| Do Good Lives Have to Cost the Earth? | 
 enlarge | Authors: Andrew Simms, Joe Smith
Publisher: Constable
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £3.07
You Save: £4.92 (62%)
New (29) Used (6) from £3.07
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 33638
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 277
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.9
ISBN: 1845296435
EAN: 9781845296438
ASIN: 1845296435
Publication Date: January 24, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New. Shipped from UK Mainland. Delivery is usually 2 - 3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Hmmmm??? June 24, 2008
This book had some good and worthwhile points but was also painfully middle-class in regards to the scope of its outlook and addressing the full scale of our environmental problems. What do I mean by this? Well, while it's all well and good to consider sustainable forms of energy, hybrid forms of non-Co2 producing vehicles and cutting ones carbon footprint by not holidaying abroad, the contributors to this book tend to forget that all of this takes money!!! (Something which few themselves appear to lack). While this is fine for the sort of individual or family who formally did the weekly shop at M&S... Tunisian grapes individually placed in a plastic box on top of bubble wrap, how nice... there is little consideration for the significant percentage of the populous for whom such things as a holiday abroad or 'organically reared' chicken are a luxury.
Don't get me wrong, any form of encouragement to be more conscientious in regards to how we collectively, and as individuals, effect the environment is undoubtedly a good thing but to affect any real change the solutions would have to be far more dramatic than any offered here... a significant change in industrial legislation and a government environmental policy that offers realistic alternatives might be an idea, as opposed to making us all feel bad for our "carbon footprints".
'Good Lives...' is a nice book to put on your bespoke Danish wall units or to read on your fortnights sojourn in Tuscany, but apart from that it's just more middle-class guilt tripping to worry you into buying more things you'll probably never need.
 Enlightens and entertains - what more could you want?! May 5, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Blimey. A book that enlightens entertains and most importantly, enthuses. For anyone who's ever felt weighed down by doom and gloom-mongering environmentalism, it's the perfect read - an honest look at the state of the planet with a positive approach to how we can tackle the challenges and live happier lives in the process. It's a real `want to buy it for everyone you know' one. Brilliant.
time for an environmental, social and economic renaissance March 4, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The concept behind this book is simple, but very important - good lives do not need to cost the earth. Where many environmentalists have called for sacrifice, abstinence, and the wearing of hair-shirts, the contributing writers to this collection call for more parties, tighter communities, healthier work patterns, better architecture, and better food.
As you may have guessed, this is a very varied set of contributions. Philip Pullman warns environmentalists that they need to tell better stories. David Goldblatt discusses the future of sport and worries that golf's days may be numbered. Anne Pettifor explores how credit is created and demands free money, and Tom Hodgkinson of the Idler calls for us all to do less. There is plenty of food for thought here, all delivered with a lightness of touch. It brings together the environment, economics, psychology and politics to explore a holistic sustainability agenda, and the emphasis is on inspiring, not berating.
Perhaps Colin Tudge says it best in describing the movement as a renaissance - something that is grass roots, but not a revolution - just people seeing things differently and changing their lives.
It makes you think what our real goals should be! February 22, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Not knowing much about environmental issues I thought this book was excellent. It discusses the environment, not in a narrow sense, but, instead in a way that brings together all sorts of different disciplines including psychology, economics, politics, employment and the work place as well as ecology/environmentalism.
The book is not written by one author but instead by a cross-section of about 12 people who have different backgrounds and specialisms. The main thing which comes out of the many articles is that in order to live a good life (ie one which is fulfilling but doesn't "cost the earth") Western society needs to have a good think about what it's goals are. It is a fact, proven by the latest research that materialism and consumerism and the struggle for greater wealth do not translate into greater happiness. However, materialism and consumerism do have deeply negative impacts on the environment and on people's wellbeing - but to what purpose if wealth doesn't even make you any happier?! I liked the quote, "if you want to be happy for a few hours then get drunk. If you want to be happy for a few years then get married, and if you want to be happy for your lifetime, get a garden"!
The book also provides interesting insights as to what the real solutions are - less work and greed and more time spent developing relationships and being involved in our local communities. Especially interesting is the chapter explaining why the international banking systems is so onerous to all but those who are already rich and are getting richer as a result of the system. Another very interesting point was that over the course of their lifetime, in fact Ferraris are more environmentally friendly than electric cars!
Everyone should read this book now!!
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