Foxythings

World Changing Book

Change is good, especially when we're talking about Worldchanging: a Users Guide for the 21st Century. Of course, I say this without having read the book but based on the WorldChanging website, the hard copy is worth buying. About the book:

"From consumer consciousness to a new vision for industry; non-toxic homes to refugee shelters; microfinance to effective philanthropy; socially responsible investing to starting a green business; citizen media to human rights; ecological economics to climate change, this is the most comprehensive, cutting-edge overview to date of what's possible in the near future -- if we decide to make it so."

The WorldChanging folks are  touring the new book around North America. Check the tour dates here. Maybe I'll see you at the Toronto date.

My single beef with World Changing is that its list of contributors are all from the U.S., Canada, or Europe. I hope that in the future, they'll include more contributions from Africa, Asia-Pacific and South America. To create change, we need to engage as many people from as many places as possible.

Discover Re-cover

Re-cover Journals was the 2005 Mobius Environmental Award recipient for innovation in waste reduction. The Halifax-based company makes reusing and recycling look good by recovering old books and LP covers to create one-of-a-kind journals and photo albums. From the Mobius website:

Using simple technology and leaving nothing to waste, Re-cover Journals manages to divert about 2,000 lbs of old books and 300 lbs of old LPs from the landfill each year. There materials once considered waste are converted into high value craft items and sold to over 60 retail outlets across Canada. Re-cover Journals is an example of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.

(Via Globe and Mail)

Le Cool

Move over Lonely Planet and Time Out, the best, or at least the best-looking travel guide available is Le Cool. Instead of the typical tourist attractions, the Spanish-based publisher offers personal and often quirky recommendations for bars, attractions and unusual experiences — all inside a beautifully designed little red book.  It's an alluring new way to see a city, even if you're a resident. Currently, there are only five cities with Le Cool guidebooks: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam and London, but expect more. To get an idea of what kind of things Le Cool likes to do, take a look at the publisher's weekly digital newsletter for the best each city has to offer. But beware, your travel bug may get hungrier.