A Global Guidebook for Activism in the Age of Climate Chaos and Social Injustice
In 1994, Patagonia invited representatives from 75 grassroots nonprofit organizations to gather and learn from active experts how to be more effective at what they do. Through this ongoing conference as well as years of funding these organisations, Patagonia has helped thousands of activists make the changes they envision for the world.
In 2016, Patagonia publishedTools for Grassroots Activists,a compilation of presentations from the Tools conferences, accompanied by case studies and inspiring essays from environmental leaders.
The world since then has changed in profound ways, and this new edition reflects the world we now occupy.
Completely revised,Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker's Guidebook,The lessons and examples it shares are as current, diverse, and global as the change makers working around the world.
At a high level, the book's structure echos an activist's journey. It begins with self-reflection, essays prompting readers to identify their purpose and clarify their cause. The focus shifts to the inner workings of an organisation or campaign - how to create a communications strategy,organise people, and fundraise - before taking an outward look at creating momentum through mobilising and events, using political tools, collaborating with other people and organisations, and taking legal action. The book culminates with a chapter all about movements: How combining purpose, effective organisations, and momentum can create a tidal wave that can change the world.
Ago-to resource for driving change, offering anyone who is passionate about environmental and social justice a timely and relevant resource to support their mission-aligned work, this book is intended for both those who are new to taking action and seasoned activists and community organisers who want to learn how others are finding success.
The hope is that, like its predecessor, it will become dog-eared and scribbled in
a reassuring and resourceful companion to the environmental and environmental justice movements.
Edited by:
Nick Mucha,
Patrick Thomas,
Jessica Flint
Imprint: Patagonia Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781952338168
ISBN 10: 1952338166
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 16 July 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
"Why a Tools Conference? by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia Why a Tools Book? by Ryan Gellart, CEO of Patagonia Introduction by Nick Mucha, Patagonia Environmental Capacity Building Director Ch 1 The Ongoing Evolution of a Changemaker Activism as a Lifelong Journey: Passing the Baton by Annie Leonard Case Study: Undamming the Klamath River by Amy Cordalis Essay: Intersectional Environmentalism: A New Frame for Today and the Future by Leah Thomas, The Intersectional Environmentalist Case Study: Sixteen Brave Montana Youth Win Their Climate Rights in Court by Our Children's Trust Part Two: The Tools Chapter 1: Clarifying Your Cause and Creating a Strategic Plan How to: Create Your Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan by Jamie Henn, Fossil Free Media How to: Develop Strategies and Tactics by Dr. Chad Nelson, Surfrider Foundation Essay: Listening to History by Jade Begay, NDN Collective Case Study: Energy Garden by Agamemnon Otero, Energy Gardens (UK) Essay: Beginnings by Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE Chapter 2: Communications How To: Communicate Effectively, by Kristen Grimm, Spitfire Strategies How To: Reject Dominant Narratives, by Tsering Yangzom Lama, Greenpeace Case Study: Rewilding Argentina Foundation by Martina Sasso, Fundacion Rewilding Argentina Essay: Creating Change with Your Story by Julian Mocine-McQueen, Million Person Project Chapter 3: Working Together How to: Work Effectively with Board, Staff, and Volunteers, by Mallory Erickson Field Notes: The Value of Organizational Diversity by Andrés Jimenez, Green 2.0 Case Study: Idaho's Boulder and White Cloud Mountains, by Rick Johnson Essay: Finding Purpose in a Broken World, by Kevin J. Patel, OneUpAction International Essay: The Bronx Is Blooming With Volunteers by Jennifer Beaugrand, The Bronx Is Blooming Ch 4 Fundraising How To: Raise Money for Your Organization, by Kimberly O’Donnell and Janet Cobb, Network for Good How To: Write Grants that Win, by Meredith Noble HOw To: Fundraise to Sustain Your Organization, by Megan Seibel, Capacity Refresh Case Study: Mi Familia Vota by Carlos Duarte, Mi Familia Vota Ch 6 Lobbying and Voting How To: Win with Legislations, by Kai Anderson, Cassidy and Associates Essay: Lessons from Lobbying by Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Field Notes: Mobilizing To Shift Power, by Judith Le Blanc, Native Organizers Alliance Essay: Engaging Youth in Politics by Momoko Nojo, (Japan) Case Study: NY Renews by Leslie Cagan, NY Renews Chapter 7: Legal Action How To: Take Legal Action, by Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice Essay: When to Sue for Change, by Hollie Kerwin, Environmental Justice Case Study: Communities for a Better Environment, by Darryl Molina Sarimiento, Communities for a Better Environment Essay: Defending Your Right to Speak Out, by Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace Essay: Non Violent Direct Action by Nadine Bloch Ch 8 Economics How To: Use Economics to Win, by Julien Vincent, Market Forces Essay: Pricing the Priceless, by Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save the Waves Coalition Case Study: The Kilmanjaro Porters Assistance Program, by Jessica Flint Chapter 9: Join with Others How to: Work with Others, by Dianne J. Russel, Institute for Conservation Leadership How to: Unify Many Voices by Takayoshi Yokoyama, 350.org (Japan) Case Study: Bristol Bay, by Shoren Brown, The Conservation Alliance Chapter 10: Movements How to: Build Movements by Dr. Hahrie Han, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute How To: Create Inclusive Events, by Nyiesha Mallett, UPROSE Essay: Building the Big Shift by Bill McKibben, Third Act, founder of 350.org Case Study: Fight for the Bight by Jess Lerch, Wilderness Society Australia Chapter 11: Taking Care and Sticking with It Essay: Persistence by Jungim Kim, Korea Essay: Resilience and Renewal by Beth Kanter, BethKantor.org Essay: ""Sometimes You Need a F**king Boat,"" by Aaron Hill"
Nick Mucha (he/him/his) is the Environmental Programs Manager at Patagonia. In this role, Nick leads Patagonia's efforts to build organizational capacity and effectiveness for Patagonia's nonprofit partners. His work is born out of a deep appreciation for the vitally important role that nonprofit organizations play in tackling our most vexing environmental, social, and economic issues. Nick has 15 years' experience leading conservation and community development programs throughout the world. His interest in this work was born while he and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Honduras from 2004-2006. From that experience Nick founded his own organization supporting coastal communities that were grappling with booming surf tourism in southern Nicaragua. After running that organization for 7 years, Nick served as Director of Programs for Save The Waves Coalition with a focus on protecting surf ecosystems worldwide. Nick holds a B.A.in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Nick is usually serving up dad jokes to his three kids or scheming to get in a quick surf, trail run, or weekend adventure off-grid. Patrick Thomas is a Minnesota-based marketing leader, editor, and consultant. Over 20 years of publishing work he's edited New York Times bestsellers, served as managing director of Milkweed Editions, ran the San Francisco Chronicle book review, and developed innovative branching narrative gaming scripts. He's been fortunate to work with numerous award-winning writers, scientists, adventurers, and poets, and believes in the powerful role stories have to play in saving the planet. Jessica Flint has worked as an editor at such publications as Vanity Fair, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Departures, and was a content strategist at Apple. She has written about mountain climbing in Africa for Outside, hiking with her father through Chilean Patagonia for Departures, and trends in sustainable travel for National Geographic, among other publications. She lives in Minnesota.
