Our Journey to Sustainability - by Jon R Biemer (Hardcover)

About the Book

What moves us to take action on behalf of the environment? That is the question at the heart of Jon Biemer's new book, which introduces us to the wisdom of counselors, passion of youth, breakthroughs of entrepreneurs, and yeoman competence of dedicated employees saving our planet on a daily basis.

Book Synopsis

Explores the motivations, successes, and visions of individuals working tirelessly to heal our planet through 150 personal stories.
Everyday, countless individuals are hard at work, seeking solutions to environmental problems and creating new ways to live sustainably. It takes the combined effort of many to secure a healthy future, from electric vehicle owners to animal lovers, journalists to artists, scientists to indigenous communities and cities. But what is it that motivates people to act on behalf of the planet?
That is the question at the heart of Our Journey to Sustainability: How Everyday Heroes Make a Difference. Compiling 150 stories from personal interviews, research, and his own experiences, Jon R. Biemer explores the varied motivations that inspire environmental action and presents over twenty-five sustainable wisdom tips that readers can implement in their own lives, suggesting real-world ways to make a difference. Readers will visit cities and towns across the country, indigenous reservations, and wildlife preserves. They will be introduced to the heroes in the trenches who are creating a healthier environment, on scales both small and large, while learning how actions can add up to great results.
Biemer profiles a mix of modest and impressive efforts by youth advocates, professionals in the prime of their career, and post-retirees. Some folks are just doing a day's work, while some are fighting for environmental justice. Our Journey to Sustainability shows what it really takes to recycle, repair cell phones, recover a brownfield, and halt a freeway, and highlights the real-life dreams of entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing geothermal energy, the clothing industry, the way boats are built, and much more. Eco-heroes are everywhere, and their initiatives are the substance of realistic hope for our planet.

Review Quotes

"This is a great book. The range of people and projects included ensures that there is something that will grab you. I found inspirational favorites where I least expected and learned a lot, even though I am quite familiar with the subject matter. The goal of this book--to move people to action--is a critical one. I hope that you are moved; it's time for everyone to get busy." --Laurie Huber, founder, Energy Shift Corporation; and zero-net energy home builder

"Our Journey to Sustainability helps us understand that the environmental movement is composed of individuals living diverse, rewarding lives. I felt a deep connection to each person Biemer interviewed. Thank you, Jon, for shining a light on the people behind the movement and what motivates them to prioritize the health and welfare of Mother Earth." --Linda Neale, author, "The Power of Ceremony"; and cofounder, Earth and Spirit Council

"Our Journey to Sustainability is the burst of hope that everyone needs in their lives. The book presents stories of everyday people across all sectors demonstrating that a more sustainable world is possible. If you find yourself feeling vulnerable and stressed over climate change, consider Biemer's antidote: do something! Climate action is key." --Angelou Ezeilo, founder, Greening Youth Foundation; and author, "Engage, Connect, Protect

"Jon R. Biemer's interviews illuminate a universal truth: Ordinary people who take extraordinary action are the ones who change the world." --Carlos Araque, founder and CEO, Quaise Energy, Inc

"Documenting stories of everyday leaders as they engage in education, advocacy, and action, Biemer highlights a road towards sustainability." --Cassandra Carmichael, executive director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment

"It is as if I suddenly have a new bunch of green-minded friends joining my own volunteer committee sharing their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas for making a difference in my own community! This book is a great resource for environmentalists everywhere, and a testament to past heroes in the ongoing fight to care for planet Earth." --Pat Wartinger, chair, Town of Henrietta (New York) Sustainability Committee

"Written in a friendly, accessible style, Jon Biemer's latest book introduces us to people who are making sustainable change in their personal lives and their communities. Biemer lets them explain in their own words what motivated these changes and the steps they took. Reading this book should convince anyone that their actions, no matter how small, can be part of the journey to a more sustainable world for all of us." --Jane Ellen Nickell, chaplain emerita, Allegheny College

About the Author

Jon R. Biemer has more than forty years of experience creating sustainability. His practices and causes include free cycling, repair cafes, village building convergences, environmental education, solar and wind energy, and energy efficiency in homes, municipalities, and industry. Biemer is a mechanical engineer and holds a certificate in process-oriented psychology. He has managed utility energy conservation programs and now provides organizational development consulting to nonprofits. He is the author of Our Environmental Handprints: Recover the Land, Reverse Global Warming, Reclaim the Future (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) and a member of the Society for Environmental Journalists.