Earth Friendly Book Review:

It’s sad that there’s only one designated day in the year for everybody to come together and recognize the beauty of the planet, the escalating dire need to do something positive about it and become more aware of each of our actions: Earth Day.

Now, mind you, I’m not a “tree hugging, corporate rebelling, hippie radical” (Seinfeld: -not that there’s anything wrong with that..-) who hunts for sticks, bark and berries for my morning meal, has converted every light to fluorescent, and wears only hemp underwear.

I love the planet, and am conscience about what I do during my time upon it, however. I do recycle, I just love fluorescent, Full Spectrum bulbs (big difference and affordable now), and a whole slew of other environmentally friendly acts, and actions that don’t really take away from my lifestyle, but adds to it.

But, if you are looking for some updated reading, written with fresh eyes, check out this do-gooders book: Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide To Greening Your Day. If the name alone is not enough to make you go all warm and fuzzy inside, perhaps the cover will do the trick: A person stuck head first into the ground, legs in the air, diving into the earth with such passion, like a miser spotting a quarter on the ground.

environmentally friendly book review

Chocked full of realistic, non-threatening, easy to implement baby steps that can save energy, money and the environment, often all at once.

For example, a semi-recent switch in my household (with this past year), is switching to Cold-Water detergent. My tests show it works just as well – but without having to pay for the heat to use hot water. If I have an especially stubborn stain, I use hot and I don’t feel guilty about it.

A lot of people make the mistake, thinking and believing, to be environmentally friendly means you must have an “all or nothing; take it or leave it stance”. Nope.

If you get the notion to race dune buggies on a hot day, do it – but I think it’s dumb and a waste to sit with your car going nowhere, while idling, burning gas. I hate (I don’t use that word very often) cutting down trees, and try my best not to – - but if the gigantic sycamore in my front yard inches to close to my home, damn straight I’ll trim it back.

See.. I think a lot of people could be much more pro-active in their pursuit of earth friendly purpose, but most think about it, rather than putting their money where their mouth is and DOING something about it. Big difference. A life changing one. An environmentally impacting difference.

I think the magic words here are: “Within Reason”. Hell, you are miles ahead if you simply become AWARE of your actions. That’s so simple – but few bother.

-Joe