Review/Giveaway: Green, American Style

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Happy Earth Day week, folks!  Today we're heading off to church, and then Earth Day at the fairgrounds, and then the Wildlife Safari - it's gonna be fun!  But first, Mom's gotta do this book review and giveaway...

Title: Green, American Style:  Becoming Earth-Friendly and Reaping the Benefits
Author: Anna M. Clark
Genre: Christian Life/Earth Care

How to enter: Leave a comment! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.

Entry deadline: May 10, 2010

Restrictions: Open internationally.

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Publisher: Baker Books
Physical Description: 253-page paperback
List Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0801013348
For More Info/To Purchase:  http://savemoregreen.net/


Synopsis:

Green is not about giving up. It's about gaining more money, time, opportunity, health, and well-being. Green, American Style proposes a uniquely American perspective that takes into account your values, our country's democratic and capitalistic history, and our ingrained resistance to reining in. More than a list of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, this book explores the green movement from the diverse perspectives of business, faith, and lifestyle, showing you the economic, physical, and spiritual benefits of sustainable living.

About the Author:

Anna Clark is a mom of two preschoolers and president of EarthPeople, a global consulting firm helping clients with profitable green strategies. She began by asking herself the question, "Can one person really make a difference?" Today, she has an international base of clients implementing her ideas to improve the environment while making money in the "eco" economy.

And for Anna, going green starts at home, where she's drastically cut her family's utility bills; reduced grocery waste while eating healthier; discovered natural, non-toxic cleaning options; and found unexpected joy in activities as simple as helping her children plant trees and care for a garden. Anna's discovered that anyone can make a difference in caring for Creation, while saving money and keeping their family healthy--and she can't wait to show you how. Join her at savemoregreen.net to help lead the change.

What I Liked:  This was a very organized book - first presenting the case for green, and then providing lots of practical ideas.  Not surprising that they are practical, coming from the mom of preschoolers.

I appreciated the Christian perspective and the biblical mandate for caring for the earth. 


This is somewhat more moderate than most environmental books I've seen (though not quite as moderate as I'd wish)!  I've often felt that "environmentalists" have their priorities wrong - it seems world hunger and lack of clean water should rank higher on the list than they do.  So I did appreciate the author's inclusion of such issues.  (When kids are in dire need of clean water, I personally don't care what type of plastic the water bottle is made of, for instance, as long as they're getting the water!)

I also appreciated the emphasis on healthy living.  As a vegetarian myself for health reasons, I found lots of good health advice that also has an impact on the earth.


What I Didn't Like:  (Tongue in cheek here) - the "85 Ways to Save the Planet" label on the book started me off on the wrong foot.  God's the only one who's going to save the planet!

I'm all for being environmentally friendly, as long as it makes sense...  Somethings just rub me the wrong way, like the idea of driving 60mph.  Seriously, every car has its own fuel-efficient sweet point, so don't point fingers at me driving 80mph in my aerodynamically-designed American-made little car...  The recommendation should be to drive in your vehicle's ideal speed range, not to drive some specific speed!   There are a few other recommendations I could take issue with, as well.

Also - as the book title might suggest - this is very much targeted towards Americans.  This isn't a bad thing, just something to be aware of.  Personally, I think the third world is where the real education needs to be focused at this time.  It pains me to see forests being clear-cut with no reforestation happening, and to see litter clogging what should be pristine white beaches.

All that being said, I think this is a great book for getting some green ideas, as long as you approach the matter thoughtfully and logically.

Thanks to Save More Green blog tour for the review and giveaway copies of this book.