Buy the Change You Want to See

Use Your Purchasing Power to Make the World a Better Place

By: Jane Mosbacher Morris, Wendy Paris

Narrated by: Jane Mosbacher Morris

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Eager to change the world? Learn how you can have a greater social impact through your everyday purchases.

The money we routinely spend on food, clothes, gifts, and even indulgences is an untapped superpower. What would happen if we slowed down to make more thoughtful decisions about what we buy? For "mom and pop" stores across the country, and artisan and agricultural communities around the world, every purchase matters.

Consumers - whether individuals, small businesses, or corporations - are paying more attention than ever to how their goods are made; and retailers - large and small - are responding by investing in ethical and eco-friendly production. Yet figuring out which brands to support can feel overwhelming. Jane Mosbacher Morris has devoted her career to creating economic opportunities for vulnerable communities around the world, and in this valuable audiobook, she shares her passion and insights on how we, as consumers, can create positive change, too. 

Covering topics that range from why not all factories are evil, to how our morning coffee can be the easiest way for us to use our purchasing power for good, Buy the Change You Want to See makes us better-informed consumers. Morris tells inspiring stories about how victims of human trafficking and natural disasters have been empowered by economic opportunity, and she offers practical ideas about how we can support these communities through our purchases - whether it comes to jewelry made from recycled materials in Haiti, sustainably grown and ethically sourced coffee and chocolate from farmers in some of the poorest regions of the world, or mass-produced jeans and shoes made in factories where workers are guaranteed decent working conditions and a fair wage.

©2019 Jane Mosbacher Morris (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

 “The time has come to put consumer power to good use. Whether we use our purchasing power to support small businesses and good causes, or to send a message to producers and companies, our potential for impact is massive. Buy the Change You Want to See is a powerful guide to shaping the world we want to see.” (Gayle Smith, president and CEO of the ONE Campaign and former administrator of the US Agency for International Development)

"A must-read for anyone who believes in the power of the private sector to drive positive change in our world. This book makes it clear that doing well while doing good is not only easier than ever for businesses, but critical to market competitiveness." (Cindy McCain, chair of the McCain Institute for International Leadership) 

"An inspiring voice for change. For any woman who doesn't feel like she has the power to change the world, Jane shows us she can." (Ambassador Melanne Verveer, former US ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues) 

Eye Opening

This book has so much information in it. I would listen, go to the internet, bookmark a page and back to the book. I always appreciate books that lead me to investigate more, and this one does it with a great story to go along.

Too much praising corporations

Not met my expectations. Didn’t highlight how put more pressure on the corporations to behave more sustainably but rather praising them for doing bare minimum