Garden Earth
– from hunter and gatherers to global capitalism and thereafter
There is no land left to settle, the last frontier we have left to civilize is ourselves. (Jewel)
Garden Earth from Hunter and Gatherer to Global Capitalism and Thereafter
stands out from the current flow of books on climate change, the
financial crisis, globalization, the food and agriculture crisis or
peak-oil. It avoids the trap of using just one lens to make sense of the
world. Instead, it looks at the present day problems from a historical,
social, economic and ecological perspective.
Humankind has colonized most parts of the
globe and its ecological footprint is already far too big. The era of
colonization, driven by profit-seeking and fossil fuel, is over. The
capitalist economy and its associated values were both results and
drivers of this restless conquest. Now it shows diminishing returns and
we need new ideas and new means to continue human progress. Garden Earth provides that.
In Sweden, Garden Earth (Trädgården Jorden) was published by Gidlunds April 2010. The book has got good reviews
and Gunnar has been invited to present his book at universities and
various public fora. It has also got distribution support for “excellent
and high-quality literature” from the Swedish Council of Culture, which
means that the book was freely distributed to 300 public libraries. The
book is also published in Japan by Dayosha.
The English version is now available. It
is an extensive re-work of the Swedish version. The analysis is sharper,
the narrative clearer. Examples have been adapted to an international
audience. The last part, pointing to the future, has been expanded.
…Gunnar Rundgren wants us to think…. Easy to digest? Hardly, but if
we are going to save the planet it is not the wide path that will be
trodden. Trädgården Jorden is explicitly political. Gunnar Rundgren
doesn’t believe that Green Capitalism can save the earth. What does he
believe in? A narrow and winding path built on cooperation, respect and
humility towards the incredible system of life of the planet. REKO
“While this book represents serious and well researched scholarship, abundant with factual data from authoritative sources, it is written in a very accessible style with a sense of personal warmth and lighthearted humor that keeps one’s interest without excessive jargon. […] This work gives us an excellent tool for understanding agriculture and food systems through a social ecology compatible lens, and a valuable contribution to the discussion of how to bring about a society that is rational, prosperous, equitable and ecologically based.”
Writes Grace Gershuny in a review of Garden Earth at the web site of the Institute for Social Ecology
You can read the whole review here.
writes Kristian Stålne in a recent review of Garden Earth.
The book is used as literature in a university course on Sustainable Transition
Reviews
Extracts from reviews of Garden Earth
‘This book presents a powerful narrative overview
of the human condition in the 21st century. In the decades ahead, our
species must navigate the end of fossil fuels and economic growth as
we’ve known it — a tall order by any estimation. The risks are
great, but so are the potential rewards if Rundgren’s advice is heeded
and humanity embraces a post-carbon, post-industrial culture.’ Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute, Santa Rosa USA Author, The End of Growth
‘This is a remarkable book that should be
read by many. It gives a broad knowledge of the historical conditions
that shaped our world. It also gives a snapshot of how our world looks
today, with all its cruel injustices. All these experiences are tied
together in a whole.’ Sverker Sörlin, Uppsala Nya Tidning
A picture is drawn of the historical development of
society and the economic systems, with a focus on our impact on nature
resources and the aim of sustainable development. After describing, on a
general level, the big picture regarding resources, technology and
economy the author gives a view of the ecological challenges of our
time. On this basis he proceeds to the fundamental economic and
political conditions. Finally, he sketches the changes that are needed
and this results in the radically different society system “ Garden
Earth ”. The narrative has many references to environment and political
sciences and is a very thoughtful and persistent argumentation for a
radical societal change. Anders Weidung
Garden Earth is an important contribution to the environmental debate…It is as complex and at the same time as simple as a garden can be. John Gerard, Newsletter of Ekolådan
“While this book represents serious and well researched scholarship, abundant with factual data from authoritative sources, it is written in a very accessible style with a sense of personal warmth and lighthearted humor that keeps one’s interest without excessive jargon. […] This work gives us an excellent tool for understanding agriculture and food systems through a social ecology compatible lens, and a valuable contribution to the discussion of how to bring about a society that is rational, prosperous, equitable and ecologically based.”
Writes Grace Gershuny in a review of Garden Earth at the web site of the Institute for Social Ecology
You can read the whole review here.
“if you want to read only one book on sustainability, I warmly recommend this one! This one gives me hope for the future. But we are still facing the biggest challenge in the history of the modern human being.”
writes Kristian Stålne in a recent review of Garden Earth.
The book is used as literature in a university course on Sustainable Transition
