Books and Publications

We have a wide range of publications written by our staff and associates that engage with social, environmental, economic and political issues.

Bristol’s Green Roots – Emmelie Brownlee

Tracing the beginnings of organisations like Sustrans, Centre for Sustainable Energy and Bristol Friends of the Earth as well as the work of some of the extraordinarily dedicated sustainable businesses, community groups, initiatives and individuals, this publication celebrates the achievements of those who strive to make Bristol a better place to live.

You can find the book via Green Books.

Community, Empowerment and Sustainable Development ed. John Blewitt

The first in The Converging World Series from the Schumacher Institute, this book explores a compelling range of community-based activities from different cultures and nations which help nurture intercultural understanding and practices of sustainable development. The specially commissioned chapters from practitioners and academics offer a set of interconnected case studies, personal stories, philosophical discussions and critical reflections on direct experiences, focussing on co-operative action, creative media innovation and community empowerment connecting individuals, groups, organisations from across our converging world.

You can find the book on Amazon.

Searching for Resilience in Sustainable Development: Learning Journeys in Conservation – John Blewitt and Daniella Tilbury

Resilience is a term that is gaining currency in conservation and sustainable development, though its meaning and value in this context is yet to be defined. Searching for Resilience in Sustainable Development examines ways in which resilience may be created within the web of ecological, socio-economic and cultural systems that make up the world in. The authors embark upon a learning journey exploring both robust and fragile systems and asking questions of groups and individuals actively involved in building or maintaining resilience.

Through a series of wide ranging interviews the authors give voice to the many different approaches to thinking of and building resilience that may otherwise stay rooted in and confined by specific disciplinary, professional or spatial contexts. The book documents emerging trends, shifting tactics and future pathways for the conservation and sustainable development movement post Rio+20, arriving at a set of diverse but connected conclusions and questions in relation to the resilience of people and planet.

You can find the book on Amazon.

Media, Ecology and Conservation: Using the media to protect the world’s wildlife and ecosystems – John Blewitt

The second book in The Converging World series, Media, Ecology and Conservation focuses on global connectivity and the role of new digital and traditional media in bringing people together to protect the world’s endangered wildlife and conserve fragile and threatened habitats.

You can find the book on Amazon.

A New Green Order?: The World Bank and the Politics of the Global Environment Facility – Zoe Young

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a publicly funded, multi-billion dollar experiment in global resource management. It was set up in 1991 under the auspices of the World Bank to fund international conventions on climate change and biodiversity. Investigating the workings of this little known aid fund, Zoe Young takes a critical look at the conflicts involved, focusing on how the GEF’s agenda relates to questions of globalisation, knowledge and accountability in the United States and the World Bank.

You can find the book on Amazon.