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Further Reading
In this section you will find a list of books and websites that will help you in reducing your impact on the environment by evaluating and changing your consumer habits. But this is just a start - when you check out these resources, you're bound to find other books and Web site links as well. But before you start, how about a little personal evaluation? To discover what ecological footprint you are leaving on the Earth, take the Investigate Biodiversity Ecological Impact Quiz. Answer a few questions to rate just how environmentally sound your actions are, and determine what kind of eco-steward you currently are.The Home Energy Saver Website (homeenergysaver.lbl.gov) is another tool that lets you plug in pertinent information about your home and then calculates how much you're spending on energy. It also suggests changes you could make and shows the savings you could achieve.Once you've taken these tests, it's time to jump in and start exploring some of the books and Web sites below that will put you on the path toward becoming a eco-friendly consumer.Some Suggested Reading
Good Stuff? A Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Things We Buy: Start making informed purchases that benefit your health and the environment today! The good people at Worldwatch Institute offer this handy-dandy guide to the things we buy. http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff/Seafood Watch: Choices for Healthy Oceans : If you love seafood, then you owe it to yourself to choose seafood that's good for you AND the oceans. The Monterrey Bay Aquarium offers a wallet-sized guide to help you in on-the-spot seafood purchasing decisions. And while you're at it, get informed about seafood sustainability. http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspThe Union of Concerned Scientists Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environment Action (By Michael Brower and Warren Leon, New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999): Chewy title, but juicy content that will help consumers and budding activists be better informed about which consumer goods and services have major impacts on the environment and which don't. UCS also has a wide range of fact sheets and publications for free download at http://www.ucsusa.org/.Environmental Building News: EBN has become recognized as the leading publication on environmentally responsible design and construction. Published 10 times a year plus an annual index/resource guide, EBN covers everything from site planning and energy-efficient design, to material selection and construction waste disposal. EBN also produces the Green Building Advisor, an innovative, interactive software tool that helps you identify green design strategies for your building projects. Enter information about a project and based on those inputs GBA generates a prioritized list of strategies organized into categories for easy review. http://www.buildinggreen.com/.Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings (By Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne, and John Morrill Washington, D.C.: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 1999): Excellent annual guide to energy efficient products. If ordered from ACEEE web site you will also get a free copy of the 2001 most efficient appliances list. http://aceee.org/consumerguide/.Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (By Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins, Little, Brown, and Company, 1999): A thorough investigation into the authors' thesis that "the conventional wisdom is mistaken in seeing priorities in economic, environmental, and social policy as competing." Available free for download at http://www.natcap.org/.Sustainable Architecture White Papers (Series on Sustainable Development, Earth Pledge Foundation, 2000): Contributions from more than sixty experts offering insights into responsible growth.Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design (By Suzi McGregor and Nora Burba Trulsson Chronicle Books, 2001): Photographic evidence (supported by well-researched text) that you can build an environmentally friendly home without sacrificing innovation or personal taste.Shopping for a Better World (From the Council on Economic Priorities, 1-800-U-CAN-HELP to order): A booklet that helps you avoid companies that test on animals, are not sensitive to the environment, support or use nuclear power, or have defense department contracts.The Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair (By Denis Hayes, Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2000): The Chairman and CEO of Earth Day lays out the problems and solutions to a healthier environment based on the hard work of many environmental and consumer NGOs. It also includes lots of resources and tips on how you can help, as well as posting new materials at http://www.earthday.com/.Other Useful Web Sites
Official Earth Day Site (http://www.earthday.com/): Just about all you need to know about one of the oldest continuing annual events on behalf of the environment, including the next scheduled Earth Day - also a terrific portal to the websites of dozens of other environmental groups who contribute in some way to Earth Day.National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat (http://nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/) and State of the Campus Environment Report (http://www.nwf.org/campusEcology/HTML/stateofthecampusenvironment.cfm.) can help you keep protecting biodiversity in mind while landscaping your backyard and choosing what college to attend.Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development (http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/): This website is a repository of hundreds of outstanding documents on renewable energy and sustainability.Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (http://www.dsireusa.org/): Listing of the specific incentives your state offers for renewable energy.Home Energy Magazine (http://www.homeenergy.org/): Provides home performance information for both energy-efficient professionals and consumers.Energy Star Program (http://www.energystar.gov): Endorses appliances, electronics, and just about anything else that uses energy in your home and meets conservation standards.American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (http://www.aceee.org): A wide-ranging assessment of the environmental impact of numerous consumer products, including automobiles. ACEEE also publishes an excellent annual guide to energy-efficient products.Friends of the Earth (http://www.foe.org): General environmental organization in Washington, D.C., specializes in air pollution issues.Transportation Alternatives (http://www.transalt.org): New York-based group dedicated to making life better for both cyclists and the community at large.National Center for Bicycling and Walking (http://www.bikefed.org/): NCBW presents informational resources, and outlines actions government agencies, non-governmental organization and individuals can take to improve the environment for bicycling and walking.Commuter Choice Program (http://www.epa.gov/omswww/traq): Learn how the U.S. government is trying to ensure that getting to work other than by car is financially rewarding.The Greener Car Green Book (http://www.greenercars.com/indexplus.html): An environmental guide to cars and trucks, listing the greenest cars on the market.EPA's Green Vehicle Guide (http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/): This guide helps you determine the greenest and most fuel-efficient car to meet your needs.
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