Change The World For a Fiver: We Are What We Do

Although this does not strictly apply in any of the article categories at Global Gophers we have included a review of this book as it is important to what we believe. "Change the World for a Fiver" is a small, fun book written by www.wearewhatwedo.org.

It provides "50 simple actions to change the world and make you feel good".  In an increasingly frenetic world where most sane people are starting to feel concern for the impact that we are having on this fragile earth of ours this book is full of inspiration and fresh ideas. All 50 actions are outlined on their website.  

Some of our favorites are:

#1 DECLINE PLASTIC BAGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE 8 billion bags are used in the UK alone per year and can take 500 years to decay in landfill.  In the USA almost all supermarkets double or even triple bag items - it is an uphill battle to try and stop using plastic bags as it is seen as customer service to double bag.

#12 TURN OFF APPLIANCES AT THE MAINS - to save energy and money

#25 USE A MUG NOT A PLASTIC CUP - I bought a mug for someone to take to work and this simple action has inspired four other colleagues to do the same.

#45 GIVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO 5 PEOPLE ON YOUR STREET - I gave it to three and got a great response from two who we now have over for drinks.

The actions are not all environmentally related - some are "Spend time with someone for a different generation", "learn first-aid" and "have more family meals together". The book is sold in most bookshops in the UK and can also be bought online at Amazon (click on the UK page) - failing that you can always make a request from the British Gopher.