Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An invaluable resource for everyday choices, 10 Jun 1999
By A Customer
Most people are willing to modestly alter their behavior on behalf of the environment. Many of us recycle, ride public transportation and try to conserve energy. What's not clear though, is how effective these and other measures are. What daily activity of ours is most damaging to the Earth? Is it driving, wasting water, or discarding paper napkins? Do we do greater harm by using disposable diapers than by eating red meat? The merits of many conservation efforts have been hotly debated, often with inconclusive results. The ensuing uncertainty has in some cases stalled public (and governmental) endorsement of otherwise sound environmental practices and diffused our will to act. On the pages of their concise handbook Brower and Leon rid the air of much of this uncertainty. In a clear and dispassionate analysis they lay down the hard numbers that tell the truth: transportation, food production and household operations account for the great majority of environmental destruction at the hands of consumers. They emphasize, however, that between and within these broad categories there are great disparities. This makes consumer choice paramount. Just how we choose to live our lives matters a great deal to the Earth. The authors identify the most significant environmental problems affected by consumer spending. "Alas," they note, "many of the things that cause most damage are pretty fundamental to the American middle class way of life." Radical change is not likely or in some instances even possible. Yet despite the trade-offs we face the authors show how responsible consumption is possible without drastic measures. In most cases their simple recommendations benefit the environment and our wallets. By focusing on those few activities that are most damaging Brower and Leon show us how we can reduce our impact without unnecessary anxiety. Those seeking to go beyond personal change will find sound advice for promoting green technology and gently persuading friends and local institutions to assess their own consumer choices. A final chapter recognizes the fact that without the help of government our impact is limited. As the biggest polluter, the largest land owner, the greatest consumer, and the maker of laws government's choices carry the most weight. The authors describe four key government strategies to diminish its environmental burden that merit our support. Apart from providing interesting reading, this consumer guide has proven an invaluable reference that I consult weekly as I learn the ultimate consequences of how I spend my money. I highly recommend it.
|
|
|
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good for some, but not for others, 16 Aug 1999
By A Customer
Do not bother with this book if you already know the basics of environmental care: eat an organic vegan diet, stop driving unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary, don't waste electricity or any other energy source, & don't overconsume.If, however, you aren't yet clear on the facts about the environmental impact of food, transportation, housing, and resource use, then PLEASE get this book & awaken yourself to the truth.
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good, practical resource for sound environmental choices., 20 May 1999
By A Customer
This is a book about choices. Many people are convinced that they should live in ways that are less harmful to our earth-home, but the task of deciding how to do that can be overwhelming. In this book Michael Brower and Warren Leon help us to focus our efforts. They identify a relatively small number of choices about how we choose to live, that control most of the impact we have as individuals on this planet.Of course, this does not make the choices easier - although it is encouraging to learn that some of our choices have relatively little impact. But it does help us focus, so that we understand where to spend the time and effort necessary to come to sound environmental decisions.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
