BOOK REVIEWS
Bas de Leeuw (former Head of Sustainable Consumption at UNEP, Paris)
"With his book, ‘It has to be CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY’, Uchita de Zoysa has managed to open up for those who are wondering where his passion comes from, and has shared his dreams, and his disappointments, in a very personal way. The title as such shows his mindset; there is no doubt, there is no other way. It shows where he is coming from, and I hope it shows where he is going too: leading the sustainability movement, leading a diverse group of people who realize that there is no such thing as ‘who is doing what’, but that we are in it all together and only can get out of it all together. Over the last decade I have known Uchita as a thinker, a writer, a do-er and an activist, who is deeply committed to a better planet where poverty will no longer exist, and where quality of life is enjoyed by all. He speaks with great emotion and does not hesitate to give his anger a – loud – voice, and inviting him to your conference to ‘get a voice from the South’ is a clear winner. Uchita’s participation to a conference normally generates a discussion more sharp than it was before his intervention, more about the ‘real thing’, and less talking within the comfort zone, where so many speakers and participants are feeling so well at ease. In his book, Uchita demonstrates his power to inspire people to come together and plan joint activities, workshops, declarations, all geared towards this greater goal: sustainability. No matter what background, nationality or institution they are coming from - governments, researchers, NGO’s, and, even, business - they enjoy the opportunity to work in a different setting and with other people then they are used to. The Climate Sustainability Platform convened by Uchita is such a place where people can freely think, talk and express themselves, as I have witnessed and experienced myself at the occasion of the Copenhagen Climate Conference, in December 2009. I hope to keep walking with him on that path."
Flora Ijjas (Sustainable Consumption Researcher, Hungary)
"Most of the books written on sustainability, or climate change are dealing with the outer effects of the processes. They can not really reach the causes, as they mostly stay in the outer world. Uchita de Zoysa tries it in a different and risky way. He goes beyond and examines the inner forces as well, that are driving humanity and individuals. The specialty of this book is its honesty. Sometimes it may sound too fundamental and „fiery” as its aim was to wake up the people. But it’s about more than that. Uchita de Zoysa shows us relations according to environmental and human right issues we haven’t been thinking of and proposes revolutionary new ideas, we haven’t heard of before. For a western person it is inspiring how different the issue of climate change and environmental problems in general rises in the mind of a person who has experienced deep suffering of the poor. But he also tells us, that sometimes rich people are those who suffer more. What Uchita de Zoysa is really good at is that he writes using both of his right and left brain at the same time. It enables him to see the connection between the outer and the inner world, to see the outer and inner causes of the problems. With his words: the mind is, that governs the cravings of the physical body...And its the mind that creates sustainable choices. In the chapter „In search of mindfulness” he shares with us an integral way of how to get into balance again as one whole living system and community. It is a very inspiring and holistic proposal focusing on wellbeing of all, on sufficiency, on sustainable lifestyles and livelihoods, on ensuring equity, on happiness and mindfulness."
Jeffrey Barber (Integrative Strategies Forum, USA)
"This book is not an academic study or formal analysis of climate change and politics, but rather a passionate plea for dialogue "to engage more people and processes toward a better world." It is a story of personal experience in growing awareness and engagement in the challenge of a world faced with catastrophe and suffering and the obligation for each person to do their part in changing this. As a journalist, de Zoysa immediately acknowledges one of the main barriers to such a dialogue being the very field of media where he was encourged to be "brutally honest and objective." Yet when he reaslied that "the advertising dependent business owners of the media organiztions had different ideas of what ideals should be promoted," he switched from journalist to campaigner. "some American media do not believe in climate change," he notes, lamenting that despite the evidence of scientists and political leaders like Al Gore many Americans remain skeptical. This is certainly one of the most serious challenges facing Americans today, as the ocean temperatures rise and the corals die, while we watch the BP oil spill continue to spread across the Gulf of Mexico. In the latest news an ice island four times the size of Manhattan just broke away from one of Greenland's main glaciers." (see http://citnet.org/blog/It+Has+Be+Climate+Sustainability+A+book+review)
