One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World by Ingrid E. Newkirk with Jane Ratcliffe

Posted on Apr 17, 2009
By Tanya Turgeon

One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World
by Ingrid E. Newkirk with Jane Ratcliffe

REVIEW by Tanya Turgeon

Adams Media, 2008
256 pages
$16.95

   With Earth Day in the near future (April 22) and Obama's enthusiasm for community service in the White House, there is no time like the present to get out there and help the world. Sometimes all it takes is a little motivation. Which is why seasoned author, activist, and animal advocate Ingrid E. Newkirk gathered the essays of 50 inspirational people under the single title One Can Make a Difference.

   Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and inspirational in her own right, introduces each writer with a few biographical sentences and a personal note on why the individual was selected. The essayists cover all walks of life from celebrity (Paul McCartney) to civilian (Barbara Adams), artist (Sue Coe) to athlete (Martina Navratilova), leader (Representative Dennis Kucinich) to lay person (Dave Seegar), actor (Kevin Bacon) to activist (Keith McHenry), drag queen (Lady Bunny) to the Dalai Lama.

   Only a few of the stories are directly related to dogs but it's hard to imagine a world without these contributions. Doris Richards fought an uphill battle to create and maintain the first dog park in San Francisco pioneering the way for dog parks across the world. Dr. Neal Barnard founded the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine bringing preventative medicine to the foreground and saving thousands of dogs' lives by moving medical learning into a more practical and humane environment.

   More often dogs make a cameo appearance though with no less impact. Carol Buckley's initial work with dogs led to the eventual creation of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Kathy Freston, model turned self-help guru, changed her life, in part, through adopting a dog named Beans. "Beans, the mutt who had been through God knows what before he got to me, taught the greatest lesson of all; that happiness is attained by giving and receiving kindnesses."

   Sean Astin speaks out for literacy, Rebecca Hosking exposes plastic pollution, Robin Kevan picks up garbage, and Ru Hartwell plants trees. Newkirk's point that everyone has the ability to take their passion to the next level cannot be more clear. So if your passion is dogs why not do a little extra for Earth Day? Adopt a dog or spay or neuter your current pooch to help control the pet population. Switch to biodegradable poop bags or environmentally friendly dog shampoo. Maybe just take extra time to explore every tree and bush with your dog, whose own appreciation of Mother Earth may inspire you to make a difference.

    In sync with Earth Day the pages of One Can Make a Difference are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.