Each year, Green Festivals across the nation draw over 100,000 people to their “party with a purpose.” The Green Festival Reader: Fresh Ideas from Agents of Change presents the addresses of the foremost thinkers and activists at these popular events. From a green New Deal to healthy homes and community empowerment, The Green Festival Reader covers the most urgent and inspiring topics in today’s environmental movement.

A pervasive theme in these talks is the emergent green economy. In addition to exposing the environmental degradation and social injustice that accompany traditional business models, the speakers envision a sustainable economy that uses resources wisely and lifts people out of poverty. They invite readers to become “ecopreneurs,” to create green worker cooperatives, to green their homes, and to shop and invest with the planet’s health in mind. Going green is not an elitist activity, they maintain. Rather, it’s the only way we can keep doing business—not just business as usual.

Contributors:
Ben Cohen * Omar Freilla * Ross Gelbspan * David Johnston * Van Jones * Marie Kerpan * David Korten * Dennis Kucinich * Frances Moore Lappé * Hunter Lovins * Bill McKibben * Ralph Nader * Jerome Ringo * Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Kevin Danaher is cofounder of Global Exchange and executive coproducer of the Green Festivals. His many previous books include Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grassroots.

Alisa Gravitz is executive director of Co-op America, which has helped hundreds of socially responsible businesses thrive. The executive coproducer of the Green Festivals, she is also a nationally recognized leader in the social investment industry.

Sue Kwon Speaks to Kevin Danaher co-founder of Global Exchange on KPIX’s Bay Sunday program.