Enviromental care helpbook list.

You can save the planet by Rich Hough.

Wow! This really is a day in the life of your carbon footprint. This book takes an environmental journey through your day. At 7:30 you have breakfast – did you know that 22 glasses of water are used in the processing of 1 glass of Brazilian orange juice? At 4:30 you do your homework – did you know that each year, every person in the UK throws away an estimated 2 trees worth of paper and card? This book is very easy to read and at the end of each chapter it contains useful advice as to how you can live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life. (Includes a six month diary checklist of what you can do to save the planet!)

Paper or plastic by Daniel Imhoff.

Packaging is a huge environmental problem which needs to be addressed. This book focuses on harmful/wasteful packaging which has reached epic proportions. Includes some packaging tips on what you can do: (pretty much just don’t buy products with heaps of packaging), however, it is relevant and thoroughly convincing that greater action must be taken. Jam-packed (Ha!) with statistics and images that make you wince with disgust. If you want to see how pathetic packaging really gets check out the box on page 34… sad.

Sustainable development by Clive Gifford.

At first glance you may think this is just another book which you may only open for a school project. You may actually be right. It does, however, take a serious and somewhat depressing look at the situation of the Earth. Pages 48 and 49 tell you what you can do. It will certainly show you the reasons why environmental change is necessary.

Power by Kate Ravilious.

Easy to read. Focuses on resources and the environment. Designed to make the reader think by its slightly corny “you decide” activities: “would you consider alternative methods of transport when you go on holiday?” – written for young people but seriously – what kid is allowed to decide the type of transport for their parent anyway. Another says: “would you buy a banana that had been grown in the Israeli dessert?” I am not sure if they are asking the right questions, but at the back it does provide books and websites to go to for further information, so you may have more luck there…

1001 easy ways for Earth-wise living by Reader Digest writers.

Hmmmmmmn. Chapter titles include “the natural home”, “around the home”, “the healthy body”, “feeling well”, “Earth-wise gardening” and “out and about”. I mean come on! We are greenies, not housewives who go to Yoga and make “caramelized red onion relish” whilst reading “ten tips for better digestion” (page 200). However, you may find sanity in this book under efficient living, and also “out and about”, which takes a look at power and travel environment tips. Just watch out not to get sucked into “understanding your skin” and “Holistic Health”! (Blurgk!)

Save the Earth by Jonathon Porrit.

First published in 1991, this book may have slightly passed its best by date, however, it does contain some detailed and informative content and seems like it was ahead of its time. Don’t miss the foreword by HRH the Prince of Wales or (more importantly) the introduction by Peter Garret! This book would be very interesting to read if you have enough time on your hands. It has many contributions from a wide variety of well known people and covers in depth a large variety of environmental topics.

Good (magazine).

This magazine does have LOTS of advice. The target audience seems to be for more of an older audience than high school students, though. Some of it will bore you to tears – NO, I am NOT thinking about buying a heat pump! Your parents are likely to benefit from this more than you, but it does provide some valuable content, just have a flick through.

Window by Jennie Baker.

A sophisticated picture book which illustrates the way a community environment can change so easily and drastically over a few years. Wonderful illustrations and a clear message that does not require words.

Earth Matters by David de Rothschild.

It is not just the content of this book that is environmentally friendly - the paper used to make it is sourced from responsibly managed forests, their paper mill recycles 91% of the water required during manufacture. Their printer has reduced its carbon footprint by 52% since 1994 (very clever printer), and generates 100% of its own electricity. Their ink is vegetable ink, not petroleum products and there is not dust jacket (to save paper and energy). Yes, they really have gone the whole way, and guess what! - it's actually a really good book too. Has pretty much everything you need to know about the environment, is up to date and also filled with wonderful photography.