Synopses & Reviews
Drawn largely from luminous presentations given at the annual Bioneers Conference, this pathfinding book--the first in a new Bioneers Series published by Sierra Club Books--focuses on pragmatic solutions emerging at the fertile edges between the overlapping worlds of environmental restoration and holistic healing. In this kaleidoscopic collection, many of the world's leading health visionaries show us how human health is inescapably dependent on the health of our environment.
The rich array of voices in this book reflects the collective intelligence of the emerging movement known as Ecological Medicine. Its advocates look to the strategic public health measures that first do no harm to the environment and, in turn, successfully improve human health. They call for prevention and precaution as the first line of action. They seek to heal the tragic split that conventional medicine made from nature and to conjure nature's own mysterious capacity for self-repair. They celebrate the virtues of ancient natural-medicine practices but also embrace an integrative medicine that uses the best of all approaches to healing--with special emphasis on the centrality of the human spirit in the healing process. Their inspiring work, described so compellingly in this book, is of critical relevance to everyone concerned about health and the environment.
ABOUT THE BIONEERS BOOKS:
Since 1990, the annual Bioneers Conference has gathered scientific and social innovators who have demonstrated model practices and practical models for restoring the Earth. The Bioneers come from many diverse cultures and perspectives, and from all walks of life. They are scientists and artists, gardeners and economists, activists and public servants, architects and ecologists, farmers and journalists, priests and shamans, policy makers and everyday people committed to preserving and supporting the future of life on Earth. Uniting nature, culture, and spirit, their visionary and practical solutions also embody a change of heart, a spiritual connection with the fullness of all life, grounded in social justice.
Synopsis
In this pathfinding book, many of the worlds leading health visionaries show how human health is inescapably dependent on the health of our environment. Drawn largely from presentations given at the annual Bioneers Conference, it focuses on pragmatic solutions growing at the fertile interface between environmental restoration and holistic healing. The Bioneers (biological pioneers”) are a network of scientists, writers, economists, artists, and others with practical and visionary solutions for our most pressing environmental and social challenges.
Advocates of the emerging movement known as Ecological Medicine look to the strategic public health measures that first do no harm to the environment and, in turn, improve human health. They call for prevention and precaution as the first line of action. They seek to heal the tragic split that conventional medicine made from nature, and to conjure natures own mysterious capacity for self-repair. They celebrate the virtues of ancient natural medicine but also embrace an integrative approach that blends the best of all healing practicesemphasizing the centrality of the human spirit in the healing process. Their inspiring work, described so compellingly in this book, is of critical relevance to everyone concerned about health and the environment.
Table of Contents
Contributors to this volume:, Dr. Jeanne Achterberg, Dr. Martha Arguello, Kenny Ausubel, Charlotte Brody, Henry Clark, Katsi Cook, Dr. Anthony Cortese, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, Barbara Dossey, Dr. Larry Dossey, Dr. Samuel Epstein, Leslie Gray, Kathleen Harrison, Christopher Hobbs, Michael Lerner, Peter Montague, Nancy Myers, Melissa Nelson, Mary O'Brien, Peggy O'Mara, Sharyle Patton, Carolyn Raffensperger, Diana Ruiz, Dr. Ted Schettler, Terri Swearingen, Dr. Andrew Weil, Diane Wilson
Contents
Foreword Andrew Weil
Acknowledgments Kenny Ausubel
Introduction Kenny Ausubel
Part I.Ecological Medicine:One Notion,Indivisible
The Coming Age of Ecological Medicine Kenny Ausubel
Personal Healing and Planetary Healing Michael Lerner
Thinking Like a Girl Is Good Medicine Charlotte Brody
Redesigning Environmental Health Anthony Cortese
Generations at Risk:Children 's Health and the Environment Ted Schettler
Part II.The "Duh " Principle::Precaution Means
Not Having to Say You 're Sorry
The Precautionary Principle:Golden Rule for the New Millennium Carolyn Ra ?ensperger
Quantifying the Unknowable: The Risks of Risk Assessment Peter Montague
Closing the Loophole of Uncertainty Nancy Myers
Putting Precaution on the Street Martha Arguello
But What Is the Alternative?Mary O 'Brien
Part III.Public Health,Cancer,and Prevention
Reconciling Human Rights,Public Health, and the Web of Life Ted Schettler
Florence Nightingale:Mystic,Visionary,Healer Barbara Dossey
Reversing the Cancer Epidemic Samuel Epstein
Hoxsey:When Healing Becomes a Crime Kenny Ausubel