parents and caregivers, we want to be honest…

A single footprint in smooth, golden sand marks your magic number in carbon math.

Carbon Math Made Simple: Why 2.5 Tonnes Is The Magic Number

In this excerpt from Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle by Lloyd Alter, he looks at carbon reduction through an equity lens: How can we imagine a world where everyone gets…

Roasted carrots, potatoes, and other underground staples with rosemary on a baking sheet.

Root Vegetables Explained: The Essentials of These Underground Staples

In Root Vegetables, the latest in Jean-Martin Fortier’s Grower’s Guides, you’ll discover what makes these simple, but nutrient-packed powerhouse crops special, how to tell varieties apart, and why they belong…

Person kneeling and holding soil, focusing on plant care to revive plants in the background.

Why Your Plants Look Tired (and How To Fix It)

This excerpt from Jean-Martin Fortier’s Living Soil dives into common deficiencies, what they look like, and simple ways to bring your plants back to health and keep your garden thriving.

Split image: Tokyo Tower cityscape (left), energy-efficient park lighting at night (right).

The Sustainability Gap: Energy, Economy, and Lifestyle

Today, we share an excerpt from Lloyd Alter’s Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle that looks at why living a more eco-friendly lifestyle can be easier for some than for others…

A red apple on stacked books, pencils, and ABC blocks hints at When Kids Rule the School.

Interview with Jim Rietmulder, author of When Kids Rule the School

As a new school year begins, we talk with Jim Rietmulder, author of When Kids Rule the School and founding staff member of The Circle School, about the power and…

Two green rain barrels by a house showcase rainwater harvesting amid lush greenery and a tree.

Rainwater Harvesting 101: An Ancient Practice for Modern Water Security

In today’s blog excerpt from Essential Rainwater Harvesting, Rob and Michelle Avis share simple, evidence-based ways to design, build, and maintain rainwater systems for any home, in any climate.

Water splashing up from the surface of a dark container in mid-air.

Rainwater Harvesting for Garden Irrigation

This season has sparked a surge of interest in rainwater harvesting, as more people look for sustainable ways to make the most of heavy rainfall. With climate change bringing both…