L is for Lifestyle

To buy L is for Lifestyle in paperback or as an eBook click here.

Summary

How can we live more responsibly? In this A-Z, Ruth Valerio highlights the main threats to people and our planet, God’s beloved creation. She shows us how, by making small but significant changes to our lifestyle, we can learn the secret of a life that is both fair and simple.

Scenario: you wake up and jump in the shower. The water is hot and the house warm. You eat breakfast: coffee made with water boiled in the kettle, and cereal with milk kept cool in the fridge. You throw out the foil trays from last night’s takeaway before jumping in the car and setting off for work.

You’ve done nothing unusual, but already your lifestyle choices – yes, choices – have had an impact on people and the environment across the world.

With warmth and honesty, the author shares her personal journey as well as disturbing findings and deep concerns. It is her passion that we would all play our part in caring for the amazing earth that our God has so wisely and generously created.

Press Reviews

Ruth Valerio is a true pioneer… This book brings us all the benefit of her hard-won experience and applied faith, and will be an essential resource for all concerned to live the whole of their lives to God’s glory and for the healing of his creation.

– Peter Harris, A Rocha


An incredible textbook for changing the world.

– Shane Claiborne, author and activist


Offers a challenge that none of us can ignore. Buy it, read it, and make a difference.

– Elaine Storkey, theologian, author and social scientist


A wealth of ideas for those who want to live with integrity in the light of Scripture.

– Roy McCloughry, author


We are standing on the brink of ecological collapse. Many fall into the temptation of apathy or despair. In this inspiring book, Ruth Valerio moves us from apathy to action, challenging us with the urgent biblical mandate to become healers of the earth. She moves us from despair into becoming drivers of change, not only making individual lifestyle changes, but becoming catalysts for significant transformation in society. This is a practical handbook of faith and action that every Christian should read, use and recycle on to as many friends as possible!

– Rev Dr Rachel Mash, Canon for the Environment, Anglican Church of Southern Africa


Ruth has a rare ability to change a person’s way of seeing the world, and at the same time provide very practical steps needed to live out that new way of seeing the world. She’s done that for me. Because of Ruth, I see caring for God’s beautiful world as a natural part of following Christ and I have plenty of simple ways to put that faith into action. This book will do the same for you.

– Jeff Galley, Central LifeGroups and Missions Leader, Life.Church, US


Ruth’s love for the natural world bursts through every page of this book. For many years, she has shaped her life to share this planet with God’s amazing community of creation. This book is a priceless handbook on how to live sustainably. Ruth does so humbly and honestly, sharing the joys and difficulties of being planet-friendly in a consumer world.

– Margot Hodson, church minister and Theology and Education Director of the John Ray Initiative


I absolutely love this book. There cannot be a more poignant moment to pick such a relevant and engaging read. In these pages we are invited to participate in a journey that will shape the future of our world and the world of so many others. Ruth takes us on a journey that we can all engage in, with easy-to-access ideas and practices. I felt so energised having read this, to be part of that different story. Buying this book will change your life for the better, and in so doing, change our world.

– Mark Melluish, Minister, St Paul’s Ealing, and Assistant National Leader of New Wine UK

12 Comments

  • Reply John Bustard August 1, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Hi Ruth,

    My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed your talk recently in Coleraine (both days!). Your talk inspired us toward promoting Traidcraft locally – so in 3 weeks time at the Vineyard Car Boot Sale and Farmers Market (a gigantic monthly event!) we are trying to promote Traidcraft with the slogan ‘Use your LOAF’ (a tip of the hat to A Rocha!). Is there a supply of your books locally or a possibility that we could order 10 copies for resale? We can use our copy for demo on the day. Thanks and appreciate your work and insights.

    • Reply John Bustard August 1, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      :o)

      • Reply ruthvalerio August 14, 2013 at 9:37 am

        Hi John, nice to hear from you, I’m glad you enjoyed my talk, and it’s great to here of what you’re doing. I think you’re probably best to talk with IVP direct about getting hold of some copies of my book. Google ivpbooks and you’ll find them. I hope the day goes really well – let me know. Cheers!

  • Reply A Selby January 1, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    Dear Ruth
    I have read your book every new year since I bought it in 2009. I find it a really good way to reinspire myself to look at the impact my lifestyle has on others and find new ways to improve. I was wondering if you had any plans to revise and update it as you did in 2004. It would be really useful to see how things have changed over the last 8 years.

    • Reply ruthvalerio January 2, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      Wow, thank you so much, that’s really lovely to hear! I have been thinking for a while about revising ‘L is for Lifestyle’, aware now that it is some years since the last revision came out and that much will have changed in the last 8 years. Your comment encourages me to think about that a bit more seriously and maybe actually do something about it… thank you. You’ll hear if anything happens! All the best to you.

  • Reply Green Living; Part of the Biblical Narrative, Part of the Christian Life. An Interview with Ruth Valerio, Part Two | New Roots August 30, 2017 at 11:53 am

    […] think everyone should read them! The two books I have written which I recommend everyone reads are L is for Lifestyle, which is a practical look at how we can live in a way that does as little damage as possible to […]

  • Reply William A. M. Cutting June 17, 2019 at 10:03 pm

    Dr Ruth Valerio, TEAR Fund.
    Hi Ruth,
    Heard you on the Sunday programme. It was good and challenging.
    I am eager to get “L is for Living”, but from some things you said, sounds as if you are updating the book. Any publication date? Does it contain any data indicating the size of the impact different interventions/actions would make? Any quantification scores? (Becoming a vegetarian compared with eating chicken twice a week and a Sunday roast? Lowering thermostat of home by 5deg. C compared with cycling 5 miles to work compared to driving there in a small car? Etc, etc.) Certainly it is complicated and difficult to quantify, but people need to know what are the things that will make most impact?
    I am a retired medical missionary and consultant paediatrician and long-time supporter of TEAR fund. My friend Prof Andrew Tomkins still does a lot of consultancy work for TEAR fund.
    Blessings and best wishes on your work,
    William. (Dr William A.M. Cutting. )

  • Reply Climate Change | St. Luke's Church, Maidstone June 30, 2020 at 11:39 am

    […] point.  For more action ideas see previous St Luke’s Eco Church blogs, Ruth Valerio’s book L is for Lifestyle and many other internet resources & podcasts. Jen Gale’s A Sustainable Life website and […]

  • Reply God's Vision for our Relationship with the Natural World - Thinking Faith Network September 8, 2021 at 11:31 pm

    […] If you’d like to think more deeply about lifestyle changes for the planet, Ruth Valerio’s book is excellent and simple. The changes we make will come at a cost, but we have a self-denying God as our […]

  • Reply Renate Hübsch May 20, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    Dear Ruth,

    in L is for Lifestyly you mention, that a full list of all the sources can be found on your website. Well, I didn’t manage to find it – can you send me the link, please? Many thanks,
    Renate

    • Reply Ruth May 20, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      Hello Renate, which edition do you have? I’m afraid the website now doesn’t exist that linked to the older editions. The latest edition (2019) has the references in the book. if it still says the sources are on the website then I apologise for that. I hope you’re enjoying the book though. All the best, Ruth

  • Reply So it’s been a year since I came out… – A God Made Man November 6, 2022 at 9:16 pm

    […] L is for Lifestyle by Ruth Valerio – this just shows the scope of the Christian life I feel and adds contexts for all things of this life that are nothing to do with marriage, romance, sex etc – I think the church at times has made the wrong turn in glorifying marriage above all else and I just how full the life Ruth spells out. […]

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