• Author: Helena Norberg-Hodge
• Publisher: Local Futures, 2016
• Length: 210 pages
• E-book
• Format available to download: Epub (8.3MB), Mobi (19.1MB)
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A moving portrait of tradition and change in Ladakh, or “Little Tibet,” Ancient Futures is also a scathing critique of the global economy and a rallying call for economic localization. When Helena Norberg-Hodge first arrived in Ladakh, she found a pristine environment and a people who exhibited remarkable vitality and joy. But then came economic growth and development. Over the last four decades, a whole range of problems—from polluted air and water to unemployment, religious conflict, eating disorders and youth suicide—have begun to appear for the first time.

Yet this is far from a story of despair. Social and environmental breakdown, Norberg-Hodge argues, is neither inevitable nor evolutionary, but the product of political and economic decisions—and those decisions can be changed. In a new Preface, she presents a kaleidoscope of projects around the world that are pointing the way to both human and ecological well-being. These initiatives are the manifestation of a rapidly growing localization movement, which works to rebuild place-based cultures—strengthening community and our connection with Nature.

Ancient Futures challenges us to redefine what a healthy society means and to find ways to carry centuries-old wisdom into our future. Along with a film of the same title, it has been translated into more than 40 languages.

Originally published in 1991, this 2016 edition contains a new preface by the author, as well as the original foreword by H.H. the Dalai Lama, and an afterword by Peter Matthiessen.

“Some books provide insights into our problems; others offer guidelines for a different future. Ancient Futures does both, brilliantly. A true classic.”

- Bill McKibben

“Ancient Futures was a critical early warning about the social, spiritual and ecological costs of exporting ‘Western’ lifestyles to every corner of the globe.”

- Naomi Klein

“Ancient Futures was a formative influence on my worldview. That it is still so relevant today shows how far ahead of its time it was.”

- Charles Eisenstein

“Ancient Futures had a huge impact on the course of my life’s work. It shows us that another, better world is possible!”

- Frances Moore Lappé