In this “save-the-planet” book, Stephen Erickson introduces you to exquisite creatures, human and non-human. The challenges they face reveal the immensity of the threat facing each of us — and its urgency. More and more of us are realizing we are now facing humanity’s greatest challenge. Over just the next two decades, the global warming climate crisis threatens to bring about the end of our Anthropocene Epoch — of us and virtually every multicellular life form.
Widespread awareness is essential. Most of us don’t realize who our Arch-Villain is — the main cause of our predicament. We all need to. And we can’t win this fight without a clear understanding of the one solution we have. One which has been in existence since the beginning of time. Key to achieving this solution rapidly and at necessary scale are Five Compassions: for Animals, for Self, for the Land, for Community, and for Democracy.
Compassionate activism can create THE GREAT HEALING: the healing of our planet and the halting of the ongoing sixth great extinction. More than a “call-to-action” book… this is a book with a plan. Four esteemed thought leaders have joined Stephen, contributing three new short essays, photos, and a poem:
Wendell Berry – essayist, novelist, poet, farmer, national treasure
Joel Fuhrman, MD - author of 6 New York Times bestsellers including Eat to Live and The End of Diabetes
Alan Lewis - guides Food and Agriculture Policy for Natural Grocers
Jo-Anne McArthur - We Animals, investigative photojournalist whose images are as heartbreaking as they are beautiful
There is a reason you were born here in human form at this very special time. You matter. You are part of a special generation. You can create the future you want to see. Find your voice, use it. Join us in what will become the most important cause of all of humanity’s endeavors to date. You have the power. More than you realize. You’ll see.
Emotional descriptions (often illustrated by vivid photos) of animal cruelty, oceanic dead zones, and Farm Bill subsidies for “Big Ag” elicit compassion, outrage, and shame. Erickson takes care to balance his concerns with suggestions for solutions. For example, after decrying the ravages of diabetes and related ailments, he prints a brief essay by celebrity doctor Joel Fuhrman on healthy eating (though some readers may take issue with Fuhrman’s suggestion that people suffering from medical problems eschew medications in favor of following Fuhrman’s own trademarked dietary plan). A discussion of topsoil loss due to overfarming is followed by a primer on regenerative agriculture.
Readers who find calling their senators easier than going vegetarian will be relieved by Erickson’s view that government intervention is just as important as individual and community activism. “Realize your power as a citizen in our democracy,” he advises, encouraging readers to push for the Green New Deal and other large-scale actions. Though informed conservationists will know much of this information already, Erickson’s passion and earnestness make it accessible and interesting to a wider readership.
Takeaway: This alarming but not alarmist work provides purposeful, accessible, and concrete ways to counter and prevent ecological damage.
Great for fans of Melanie Joy’s Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows; Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A+
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
“Erickson’s ability to connect climate science, copious data, and public policies with the lived experiences of people and other creatures sets this book apart. His emphasis on humane and caring methods reminds readers that winning hearts and minds is a prerequisite to capturing carbon. An inspired synthesis of environmental, cultural, economic, and political calls to action.”
“The ambitious book’s five chapters highlight compassionate approaches toward animals, self, the land, community, and democracy. Erickson’s writing displays passion, clarity, and a grasp of every topic he tackles.”
"An exceptionally well and persuasively written clarion call to personal and collective action, 'The Great Healing - Five Compassions That Can Save Our World' is unreservedly and urgently recommended for community, college, and university library Contemporary Social Issues collections in general, and Climate Change Environmental supplemental studies curriculums in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, environmental activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that 'The Great Healing' is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99)."
“Everyone with an interest in Agriculture (that is any person who consumes food) MUST READ The Great Healing. This book will catapult the agricultural revolution of Modern Times.” -Ted Dupmeier DVM MVSc Dr. Ted & Associates Veterinary Consulting Food Animal Veterinarian renowned throughout North America
CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today one million species of plants and animals are facing extinction. Over the next two decades, global warming will threaten the survival of virtually every multicellular life form — including us. In this "save-the-planet" book, The Great Healing - Five Compassions That Can Save The World, award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Stephen Erickson, a member of The Great Healing LLC, introduces exquisite creatures, human and non-human, and the challenges they face, while revealing the Arch Villain and humanity's singular solution.
Four esteemed thought leaders have joined Stephen to contribute three new essays, photos, and a poem:
- Wendell Berry - essayist, novelist, poet, farmer, national treasure
- Joel Fuhrman, MD - author of 6 New York Times bestsellers including Eat to Live and The End of Diabetes
- Alan Lewis - guides Food and Agriculture Policy for Natural Grocers stores
- Jo-Anne McArthur - investigative photojournalist
The main cause of global warming is Big Ag. Its behemoth dark twins, industrial agriculture and factory farming, are responsible for creating a far greater share of greenhouse gas emissions than any other industry. Industrial agriculture also kills the life of the soil, its microbiome, destroying healthy soil's ability to sequester carbon — making the Arch Villain a preeminently lethal adversary.
There exists only one solution to the climate crisis: Regenerative agriculture and healthy soil's natural ability to drawdown and hold carbon. The key to achieving this rapidly and at necessary scale are Five Compassions: Compassion for Animals, for Self, for the Land, for Community, and for Democracy.
Compassionate activism and widespread awareness can create The Great Healing. More than a "call-to-action" book, this is a book with a plan. Told empathetically through the stories of exquisite creatures, they are an emotional invitation, a way in, to easily grasp the situation and its urgency.
Join in what will become the most important cause of all of humanity's endeavors to date.
Visit thegreathealing.org. Buy The Great Healing - Five Compassions That Can Save The World on Amazon.
"I am really happy you are doing this... big job, great contribution."
-Timothy LaSalle, CEO, The Rodale Institute, 2007-2010
Stephen Erickson is a scriptwriter, feature filmmaker, and entertainment executive. That while fathering his children on this fascinating planet during a short window of time that may prove to have been the most magnificent years for human beings ever to be alive.
In The Great Healing he introduces exquisite creatures and takes the reader on an emotional journey, while alerting everyone to a dire threat and revealing the singular solution.
Stephen Erickson is available for media interviews and can be reached at stephenj@thegreathealing.org
SOURCE The Great Healing LLC Related Links: http://thegreathealing.org
