Tools to Save Our Home Planet
A Changemaker's Guidebook
Published on 5. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-952338-16-8 (ISBN)
Description
"An eco-activism guidebook that bursts with salient strategies for rising up and fighting the powers that threaten the natural world." -- Foreword Magazine
A Global Guidebook for Activism in the Age of Climate Chaos and Social Injustice
In 1994, Patagonia invited representatives from 75 grassroots nonprofit organizations to gather and learn from active experts how to be more effective at what they do. Through this ongoing conference as well as years of funding these organizations, Patagonia has helped thousands of activists make the changes they envision for the world.
In 2016, Patagonia publishedTools for Grassroots Activists, a compilation of presentations from the Tools conferences, accompanied by case studies and inspiring essays from environmental leaders.
The world since then has changed in profound ways, and so a new set of tools is required for the world we now occupy. Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker's Guidebook captures the wisdom and best advice from activists in the field, creating a resource for any organization hoping to hone core skills.The lessons and examples it shares are as current, diverse, and global as the changemakers working around the world.
At a high level, the book's structure echoes an activist's journey. It begins with self-reflection, essays prompting readers to identify their purpose and clarify their cause. The focus shifts to the inner workings of an organization or campaign-how to create a communications strategy; organize people, and fundraise-before taking an outward look at creating momentum through mobilizing and events, using political tools, collaborating with other people and organizations, and taking legal action. The book culminates with a chapter all about movements: How combining purpose, effective organizations, and momentum can create a tidal wave that can change the world.
A go-to resource for driving change, offering anyone who is passionate about environmental and social justice a timely and relevant resource to support their mission-aligned work, this book is intended for both those who are new to taking action and seasoned activists and community organizers who want to learn how others are finding success.The hope is that it will become dog-eared and scribbled in -- a reassuring and resourceful companion to the environmental and environmental justice movements.
A Global Guidebook for Activism in the Age of Climate Chaos and Social Injustice
In 1994, Patagonia invited representatives from 75 grassroots nonprofit organizations to gather and learn from active experts how to be more effective at what they do. Through this ongoing conference as well as years of funding these organizations, Patagonia has helped thousands of activists make the changes they envision for the world.
In 2016, Patagonia publishedTools for Grassroots Activists, a compilation of presentations from the Tools conferences, accompanied by case studies and inspiring essays from environmental leaders.
The world since then has changed in profound ways, and so a new set of tools is required for the world we now occupy. Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker's Guidebook captures the wisdom and best advice from activists in the field, creating a resource for any organization hoping to hone core skills.The lessons and examples it shares are as current, diverse, and global as the changemakers working around the world.
At a high level, the book's structure echoes an activist's journey. It begins with self-reflection, essays prompting readers to identify their purpose and clarify their cause. The focus shifts to the inner workings of an organization or campaign-how to create a communications strategy; organize people, and fundraise-before taking an outward look at creating momentum through mobilizing and events, using political tools, collaborating with other people and organizations, and taking legal action. The book culminates with a chapter all about movements: How combining purpose, effective organizations, and momentum can create a tidal wave that can change the world.
A go-to resource for driving change, offering anyone who is passionate about environmental and social justice a timely and relevant resource to support their mission-aligned work, this book is intended for both those who are new to taking action and seasoned activists and community organizers who want to learn how others are finding success.The hope is that it will become dog-eared and scribbled in -- a reassuring and resourceful companion to the environmental and environmental justice movements.
Reviews / Votes
"Tools to Save Our Home Planet is an eco-activism guidebook that bursts with salient strategies for rising up and fighting the powers that threaten the natural world." -- Foreword Magazine"A wonderful place to start is the book Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker's Guidebook, which comes out in paperback on April 22. It includes contributions from 40+ inspirational folks who help both new advocates and seasoned activists clearly articulate their cause, shore up the internal logistics of their organizing efforts, and ultimately mobilize through policy, partnerships, legal avenues, and more." --Food Tank
"Through curated essays, case studies, and how-to's from dozens of contributors, the environmentally conscious apparel brand (which also admits it's impossible for any company to be truly sustainable) wants to inspire readers to 'double down on your passion'-and tackle our greatest crises." -- Civil Eats
"Less about lofty ideals and more about practical steps: how to organise within your community, influence policy, and spark sustainable movements that last." -- The Ethicalist
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ventura
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
888 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-952338-16-8 (9781952338168)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Nora Gallagher | Lisa Myers
Tools for Grassroots Activists
Best Practices for Success in the Environmental Movement
Book
03/2016
Patagonia Books
€42.27
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Nick Mucha is the Environmental Capacity Building Director at Patagonia. In this role, Nick leads Patagonia's efforts to focus and deliver strategic grantmaking support to Patagonia's grantee organizations while enhancing the effectiveness and durability of nonprofit partners. His work is born out of a deep appreciation for the vitally important role that nonprofit organizations play in tackling our most vexing environmental, social, and economic issues. Nick has 15 years' experience leading conservation and community development programs throughout the world. His interest in this work was born while he and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Honduras from 2004-2006. From that experience Nick founded his own organization supporting coastal communities that were grappling with booming surf tourism in southern Nicaragua. After running that organization for seven years, Nick served as Director of Programs for Save The Waves Coalition with a focus on protecting surf ecosystems worldwide. Nick holds a B.A.in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Nick is usually serving up dad jokes to his three kids or scheming to get in a quick surf, trail run, or weekend adventure off-grid.
Patrick Thomas is a Minnesota-based marketing leader, editor, and consultant. Over 20 years of publishing work he's edited New York Times bestsellers, served as managing director of Milkweed Editions, ran theSan Francisco Chroniclebook review, and developed innovative branching narrative gaming scripts. He's been fortunate to work with numerous award-winning writers, scientists, adventurers, and poets, and believes in the powerful role stories have to play in saving the planet.
Jessica Flinthas worked as an editor at such publications asVanity Fair, Bloomberg Businessweek,andDepartures, and was a content strategist at Apple. She has written about mountain climbing in Africa forOutside, hiking with her father through Chilean Patagonia forDepartures, and trends in sustainable travel forNational Geographic, among other publications. She lives in Minnesota.
Patrick Thomas is a Minnesota-based marketing leader, editor, and consultant. Over 20 years of publishing work he's edited New York Times bestsellers, served as managing director of Milkweed Editions, ran theSan Francisco Chroniclebook review, and developed innovative branching narrative gaming scripts. He's been fortunate to work with numerous award-winning writers, scientists, adventurers, and poets, and believes in the powerful role stories have to play in saving the planet.
Jessica Flinthas worked as an editor at such publications asVanity Fair, Bloomberg Businessweek,andDepartures, and was a content strategist at Apple. She has written about mountain climbing in Africa forOutside, hiking with her father through Chilean Patagonia forDepartures, and trends in sustainable travel forNational Geographic, among other publications. She lives in Minnesota.
Content
Foreword: Why a Tools Conference? by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia
Foreword: Why a Tools Book? by Ryan Gellart, CEO of Patagonia
Introduction by Nick Mucha, Patagonia Environmental Capacity Building Director
Part One: The Activist Life
Chapter One: The Ongoing Evolution of a Changemaker
Essay: Activism as a Lifelong Journey: Passing the Baton by Annie Leonard
Case Study: Undamming the Klamath River by Amy Cordalis
Essay: Intersectional Environmentalism: A New Frame for Today and the Future by Leah Thomas, The Intersectional Environmentalist
Case Study: Sixteen Brave Montana Youth Win Their Climate Rights in Court by Our Children's Trust
Part Two: The Tools
Chapter Two: Clarifying Your Cause
How to: Create Your Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan by Jamie Henn, Fossil Free Media
How to: Develop Strategies and Tactics by Dr. Chad Nelson, Surfrider Foundation
Essay: Listening to History by Jade Begay, NDN Collective
Case Study: Energy Garden by Agamemnon Otero, Energy Gardens (UK)
Essay: Beginnings by Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE
Chapter Three: Your Story
How To: Communicate Effectively, by Kristen Grimm, Spitfire Strategies
Essay: Media Momentum by Anne Rolfes, Louisiana Bucket Brigade
How to: Use the Power of Photography
How To: Reject Dominant Narratives, by Tsering Yangzom Lama, Greenpeace
Case Study: Rewilding Argentina by Martina Sasso, Fundacion Rewilding Argentina
Essay: Creating Change with Your Story by Julian Mocine-McQueen, Million Person Project
Chapter Four: Working Together
How to: Work Effectively with Board, Staff, and Volunteers, by Mallory Erickson
Essay: The Value of Organizational Diversity by Andres Jimenez, Green 2.0
Case Study: Idaho's Boulder and White Cloud Mountains, by Rick Johnson
Essay: Finding Purpose in a Broken World, by Kevin J. Patel, OneUpAction International
Case Study: The Bronx Is Blooming With Volunteers by Jennifer Beaugrand, The Bronx Is Blooming
Chapter Five: Fundraising
How To: Raise Money for Your Organization, by Kimberly O'Donnell and Janet Cobb, Network for Good
How To: Write Grants that Win, by Meredith Noble
How To: Fundraise to Sustain Your Organization, by Megan Seibel, Capacity Refresh
Case Study: Mi Familia Vota by Carlos Duarte, Mi Familia Vota
Chapter Six: Lobbying and Voting
How To: Win with Legislations, by Kai Anderson, Cassidy and Associates
Essay: Lessons from Lobbying by Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation
Case Study: Native Organizers Alliance Red Road to DC by Judith Le Blanc, Native Organizers Alliance
Essay: Engaging Youth in Politics by Momoko Nojo, (Japan)
Case Study: NY Renews by Leslie Cagan, NY Renews
Chapter Seven: Legal Action
How To: Take Legal Action, by Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice
Essay: When to Sue for Change, by Hollie Kerwin, Environmental Justice
Case Study: Communities for a Better Environment, by Jennifer Ganata and Idalmis Vaquero, Communities for a Better Environment
Essay: Defending Your Right to Speak Out, by Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace
Essay: Non Violent Direct Action by Saif Rahman
Chapter Eight: Economics
How To: Use Economics to Win, by Julien Vincent, Market Forces
Essay: Pricing the Priceless, by Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save the Waves Coalition
Case Study: The Kilmanjaro Porters Assistance Program, by Jessica Flint
Chapter Nine: Join with Others
How to: Collaborate, by Dianne J. Russel, Institute for Conservation Leadership
Case Study: Japan's Four Years to Go by Takayoshi Yokoyama, 350.org (Japan)
Essay: Lessons Learned from Bristol Bay, by Shoren Brown, The Conservation Alliance
Chapter Ten: Movements
How to: Build Movements by Dr. Hahrie Han, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute
How To: Create Inclusive Events, by Nyiesha Mallett, UPROSE
Essay: Building the Big Shift by Bill McKibben, Third Act, founder of 350.org
Case Study: Fight for the Bight by Jess Lerch, Wilderness Society Australia
Chapter Eleven: Taking Care and Sticking with It
Essay: Persistence by Jungim Kim, Korea
Essay: Resilience and Renewal by Beth Kanter, BethKantor.org
Essay: "Sometimes You Need a F**king Boat," by Aaron Hill
Foreword: Why a Tools Book? by Ryan Gellart, CEO of Patagonia
Introduction by Nick Mucha, Patagonia Environmental Capacity Building Director
Part One: The Activist Life
Chapter One: The Ongoing Evolution of a Changemaker
Essay: Activism as a Lifelong Journey: Passing the Baton by Annie Leonard
Case Study: Undamming the Klamath River by Amy Cordalis
Essay: Intersectional Environmentalism: A New Frame for Today and the Future by Leah Thomas, The Intersectional Environmentalist
Case Study: Sixteen Brave Montana Youth Win Their Climate Rights in Court by Our Children's Trust
Part Two: The Tools
Chapter Two: Clarifying Your Cause
How to: Create Your Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan by Jamie Henn, Fossil Free Media
How to: Develop Strategies and Tactics by Dr. Chad Nelson, Surfrider Foundation
Essay: Listening to History by Jade Begay, NDN Collective
Case Study: Energy Garden by Agamemnon Otero, Energy Gardens (UK)
Essay: Beginnings by Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE
Chapter Three: Your Story
How To: Communicate Effectively, by Kristen Grimm, Spitfire Strategies
Essay: Media Momentum by Anne Rolfes, Louisiana Bucket Brigade
How to: Use the Power of Photography
How To: Reject Dominant Narratives, by Tsering Yangzom Lama, Greenpeace
Case Study: Rewilding Argentina by Martina Sasso, Fundacion Rewilding Argentina
Essay: Creating Change with Your Story by Julian Mocine-McQueen, Million Person Project
Chapter Four: Working Together
How to: Work Effectively with Board, Staff, and Volunteers, by Mallory Erickson
Essay: The Value of Organizational Diversity by Andres Jimenez, Green 2.0
Case Study: Idaho's Boulder and White Cloud Mountains, by Rick Johnson
Essay: Finding Purpose in a Broken World, by Kevin J. Patel, OneUpAction International
Case Study: The Bronx Is Blooming With Volunteers by Jennifer Beaugrand, The Bronx Is Blooming
Chapter Five: Fundraising
How To: Raise Money for Your Organization, by Kimberly O'Donnell and Janet Cobb, Network for Good
How To: Write Grants that Win, by Meredith Noble
How To: Fundraise to Sustain Your Organization, by Megan Seibel, Capacity Refresh
Case Study: Mi Familia Vota by Carlos Duarte, Mi Familia Vota
Chapter Six: Lobbying and Voting
How To: Win with Legislations, by Kai Anderson, Cassidy and Associates
Essay: Lessons from Lobbying by Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation
Case Study: Native Organizers Alliance Red Road to DC by Judith Le Blanc, Native Organizers Alliance
Essay: Engaging Youth in Politics by Momoko Nojo, (Japan)
Case Study: NY Renews by Leslie Cagan, NY Renews
Chapter Seven: Legal Action
How To: Take Legal Action, by Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice
Essay: When to Sue for Change, by Hollie Kerwin, Environmental Justice
Case Study: Communities for a Better Environment, by Jennifer Ganata and Idalmis Vaquero, Communities for a Better Environment
Essay: Defending Your Right to Speak Out, by Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace
Essay: Non Violent Direct Action by Saif Rahman
Chapter Eight: Economics
How To: Use Economics to Win, by Julien Vincent, Market Forces
Essay: Pricing the Priceless, by Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save the Waves Coalition
Case Study: The Kilmanjaro Porters Assistance Program, by Jessica Flint
Chapter Nine: Join with Others
How to: Collaborate, by Dianne J. Russel, Institute for Conservation Leadership
Case Study: Japan's Four Years to Go by Takayoshi Yokoyama, 350.org (Japan)
Essay: Lessons Learned from Bristol Bay, by Shoren Brown, The Conservation Alliance
Chapter Ten: Movements
How to: Build Movements by Dr. Hahrie Han, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute
How To: Create Inclusive Events, by Nyiesha Mallett, UPROSE
Essay: Building the Big Shift by Bill McKibben, Third Act, founder of 350.org
Case Study: Fight for the Bight by Jess Lerch, Wilderness Society Australia
Chapter Eleven: Taking Care and Sticking with It
Essay: Persistence by Jungim Kim, Korea
Essay: Resilience and Renewal by Beth Kanter, BethKantor.org
Essay: "Sometimes You Need a F**king Boat," by Aaron Hill