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Lester Brown's Plan B 3.0: What's it all about?

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Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to save civilization by Lester R. Brown

Mobilizing to save civilization: That's what Plan B 3.0 is about. Mobilizing to save our planet and ourselves the way, in times of war, we have proven we can mobilize to save our country. In the precursor, Plan B 2.0, Lester Brown explains why he wrote the book, and it's just as important in 3.0.

Plan A, business-as-usual, has the world on an environmental path that is leading toward economic decline and eventual collapse. If our goal is to sustain economic progress, we have no choice other than move onto a new path--Plan B.
                                                                                Earth Policy Institute


 


Image courtesy Carlos Petros, used with permission

So what is Plan B?

Plan B shows how we all--everyone the earth over--can live well and sustainably

No more poverty. No more hunger. No more overheated climate. No more rampant species destruction. We--you and I, alone, and with our civic, state and national leadership--can build a good future for everyone. It's not going to be easy, but with will and determination, we can do it.

Plan B identifies the major issues threatening our survival: Energy, Food, Water, Poverty. Then it lays out a plan for solving the problems, mitigating the crises and moving forward to a more equitable, safe, abundant plan for us all. What makes this plan so viable is Brown's budget. Yes, as a world-class economist, he lays out a budget for accomplishing every phase of the plan. Think of Plan B as an alternate route, a road map, complete with costs and a detailed budget for every mile of the journey.

We can build a better world, a more functional economy, and slow climate change enough to give our grandchildren and theirs a fighting chance to survive, possibly even to thrive. Dr. Brown's Plan B shows us exactly how to get there.

We're not alone

Here's one way we can tell

Around the world, people are buying copies of this book and giving them to their friends and their civic leaders, mailing them to their governors, their congressional representatives and their senators. The message is clear: Get with the plan before it's too late.
Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised)

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised)

by: Lester R. Brown

Amazon Price: $4.50 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Brown never stops. This is his most updated version of Plan B 3.0, taking into account dramatic world changes since the first version.

Take a look at some of the people already working the plan

Among them is media mogul, philanthropist and billionaire Ted Turner, who bought 5,500 copies of the book and gave them to leaders and policy makers in every country of the world. W. L. Hammaker of California bought 110 copies. A Russian woman, Natalia Fedorova bought 278. The list is huge and includes people around the globe. They are all part of the Plan B team, and you are invited to join.

Take it a piece at a time

This lens introduces Plan B and links to more in-depth discussions. Take it a piece at a time. I hope it will encourage you to get the book, if you don't have it already, and read it.

Talk it up!

If you've read Plan B, this lens will give you talking points to share with your friends, civic leaders and congressional representatives. Together, we will build a better future for ourselves, our grandkids--and theirs.

What you'll get from Plan B 3.0

REALLY BIG PICTURE

  • Where we are now -- Plan A
  • Vision of a sustainable economy -- Plan B
  • Road map from Plan A to Plan B

Image credit: NASA's Visible Earth series

1. Where we are now

PLAN A NOT WORKING

You'll understand why--if we care about leaving a world full of promise and opportunity to our children and grandchildren--a world of prosperity, fresh air and clean water--our present world economy isn't working and won't get us there.

2. Vision of a sustainable econcomy

PLAN B - Workable, doable and has a viable budget

You'll get a clear vision of the new economy--what our world would look like if we all lived sustainably. Brown shows us how we can build an economy of almost unimaginable comfort worldwide for generations to come.

3. Roadmap from A to B

and a glorious future for all

You'll finish with a road map from Plan A--not working--to a sustainable Plan B, complete with travel budget, so we all get there safely, in one piece, and with a glorious future ahead of us.

Okay, what if we can solve world poverty and global warming simultaneously?

How long will it take?

First, the idea of solving world hunger, poverty and disease, let alone putting the breaks on global warming is just a little bit daunting. But that's not all. Brown says, if we want to save our civilization and leave a comfortable planet for our children and grandchildren, we have to do it by 2020. That's barely eleven eight years. And that is overwhelming. Can we do it? Brown makes a good case for it.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
                                                                            Margaret Mead

But wait--how can just one person--you or me--make any real or lasting difference

A while back I heard David Wann speak. He is the author of Simple Prosperity: Finding real wealth in a sustainable lifestyle and coauthor of Affluenza. He's done a lot of research on this stuff, too, and he said we're not alone any more. Sixty million people, that's 60,000,000 people, in the United States today, are all on the same page about this: all making conscious decisions about the ways we spend our money, what we eat, how much energy we use, and how our every day choices affect the future we're all building together.

Note: With more than 312 million people in the United States in October 2011, 60 million represents about 19 percent. If Wann is correct, then we're very close to hitting that statistical 80/20 rule tipping point. That's what I call fabulously good news.

Simple prosperity

Having our cake and eating it too

Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle

Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle

by: David Wann

Amazon Price: $4.98 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $14.95

Simplify your life, keep more money for the things that really matter, and live a more pleasurable, healthier life. David Wann's book showcases his experiences on living the good life while taking care of his community and the planet.

Release Date: 12/26/2007

Sixty million people making a difference

One lightbulb, one water bottle, one organic cotton tee at a time

We're voting with our pocketbooks at the checkout line, switching from high-energy to low-energy light bulbs, picking organic milk, apples and oranges, grass-fed beef and pork, free-range chickens and their eggs. More and more of us ask our grocers and restaurateurs for locally-grown, organic food--and we're getting it. We're carrying it home in ever-more stylish and eco-trendy reusable bags slung over our shoulders and stuffed into the back of our Priuses and Honda hybrids. (Catch up American automakers!)

We're hunting down and buying organic cotton clothing, bedding and bath linens. We're carrying reusable water bottles and coffee cups. We're recycling our trash, riding bicycles, public transportation, and walking more--and getting healthier in the process.

Sixty million people are dropping energy-saving, planet-saving, money-saving choices into the world bucket every single day. That's in the United States alone. The Europeans are way ahead of us on developing sustainable economies.

Are you one of the sixty million?

Swell the ranks - Make a difference

Every time we buy something, we vote with our hard-earned dollars. Next time you need a light bulb, vote for cleaner air, slow global warming and reduce your energy bill with these new, easy-to-use compact flourescent bulbs. We're all part of the problem. We can become part of the solution one light bulb at a time.
Could not locate item B000I1AC04. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Making a difference is easy as your morning cup o' jo

Collectively, we send 25 billion cups to the landfill every year, says Ideal Bite. "Small changes make a big difference, especially for daily drinkers. Individually, one cup of coffee purchased every day in a disposable container contributes about 22.75 pounds of waste per year."
Contigo West Loop Travel Mug 16 Oz, Sliver

Contigo West Loop Travel Mug 16 Oz, Sliver

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

This slim, sleek travel mug comes in silver, cobalt blue, and vibrant red. It's as practical as it is beautiful. Insulated stainless steel keeps your coffee hot. The patented leak-proof, easy-sip opening keeps the coffee in the mug until you're ready to drink it. Do yourself--and the planet--a favor. Buy this cup.

Sixty million of us making a difference is impressive, but what about China and India

Billions moving up the economic ladder and wanting everything we have

In population, the US is the third largest country in the world. China's population is more than four times ours. India's nearly four times. Thanks in part to the US outsourcing the manufacture of many of the goods we consume every day, people in China and India are moving up the economic ladder--and they're buying stuff.

4X as many cars, cell phones, CDs, refrigerators

4X as much fuel as we consume in the US every day

Imagine two rapidly growing countries, each with four times as many people driving four times as many cars, buying four times as many cell phones, computers, groceries, CDs in their plastic covers, paper towels, books, printers, copiers, snowmobiles, refrigerators, washers and dryers, and yes chewing gum and coffee in disposable cups. Wow.

Running on empty

Thing is, to support that many people at the US level of comfort and fun today, China alone would need big chunks of the resources pie. In fact, Brown says, China will need:

  • Two-thirds of the world's grain harvest
  • Twice the world's current paper production
  • 99 million barrels of oil per day
Worldwide, right now, we pump 84 million barrels of oil per day. Many think we have reached or surpassed peak production--that going forward, oil production can only decline. Do the math. But don't take my word for it. On December 9, the New York Times reported that some oil-rich countries are already cutting exports to fuel their growing economies. This is what we call unsustainable growth.

That's where the vision comes in

WORLDWIDE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC PROGRESS IS IN OUR SIGHTS

And well within the realm of possibility. Get the first installment of the Plan B 3.0 road map here, with tips for taking your own first steps toward sustainability, and more if you're already well on your path
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Want the full story?

GET THE BOOK!

But it direct from Earth Policy Institute so they earn all the profit! If you can't buy it, check it from your local library. If they don't have it, ask them to secure it on an interlibrary loan. If you can't wait, read it online for free, and if you're so inclined, make a donation to the Earth Policy Institute to help defray the costs of hosting the book.
 
Plan B 3.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble by Lester R. Brown

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Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised) by Lester R. Brown

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised) by Lester R. Brown

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Download the pdf version of Plan B 3.0 for free - Brown's message is that important
 
 
 

Well, what do you think?

HOW ARE YOU BECOMING A PART OF THE SOLUTION?

The great thing about Brown's book is that he doesn't just define the problems. He poses workable solutions--solutions with timetables and budgets. The exciting thing about his book is that people who read it start buying and giving it to everyone they know. It's that easy to read. The ideas are that compelling. The timeliness that urgent. Please, if you post a comment, make it count. Your opinion is important.

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  • Reply
    Tipi Dec 31, 2011 @ 2:54 pm | delete
    Problems stated without solutions just are not helpful, Brown is presenting sound answers for a sustainable future with his Plan B and he makes sense!
  • Reply
    Greekgeek Sep 11, 2011 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    I hadn't heard of this, but the more of us on the same wavelength, the better. Bless you for getting the word out.
  • Reply
    sallemange Sep 5, 2011 @ 2:27 am | delete
    I must read this too. I hadn't heard of the book until now.
  • Reply
    julie west Nov 7, 2009 @ 9:09 pm | delete
    I have to read his Plan B 3.0 for a college class to graduate. SO, far I think a majority of it is a big waste of tax payer money. Be self conscious of choices you make everyday. bring lunch to work, don't run unnecessary errands and buy a brita water filter instead of plastic bottles of water. I wish I could bottle up all the jet fuel he is wasting traveling to promote his books.
  • Reply
    CherylK Feb 22, 2009 @ 10:54 am | delete
    You are so right...every little thing helps. I always carry my reusable coffee cup and water bottle plus I have a small zippered case with flatware & a corkscrew (natch!) which I bought at a flea market! Carrying a bowl (or small plate) l is a great idea which I will now employ! Thanks!
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Get Plan B 3.0

Buy the book.
Read.
Take action.
We have eleven years to save ourselves.
 

Get Plan B 3.0

Buy the book.
Read.
Take action.
According to Brown, we have nine years left to save ourselves.
 

About the author

Who is Lester R. Brown, and what is he doing now?

Several people have called him a genius. One thing is certain, he researches his subjects deeply. His assertions and proposals are based on sound, verifiable data. I trust him. You can too.
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Who am I and what am I up to next?

It's always something, as Gilda used to say

What's hot in eco clothing and products? Ever thought about living in a sustainable community? What can you and I do to end poverty forever? I'm always working on new lenses and adding to old ones. These are some of my latest.
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WIRED - The interview with Lester Brown

For a capsule image of Plan B, check out Wired's interview with Dr. Brown.

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