There are many voices speaking out about climate change and its impact on our planet. There are many advocates for solutions through such approaches as renewable energy technologies, green building, and hybrid vehicles. Receiving less attention are those who question the cultural values from which the demand for energy arises. State of the World 2010 – Transforming Cultures takes on this challenge. It addresses the nature of consumerism and shows us how the unending need for more results in a reduced quality of life devoid of the dignity and richness of relationship that give meaning to human existence. It shows how highly paid marketing experts fuel the insatiable appetite for goods upon which the world economy is based and how the current measures of wellbeing, such as GNP, are inadequate indicators of quality of life. For these reasons, State of the World 2010 – Transforming Cultures, is a must read. Humans will never make choices that require us to sacrifice that upon which we believe our happiness is based. It is only when we come to realize that what we are seeking from our illimitable consumption fails to provide satisfaction that we will direct our attention to creating new models for living that lead to a more meaningful existence. This book inspired me to become involved in the project as a volunteer. ( )

I am an intern at The Worldwatch Institute. This book will be released January 2010, but I read the free preview edition that is available now for download at http://bit.ly/PreviewSOW2010 ( )