Book description
Despite many successes in the field of conservation, species extinction
rates continue to climb and wild areas and habitats continue to be lost.
Many look to more (or better) biology and ecology to solve the problem
but the obstacles are not just scientific but political. To stop the 6th
great extinction the conservation movement must become much stronger,
more tenacious, and more effective. By learning from its own history and
especially from the movements that abolished slavery, brought down
apartheid, changed gender relations, and expanded democratic rights,
conservationists can become more successful.
This book brings together in one place and in a highly usable format
the lessons of those movements culled from practitioners and academic analysts.
"Protecting Earth's rich web of life, and our only known living
companions in the universe, depends upon people caring enough to act.
This book shows conservationists how to evoke the caring and action
necessary to change policy and ultimately society." Paul R
Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies, Stanford University and
author of The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment
“This timely book by David Johns explains why facts alone don't
motivate and mobilize people to care for the natural world. Even
better, Johns spells out what will work, based on a frank and informed
assessment of human nature applied to social and political movements.
If you would rather see change than be right, this readable and
authoritative guide should be your bible.” Michael Soulé, Professor
Emeritus, Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
“For me, this is a truly fascinating book. I spend much of my time
writing--trying to write the stories we need to tell--and the rest of
it helping run national and global mobilizations on climate change
(Step It Up and now 350. org). I think
David Johns has done a tremendous job of linking together insights
about useful rhetoric and very practical notions about organizing. If
you're trying to save a river, a forest, or a planet you need to read
this book.” Bill McKibben, Scholar-in-Residence, Middlebury College
An activist and teacher, David Johns has
co-founded and directed NGOs doing science-based large-scale
conservation. He teaches politics and law at Portland State
University. David has also been active in a variety campaigns, worked
for elected officials, advised government, and published widely on
conservation politics.
