Eco-Innovators profiles some of the region's most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in sustainability. These entrepreneurs and educators, activists and agitators, farmers and fishers have all made measurable contributions both in their respective fields of interest and in motivating others to make change.

In the book, we meet Kim Thompson, a strawbale builder and consultant, who has recently brought her building experience to a renovation of an older house in downtown Halifax. Then there's Edwin Theriault, who bought a bale of clothing back in 1971 and launched Frenchy's, a chain of seventy-six used-clothing stores that has become an East Coast institution. Edwin doesn't consider himself an environmentalist at all, but over the years his business has kept countless tonnes of material out of landfills. Also profiled are Speerville Flour Mill and Olivier Soaps in New Brunswick, Sean Gallagher of Local Source in Halifax, David and Edith Ling of Fair Acre Farm on PEI, and Jim Meaney of Cansolair solar heat air exchangers in Newfoundland, among many others.

With ten chapters on matters like reducing consumption, greening the home, sustainable eating, dressing, transportation, and vacationing, the book is an important look into the lives of Atlantic Canadians committed to creating viable green options in our region.

Chris is author of Eco-Innovators: Sustainability in Atlantic Canada, winner of the Best Atlantic-Published Book Award and finalist for the Richardson Non-Fiction Prize, and the novel, Drive-by Saviours, which was longlisted for Canada Reads and a ReLit Prize. Chris’ creative work has been published by VoicePrint Canada, Descant, Arts East, Third Person Press, Nashwaak Review, Pottersfield Press, Fierce Ink Press, Rattling Books, The Society and The Coast. Visit www.chrisbenjaminwriting.com. He owes a debt to St. Lucia for changing his life for the better.

Chris Benjamin's profile page

• Winner, APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award
• Short-listed, Evelyn Richardson Memorial Non-Fiction Award