Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy Hot

Despite the fact that information about the ecological and economic challenges our planet is facing is widely available, there seems to be relatively little action taking place to change things. The authors of this book suggest that this lack of action stems from the fact that most of us have embraced one of two stories about the situation: the “Business As Usual” story that says the threats are exaggerated and we should continue as we have been, or the “The Great Unraveling” story that says that it is too late for action to have any positive effect. Some of us even waffle between the two stories on a regular basis as we become overwhelmed with information, disinformation, and the magnitude of the problem.

Macy and Johnstone propose a third story that they call “The Great Turning.” This story says that we still have time to find new ways of living on this planet that will prevent the predicted disasters. These new ways of living involve many people making small changes by working together toward the global shifts that need to occur. This story is one of active hope because it gives people the hope to work actively toward making these necessary changes, rather than relying on wishful thinking.

The authors use their backgrounds in psychology, systems theory, activism, and eco-philosophy to inform the ways that readers can shift their stories and perceptions into active hope, and how to work with others to create coordinated changes that can build into the Great Turning needed for our future. While ecological and economic issues are mentioned in order to put this work into context, this is not primarily a book about the challenges we are facing. It is instead a roadmap and an inspiration to work individually and in community to deal with these issues in a productive manner while there is still time.

This book is important reading for anyone who recognizes the magnitude of the challenges we face for co-creating a life sustaining future, and hasn’t known where or how to start making a difference.