Whether it’s made of paper or pixels, the latest issue of Alternatives Journal is essential reading. Fresh from his legacy tour, David Suzuki reveals his inner-most thoughts; tar sands decrier Andrew Nikiforuk rips into “ethical oil;” the country’s top green writers tell us what they keep by their bedsides; we […]

Musicians have always drawn inspiration from the world around them, but what happens when that world is in trouble? For an increasing number of environmentally minded artists, their efforts are moving off-stage. Instead of writing green lyrics, they are setting up foundations, leading conservation drives, greening their tours, and changing […]

Just as parents aren’t supposed to favour any one of their children, it’s risky for editors to have a special attachment to a particular issue of their magazine. Nonetheless, this other-worldly issue is very dear to our editor-in-chief. From space travel to crop circles, rainmakers to junk building, swamis to […]

Get out of the way Al Gore. Move over George Monbiot. Take a time out Tim Flannery. The new crop of environmental books on bookstore shelves is enough to keep you entertained all summer long and more. So this issue of Alternatives is dedicated to helping you decide what to […]

Editorial: The Nature of Sex – Ray Tomalty Eros Unbound – Kimberly-Anne Ford and William HipwellErotic experience can deepen our connection to nature and liberate our life energies from the cycle of production and consumption. Falling for Niagara – Karen DubinskyWriters have long found the great falls an erotic source of inspiration.

Editorial: Just Another Reason – Robert Gibson Proof or Consequences – Lydia DottoSkeptics say we should wait for proof before taking action on climate change. If they turn out to be right, we’ll have saved a lot of bother. But if they’re wrong…Inset: Industry Fossils Deny Problem

Editorial: Unity in Diversity – Robert Gibson Demanding Good Wood – Martin von MirbachSome current approaches to forest certification are of dubious merit, and even the best have significant limitations.Inset: Forest Stewardship Council: Principles of Forest ManagementInset: Canadian Council of Forest Ministers: Criteria and Critical ElementsInset: Pacific Certification Council: Principles

Editorial: Citizen Activism and the quest for sustainability – Don Alexander Local Stewardship: Training Ground for an Environmental Vanguard – Sally LernerInset: Top-down meets bottom-up down under by Anna Carr Heeding Rachel Carson’s Call: Reflections of a Home-Making Eco-Crusader – Helen MacDonald Expanding Worldviews: Social Movement Backgrounds Bring a Deeper […]

Editorial: Sharing and protecting the commons – Doug Baker Bucking the Free Market Economy: Using Land Trusts for Conservation and Community-Building – Steward Hilts and Peter MitchellInset: Merging the conservancy and community approaches to land trusts by Matt Wood Reclaiming Deserted Corridors: Rights of Way as Common Property Resources – […]

Editorial: The Problem of Bureaucracy – Douglas Torgerson Between the Rocks and Hard Places: Bureaucrats, the Law and Pollution Control – Kernaghan Webb Understanding Policy-making: A Necessary First Step for Environmentalists – Terrance J. Downey Fiscal Crisis, Environmental Protection and the State: A New Zealand Case Study – Frank J. […]