Professor to premiere book with green message

For the past five years, English professor Scott Russell Sanders has written essays and compiled them into a new book with a direct message of conservational ideas and a focus on the health of the environment.

Sanders will premiere his latest book, “A Conservationist Manifesto,” during “An Evening with Scott Russell Sanders” from 5 to 7 p.m. today at FARMbloomington in a night full of local music, local food and a message of local sustainability.

“Among the ideas that are relevant is the value of local economies, local foods, local merchants, local enterprises and local art – not importing from elsewhere,” Sanders said. “We as a people must shift from a culture of consumption to a culture of sustainability.”

One major theme in the book is to return to relying on one’s local community for resources, instead of looking elsewhere.

Sanders, who will read passages from his books and sign a few copies during the event, has written more than 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, many of them about nature.

But “Manifesto” has more of a direct message on helping the environment, especially in south central Indiana.

It also sends a message to stop the wasteful culture that is rapidly depleting resources. Sanders said he considers his book one small effort to counter that
depletion.

The two-hour fundraiser, a portion of whose proceeds go to Sycamore Land Trust, will include Hoosier tapas dishes from Chef Daniel Orr, owner of FARM, along with beer and wine from the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

Local musician and writer Tom Roznowski will perform with his band the Living Daylights. Roznowski has collaborated with Sanders previously and said he supports the message of the book.

“People must increase their consciousness of the environment and their reliance to it,” Roznowski said. “Our biggest challenge as a culture is defining what we can get by with.”

Orr said he hopes there is a student presence on Monday.

“We want students to get involved and share the youth energy,” Orr said. “The more young people the better.”

FARM is a green business that exemplifies the beliefs espoused by Sanders in his book, as even the company’s take-out bags are recyclable, Orr said.

“We have a responsibility to the people who will live after us,” Sanders said, “an ethical responsibility to leave an undamaged world to future generations.”  

The planners of the event said they hope the night will be one for sharing ideas and meeting people who share their beliefs.

“Introduce everyone to new groups and make connections,” Roznowski said, referring to his goal for the event. “Make discoveries. Building community – that’s what it’s all about.”