But What Can I Do?: Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It

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After 2016 - Brexit, Trump, rise of populism, nasty social media etc - and then the horrors of the Tory governments since, I’d disengaged with politics and didn’t want to be associated with a country that supported nationalist, isolationist and racist policy and practice. The book is also hypocritical. He describes how polarisation is used in modern day politics, using the 'us' and 'them' tactic then later in the book calls up young bright voters 'us' to overturn the norm elected by the 'them' older voters. As Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace US and Fonda's partner in developing FDF, has declared, "Change is inevitable; by design, or by disaster." Together, we can commandeer change for the positive--but it will require collective actions taken by social movements on an unprecedented scale. The problems we face now require every one of us to join the fight. The fight for not only our immediate future, but for the future of generations to come. For some, the hardest items to declutter are books. But one of the most common questions I get asked is, “ Where can I donate books?”

You can also make use of Little Libraries on vacation. Just look up on the Little Library Map to see if there are any near where you’ll be. Again you can donate some of your unwanted books here to a great cause.

Here are a few other places doing cool stuff with books. They are not accepting book donations at this time—but if you want to financially support reading programs, here are a couple to look into: United Through Reading and Reading Education Assistance Dogs. I’ve noticed that sometimes hotels have lending libraries! So again, if you are on vacation and your hotel has a lending library, bring a few that you can leave and add to their library. And if you need a new book, grab one to take with you! 12. BookCrossing I learned much from this book. For example, I did not know the military is exempt from most environmental regulations, nor just how closely related petroleum extraction and war is. Jane writes: “Every single war fought in the past 80 years, if not longer, has been about oil.”

If selling isn’t an option, you may be wondering what to do with unwanted books you can’t sell? 6. Recycling books The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest providers of social aid. Proceeds from their stores are used to fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those in the grip of addiction find help, hope, and a second chance at life. Find a location near you. Urgent. Positive! Digestible. Hopeful. Doable. See table of contents. An answer to What Can I Do? at the end of every chapter. When I started writing it, Boris Johnson was in Downing Street. Two prime ministers later, the mess the country is in is greater than ever. But though the UK is the country I know best, I try to range far and wide in showing how the trends doing such damage to politics here are having a similar corrosive effect elsewhere. And while I do not hide my distaste for the Tories, I genuinely hope to offer ideas and insights that help people of all political persuasions and none, including those who are unsure what they believe in as yet. I hope, too, that current politicians read the book, and reflect that they, and the way they do politics, are a big part of the problem. They need to change, or be changed.

That question is the inspiration behind this book. It's a question regularly posed to Alastair Campbell, not least in reaction to The Rest is Politics , the chart-topping podcast he presents with Rory Stewart. His answer, typically, is forthright and impassioned. We cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. If we think things need to change, then we need to change them, and that means getting involved. BWB collects and sells books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide. You can find more about their donation process here. To host a book exchange, just invite other book-loving friends to join you and bring their books they want to recycle. You can do this through your book club or just invite a group of friends to come over with their books. You can host for adults and/or kids. 15. Donate to Charity As with other places offered on this list, be sure to call and inquire about the current level of need to ensure that your donation is not a burden.