Stephanie Mills

Fellow, Biodiversity & Bioregionalism

Ecology

Stephanie Mills is a renowned author and lecturer on bioregionalism, ecological restoration, community economics, and voluntary simplicity. Her books include Tough Little Beauties (2007), Epicurean Simplicity (2002), and Turning Away from Technology (1997). An ecological activist for over 30 years, she has written or edited six books and countless articles, and edited a number of publications including Earth Times and CoEvolution Quarterly. Stephanie has lectured at numerous institutions, including the E.F. Schumacher Society, the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

In her 1969 college commencement address Stephanie decried overpopulation and natural resource exploitation, and vowed to never have children — a statement The New York Times called "perhaps the most anguished...of the year's crop of valedictory speeches." In 1996 she was named by Utne Reader as one of the world's leading visionaries. Stephanie lives in Northwest Lower Michigan.

videos

Stephanie Mills: On (Not) Having Children & Living Sustainably

length: 1:46   credit:

In 1969, Post Carbon Institute Fellow Stephanie Mills made national headlines when she declared during her valedictory speech that she would skip having children for environmental reasons.

Four decades later, she answers the question: What advice do you give people who feel conflict about having children and living sustainably?

Latest Publications

9 Global Experts Steer the Gulf Oil Spill Conversation into Fresh Waters

Stephanie Mills    May 20, 2010   

In an effort to broaden the conversation about the horrific Gulf Coast oil spill, nine Fellows of the Post Carbon Institute offer their perspectives on largely underreported aspects and outcomes of the disaster.   ERIKA … >>

On Gandhi's Path

Stephanie Mills

Bigger has turned out not to be better. Servicing the global economy has exacted a heavy toll in the erosion of our communities and the destruction of our environment. Increasingly, we are coming to realize that the way … >>

press coverage

"Earth Days" premiered on PBS to mark 40th anniversary of Earth Day

Stephanie Mills  

Post Carbon Fellow Stephanie Mills is one of the environmental leaders featured in this film "Earth Days", directed by Robert Stone, which tells the inspiring story of the modern environmental movement. The film was … >>