Practical Steps to Living More Sustainably

Next Monday evening (Oct 5th) at 7, Emily Doskow will be here to read from her new book (co-written with Janelle Orsi), The Sharing Solution: How to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, & Build Community, published by Nolo. We hope you will be able to join us for this sure-to-be informative and entertaining evening. I thought I'd share with you some excerpts from the book:

"For a variety of reasons, people are looking for ways of living that are more sustainable -- not only environmentally sustainable, but also economically and personally sustainable. One of the most sustainable choices we can make is sharing.

"Sharing contributes to the greater good in lots of ways. First, it's nice. It can help people feel connected to their neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers. It builds community and meets our needs in creative ways. It sets a good example for our children.

"Second, it's economical. Almost every type of sharing we discuss in this book will save you some money -- sometimes more, sometimes less, but always some.

"Third, it's green. Most kinds of sharing result in fewer resources being used, and that's good for the environment. Sharing also makes it possible to afford more environmentally friendly choices, such as solar panels, grey water systems, and community supported agriculture."
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"The ultimate beauty of sharing is that it's a solution we create for ourselves. It's not a government program, nor is it the "latest and greatest" product marketed to us on billboards. It's a solution based on our own needs and lifestyles, in our own communities. It's a way for each of us to shape our own lives in positive ways and simultaneously benefit the world as a whole."

Part I of The Sharing Solution discusses the basics of sharing: the kinds of things to share, finding sharing partners, questions to ask when considering sharing arrangements and how to communicate effectively and create written documents. Part II presents solutions to specific sharing situations, such as sharing housing, sharing food, sharing child or pet care, sharing transportation, and sharing at work. In the back of the book you'll find a whole host of additional resources to explore about sharing, as well as worksheets, checklists, and sample agreement forms.

Emily Doskow is an attorney in private practice in Berkeley and the author or coauthor of many Nolo titles, including Neighbor Law, Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce, and Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships Civil Unions. Her co-author, Janelle Orsi, is an attorney in Berkeley, California. Her law and mediation practice is focused on helping individuals and organizations share resources and create more sustainable communities.

Bill McKibben, the author of Deep Economy and The End of Nature, says of The Sharing Solution, "It's possible someone has published a more timely book, but I've never seen it. For a planet dealing with economic crisis and ecological limit, sharing is not only the right and moral solution, it's the necessary (and charming) one as well." Ernest Callenbach, author of Ecotopia and Ecotopia Emerging, says "This canny, thorough book offers detailed advice on how to make clear sharing agreements and minimize potential confusion and conflict." And Annie Leonard, author and host of The Story of Stuff and a Time Magazine 2008 Hero of the Environment says the book is "a must-read for those who want to chart a new path: a more sustainable, more compassionate, and more fun one."

Given the economic and environmental concerns facing us now, we think this book offers a timely and important message that can help us all take practical steps to make our lives and our world better. We hope you can join us!