ABSTRACT
If you are someone who opened this book because you are curious about what sustainability is and are wondering how to be more ‘sustainable’, you have probably already taken the important first step of recognizing that some of what is going on around you is not sustainable. You might be also aware of the fact that at the same time that you are picking up that fair trade coffee brand from the supermarket shelf, or putting a piece of used paper in the recycling bin, the person next to you might be picking up a generic brand of coffee (because it is cheaper) or throwing his or her piece of paper in the rubbish (because it is closer). Perhaps you have read an article about fair trade products and question how much extra income your purchase really generates for the coffee farmer in Guatemala – would it be enough to feed his or her entire family? Perhaps you have heard that recycling is a form of downcycling, and was wondering how much recycled paper will actually be produced from your contribution? Perhaps you just felt good thinking that you are doing a good deed. After all, sustainability starts with good intentions.
