Books published by publisher New Society Publishers

So, You Love Animals teaches 9–12 year-olds what is happening to other species, enabling them to turn their care for animals into effective and positive choices that improve their lives. Covering companion animals, farmed animals, those used in entertainment, sport, experimentation and wildlife, it engages kids with facts, games, skits, experiments and exciting activities, empowering them to make a difference.Zoe Weil is cofounder and President of the International Institute for Humane Education. She developed the first graduate program in humane education in the U.S. and conducts frequent humane education workshops. A parent, and author of several humane education books for young people—including Above All Be Kind (New Society, 2003)—she lives in Maine.

Jenn Savedge's book is packed with tips that teens can easily do to green up the world that they inhabit. Thee are also a few more challenging actions (like starting a school recycling program) for those ready to take their environmentalism up a notch. Jenn has done an impressive job creating a straightforwrd, well-organized reference book full of tips, resources and advice for eco-friendy teens. She not only explains the how's of going green; she explains the why's too, and helps teens to understand the importance of the part they can play in caring for the planet. - Robin Shreeves, Mother Nature NetworkToday’s teenagers are standing at the crossroads of environmental history. Global warming will fundamentally change the world as they know it within their lifetime. But how to keep their healthy environmental awareness from becoming environmental anxiety? The secret is to provide them with education and tools for positive action.Written in easily accessible language, The Green Teen combines simple and quick eco-friendly tips, interviews with “green teens,” ideas for organizing and communicating environmental change, and a host of resources in a handy “grab-and-go” format. Teens will learn:How the choices they make each day impact the environmentHow to fit eco-friendly decisions into their tight schedules and budgetsHow to effectively get today’s decision makers involved in environmental stewardshipTeens want to learn how to minimize their environmental impact at home, at school, and in their communities and get their concerns recognized by school officials, politicians, media, and even their own parents.The Green Teen is the book that will help them do it, and it is also a must-read for parents, grandparents, teachers, and school administrators who want to help the next generation make environmentally responsible choices.Jenn Savedge is the author of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living, an avid environmentalist, and a recognized authority and frequent speaker on reducing the environmental impact of the family. Her articles have appeared in national print and on-line media, www.thegreenparent.com.

Sustainability may seem like one more buzzword and cities and towns like the last places to change, but The Natural Step for Communities provides inspiring examples of communities that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability and explains how others can emulate their success.Chronicled in the book are towns like Övertorneå, whose government operations recently became 100 percent fossil fuel-free, demonstrating that unsustainable municipal practices really can be overhauled. Arguing that the process of introducing change—whether converting to renewable energy or designing compact development—is critical to success, the authors outline why well-intentioned proposals often fail to win community approval and why an integrated approach—not "single-issue" initiatives—can surmount challenges of conflicting priorities, scarce resources and turf battles.The book first clarifies the concept of sustainability, offering guiding principles—the Natural Step framework—that help identify sustainable action in any area. It then introduces the 60+ eco-municipalities of Sweden that have adopted changes to sustainable practices throughout municipal policies and operations. The third section explains how they did it and outlines how other communities in North America and elsewhere can do the same. Key to success is a democratic, "bottom-up" change process and clear guiding sustainability principles, such as the Natural Step framework.The book will appeal to both general readers wishing to understand better what sustainability means and practitioners interested in introducing or expanding sustainable development in their communities.Sarah James is the principal of a community planning consulting firm. She co-authored the American Planning Association’s Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide and has published articles throughout the U.S. on this subject.Torbjörn Lahti was the planner for Sweden’s first eco-municipality and is directing a five-year sustainable community demonstration project. He was instrumental in forming the Swedish National Association of Eco-municipalities.

From the Author:This book is a product of the inspiration I had after experiencing the events of Alison Sanders' life and death. I was moved by the beauty and depth of my experience at her crossing from this world, an experience that was shared by many. Since that unique experience, I have come to see that many people through their deaths teach those of us who remain behind.I would like to believe that there could be a magical quality to our lives and to the difficulties that we experience. I am convinced that there are deeper qualities that stand side by side our mundane lives. Some of us seek these qualities out and sometimes these qualities come for us- often in a guise that we do not recognize.In Alison's Gift: The Song of a Thousand Hearts Opening, there are events that strike at our very faith in life. No one would choose these events, in the same way that we would not choose to have our lives challenged beyond our ability to cope. Yet, a mother's heart brought forth an opportunity for the light of love to shine in the darkness of loss for a family and community.The people who I have written about in this book are real heroes. They are heroes not because of what they were able to conquer, but because of what they were able to endure. Then, through willpower and perseverance, they created many positive legacies, transforming tragedy into a tool for improving life and helping others.Ultimately, I have sought to portray the universal qualities beyond the specific events described. I believe that the magic that each of us desires is as close to us as the losses and gains of our ordinary lives. For whatever reason, sometimes it the most dramatic experiences that bring this into focus.I hope that you find joy here, feel some magic in these pages and experience the exquisite beauty that inspired me to write this story. My prayer is that Alison's gifts of courage, selflessness and love will help each of us to bring forth the heart of the hero that lives within.

Jenn Savedge's book is packed with tips that teens can easily do to green up the world that they inhabit. Thee are also a few more challenging actions (like starting a school recycling program) for those ready to take their environmentalism up a notch. Jenn has done an impressive job creating a straightforwrd, well-organized reference book full of tips, resources and advice for eco-friendy teens. She not only explains the how's of going green; she explains the why's too, and helps teens to understand the importance of the part they can play in caring for the planet. - Robin Shreeves, Mother Nature NetworkToday’s teenagers are standing at the crossroads of environmental history. Global warming will fundamentally change the world as they know it within their lifetime. But how to keep their healthy environmental awareness from becoming environmental anxiety? The secret is to provide them with education and tools for positive action.Written in easily accessible language, The Green Teen combines simple and quick eco-friendly tips, interviews with “green teens,” ideas for organizing and communicating environmental change, and a host of resources in a handy “grab-and-go” format. Teens will learn: How the choices they make each day impact the environment How to fit eco-friendly decisions into their tight schedules and budgets How to effectively get today’s decision makers involved in environmental stewardship Teens want to learn how to minimize their environmental impact at home, at school, and in their communities and get their concerns recognized by school officials, politicians, media, and even their own parents.The Green Teen is the book that will help them do it, and it is also a must-read for parents, grandparents, teachers, and school administrators who want to help the next generation make environmentally responsible choices.Jenn Savedge is the author of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living, an avid environmentalist, and a recognized authority and frequent speaker on reducing the environmental impact of the family. Her articles have appeared in national print and on-line media, www.thegreenparent.com.

Have Fries-Will Travel! is an adventure story for children of all ages. It features Rock, an eco-rap singer, who buys Tiny, a smelly diesel car, at a used car lot. Rock converts Tiny to run on biodiesel, usually made from soybean oil. Soon, Tiny is powered by biodiesel, his exhaust smelling like yummy French fries. The two set off on a road trip to encourage others to use biodiesel in their cars and to meet Senator Slade Twist in Washington, DC. They visit farmers growing soybeans especially for making biodiesel; they pick up a colorful assortment of biodiesel converts, including the one and only Ms. Liza Merriweather; Rock performs rap songs about the need to stop global warming-with biodiesel cars being a good idea since biodiesel is a very clean fuel; and a parade of vehicles, including a biodiesel-fueled farm tractor and a big rig, follow Tiny into DC where a surprise ending awaits. Children learn that using French fry oil for running vehicles helps the environment. They also learn specific ways to promote biodiesel-from encouraging mom and dad, to rallying their school and community leaders, to getting trucks and buses converted to biodiesel. With an introduction by film star/activist Daryl Hannah and Grassolean Solutions founder Charris Ford-who use and promote biodiesel themselves-the book will find a home among teachers, parents, environmental organizations, and a wide range of others. Linda K. Hempel is an environmental entrepreneur and educator who has spent over two decades teaching the public about caring for, restoring, and preserving the environment. Kathy Dotson is an artist who recently illustrated Salmonid Savers, a children's book on salmon. She works for the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in Nevada City, California, and directs the annual Environmental Film Festival.