Jacket Description/Flap:

What do a clothesline, a condom, and a public library have in common? They are among seven everyday "wonders" that can help rein in our economy's rapid plunder of the planet's natural resources.
"Seven Wonders asks readers to ponder a thought-provoking question: What would the world be like if everyone on the planet consumed resources the way we do in North America? The conclusion: probably uninhabitable. But the seven time-honored tools presented in this book--the bicycle, the condom, the ceiling fan, the clothesline, "pad thai, the public library, and the ladybug--can improve our lives and help reduce our colossal appetites to a level the Earth can support. Each of the wonders serves as a springboard for examining critical environmental issues. For example, a discussion of the bicycle inspires new thinking about gridlock, growth, and global warming. Condoms bring up issues of population and public health, while ladybugs in the garden naturally lead to an examination of what pesticides are doing to the environment and our health. Engaging and persuasive, "Seven Wonders artfully demonstrates how surprisingly simple steps can lead to a dramatically more sustainable future for our crowded and complex world.