Buy the Change You Want to See : Use Your Purchasing Power to Make the World a Better Place - by Jane Mosbacher Morris (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Eager to change the world? Learn how you can have a greater social impact through your everyday purchases.

The money we routinely spend on food, clothes, gifts, and even indulgences is an untapped superpower. What would happen if we slowed down to make more thoughtful decisions about what we buy? For mom and pop stores across the country, and artisan and agricultural communities around the world, every purchase matters.

Consumers--whether individuals, small businesses, or corporations--are paying more attention than ever to how their goods are made; and retailers--large and small--are responding by investing in ethical and eco-friendly production. Yet figuring out which brands to support can feel overwhelming. Jane Mosbacher Morris has devoted her career to creating economic opportunities for vulnerable communities around the world, and in this valuable book, she shares her passion and insights on how we, as consumers, can create positive change too.

Covering topics that range from why not all factories are evil, to how our morning coffee can be the easiest way for us to use our purchasing power for good, Buy the Change You Want to See makes us better informed consumers. Morris tells inspiring stories about how victims of human trafficking and natural disasters have been empowered by economic opportunity, and she offers practical ideas about how we can support these communities through our purchases--whether it comes to jewelry made from recycled materials in Haiti, sustainably grown and ethically sourced coffee and chocolate from farmers in some of the poorest regions of the world, or mass-produced jeans and shoes made in factories where workers are guaranteed decent working conditions and a fair wage.

Review Quotes

"The time has come to put consumer power to good use. Whether we use our purchasing power to support small businesses and good causes, or to send a message to producers and companies, our potential for impact is massive. Buy the Change You Want to See is a powerful guide to shaping the world we want to see."
--Gayle Smith, President and CEO of the ONE Campaign and former Administrator of the US Agency for International Development

A must-read for anyone who believes in the power of the private sector to drive positive change in our world. This book makes it clear that doing well while doing good is not only easier than ever for businesses, but critical to market competitiveness.
--Cindy McCain, Chair of the McCain Institute for International Leadership

An inspiring voice for change. For any woman who doesn't feel like she has the power to change the world, Jane shows us she can.
--Ambassador Melanne Verveer, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues

In Jane's insightful and provocative book, she shares fresh perspective on ethical sourcing--showing us how we can tap into the global artisan industry to disrupt traditional manufacturing. She showcases little known ways that the private sector has become an accelerator for change in developing economies. Read this book to be inspired and reminded of our individual and collective power to create change!
--Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA

Conscious consumerism is a core component of the growing movement toward conscious capitalism. Jane Mosbacher Morris is a delightful and engaging storyteller, but she also shows her readers just how easy it is to make a difference with their everyday purchasing decisions. Her book is for anyone who wants to live their values, dollar by dollar.
--Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO of New America and author of Unfinished Business

"This book presents a truly big idea--using your buying power for good. It is also a window into a great entrepreneur's journey, as Jane Mosbacher Morris turns that insight into truly big change across sectors."
--Bill Drayton, CEO of Ashoka

"Buy the Change You Want to See opened my eyes to the power we have to contribute to causes we feel strongly about when we open up our wallets to purchase the necessities and extra goodies in our lives. An excellent blueprint for how to start the conversation to effect change."
--Halle Stanford, President of Television, The Jim Henson Company

"A marvelous and stimulating must-read. Jane connects rising suppliers in the developing world to global demand for ethically-sourced products. Time to not only look at 'overlooked' populations, but to embrace their astounding potential."
--Christopher M. Schroeder, author of Startup Rising

About The Author

Jane Mosbacher Morris is the Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET, a company that connects businesses and consumers to ethically made products from around the world. She previously served as the Director of Humanitarian Action for the McCain Institute for International Leadership and currently serves on the Institute's Human Trafficking Advisory Council. Prior to joining the Institute, she worked in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and in the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. Morris is a member of VF Corporation's Advisory Council on Responsible Sourcing. She is a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a MBA from Columbia Business School. She is proud to be married to fellow entrepreneur, Nate Morris of Kentucky.

Wendy Paris is an author and journalist who has written on arts and culture, travel, business, and psychology for The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Psychology Today, among others. She has an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from Columbia University.