The Imperfect Environmentalist: A Practical Guide to Clearing Your Body, Detoxing Your Home, and Saving the Earth

by Sara Gilbert

Actress, producer, mother, and imperfect environmentalist, Sara Gilbert understands how helping the environment can seem overwhelming. Between keeping up with work, friends, and kids, who has the time or money to maintain a compost pile, become an activist, or knit a sweater out of recycled grocery bags? Fortunately, we now know that small changes here and there in our everyday lives can make a big impact on the environment. We just need to know where to begin. That’s where Gilbert comes in, with this tongue-in-cheek reference guide packed full of helpful information, available at your fingertips. Read it cover to cover or just open it up to a random page; you can take what you want from it when you want. Whether you’ve got money to burn or have to crash on a friend’s couch, here are all of the eco-essentials to get the planet back on track, and you won’t have to hug a single tree—unless tree-hugging is your thing.
 
Sharing the basics on health and beauty, work and money, home and gardening, family and fitness, and more, The Imperfect Environmentalist cuts through the clutter—both in our homes and in our heads—and offers simple approaches to help us clear out the pollutants, put down the poisons, and begin to breathe easy again—one 100% recycled page at a time.

Advance praise for The Imperfect Environmentalist
 
“This book really opened my eyes. Then my eyes started stinging and tearing from all the toxins in the environment I’m now aware of. Thanks, Sara, I have a lot to do now.”—Lisa Kudrow
 
“Sara’s passion and commitment to the environment have given me an awareness that I never had before about our planet. I learn from Sara every day and she makes me want to be a better person. See, you can teach an old dog new tricks.”—Sharon Osbourne

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Sustainability, Health, Self Help, Reference, Green

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the idea of this book, and how the sections are laid out, but I can't finish it or give it a higher rating because there are no citations! That drives me crazy and really undermine's the author's credibility. Talking about studies without citing them is worthless. Some sections were better than others, and some really felt like they didn't belong (attachment parenting and tai chi?), while others were vague and confusing (macrobiotics?).

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Sara Gilbert. Enough said... And yeah, you'll probably end up reading it in Darlene's voice. Bonus points. Super Informative!

[Aims · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty decent approach to going green. Some parts were super informative, and some parts were a rehash. Overall, a nice reference guide

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an eye opener for things I probably should have already realized. I thought I was in huge trouble when the very first chapter not only made me want a water filter, but somehow lead me on a Google search trail that ended with all my tupperware and plastic dishes being replaced with glass. I was like "uh oh, this is about to be a really expensive library book!" some chapters were over the top for me and some stuff did not apply. There are a few areas I could feel smug about but many more that inspired some change. Overall it is overwhelming to try to change everything but I think I can make some real headway in the area of cleaning with more environmentally friendly cleaners and avoiding plastics as much as possible. Overall I thought it was a very approachable book to trying to clean up the environment by making personal choices at home.

[Logan Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kind of hate to leave a two-star review here, because there was some interesting info in the book. But there are two pretty big downsides that I can't ignore.

The first is that there are no citations for the numerous proof points that she gives. Given that I ran across a few things I am more well-informed on, and disagree with her about, I'm suspicious that there's more to the story on some of these other things I'm less informed on. I don't doubt her sincerity, I just want to be able to research these claims myself (and citations in non-fiction books like this ought to be standard - it's a pretty significant oversight in my opinion).

The second is just a matter of realism and prioritization - there are some real, practical things here but much of it is out of the reach of anyone without a pretty decent chunk of disposable income. I would love to install solar panels, rainwater barrels, and switch to bamboo floors and grow all my own produce, but I also have student debt and a mortgage. And while there are certain incremental steps in each category, some aren't as realistic imo as she seems to think, and there's no "if I want to just pick three things, where should I start?"

But on the positive side, the tone is (mostly) nonjudgmental, and information-based. The housing is very good and gave me some long-term goals for once we're in a better position to implement some of these things.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really informative. It's set up like a Cliff's Notes manual for being environmentally conscious, and each page addresses a topic, and has subheaders that break it into basics, more informative, and specifics. I recommend it to anyone who feels overwhelmed with all there is to be green.

I love the headings for these.
1. Cut to the Chase, Hippie: What's the Least I Need to Know?
2. Intriguing...I Can Handle a Little More
3. I Need Some Facts to Bore My Friends With

I love the clarity in this book.

[shartyrant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't regret reading this book, but I am torn on between a 2 or 3 star review. It is sort of in the middle really at 2 and 1/2. I am always researching into various ways of helping or restoring the environment as well as living in a way that is safer and healthier. And glancing through it at the bookstore it seemed a pretty quick and easy introduction to doing all that without "losing my mind" as the author put it on trying to keep up with it all.

It might be a good intro to an EXTREMELY new person to the subject. It is written in a very friendly format and can be amusing at times. However, there is no real citations for any of the research she is quoting or using to support her advise. I did like how it was broken down and laid out where she would give an idea, go a bit more into depth and then a bit more to share with say others in conversation. But again, no real support of research other than maybe common sense for some topics. In other areas the details in the explanation was very spotty or tiny. She seems to attempt to brush over this by using humor or other tidbits regarding non-related items, but it is pretty jarring. I did like how she would give some advice on how to handle incorporating some of her ideas and advice by going through three stages of "being rich or donald trump" or then middle where you have your own home, but credit card debit or the extreme of low income where you are couch surfing and living on ramen noodles" . However, not all of them are realistic or actually helpful to various levels of income. And again, not many alternatives given for those of lesser income which I always find flawed as to make things like this work for the world, then it cannot be just ideas and rules that work for the higher income who have the time and resources. It will take ideas that ALL can do easily to make a change work. But I give her props for trying as that is better than most of us do.

Not a bad book, but again, if you are already involved either in the green "movement" or "trying to stay healthy and green" or whatever you want to call it, then it is nothing really new or gives you ideas or resources beyond what can be found online. For me, it wasn't worth the cover price, but borrowing from the library or getting it half price or trade might be worthy. I'll be trading it back to the used bookstore for someone else to use.

[Jude Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Gilbert does an excellent job of breaking it down; what you can do to be Green in Body,Home, and Mind, and Save the Earth! She does it with finesse and sense of humor. Whether you are Donald Trump or sleeping on a friend's couch, the Imperfect Environmentalist guides you with all the practicals of passionately protecting your family and the environment.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation...even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine. -Great Law of the Iroquois-

The Imperfect Environmentalist is not a book I needed to read, I have been reading up on beneficial environmental and health data for years. So, this really was a “speaking to the choir” book for me. But, I do think it would greatly benefit anyone new to leading a less toxic life or someone always looking for ways to improve. I felt the book was formatted well and in such a way as to help reduce the anxiety of someone coming to all of this information anew. All of the chemicals and impacts on the environment you learn about can weigh you down and make you not know where to start. I think Gilbert's choice to put it in sections that you could work on a little bit at a time was a good decision. Since I am well-versed I read it straight through and even I felt a bit overwhelmed at times.

After some thought I would have to agree with some reviewers in that there needed to be at least some citations. I also felt as though Gilbert was often giving us "problems" with limited or no solutions. If I had been a novice going into this book I believe I would have difficulty knowing where to start and ideas as to what cleaning products and toiletries to buy would have gone a long way. (There were very limited mentions when there were mentions.) I cannot recall if Gilbert mentioned using the Environmental Working Group's website but you really should! Also, telling us all of the killer chemicals in furniture and then not telling us where to specifically buy furniture seems problematic to me. (Advice: if you look for CA regulation labels on furniture you can at least avoid formaldehyde. Also, IKEA has a number of good regulations when it comes to furniture chemicals, unfortunately furniture sold in the US cannot entirely be fire retardant free due to US regulations.) There were, however, a number of interesting, if not always helpful, links throughout and generally good advice with some humor thrown in. I also appreciated the vegan mentions, being a vegan myself.

This is definitely worth the read for someone new to greening/detoxifying and I would recommend it but be prepared to do further research.

The following are some of the more important or striking statistics included in the book that I wished to share:

•Grease-proof paper from fast-food restaurants break down into PFCAs: carcinogens that build up and remain in the body.

•Methane emissions from livestock accounts for some 14 to 30 percent of methane gas emissions worldwide. Some experts estimate that one cow burping and farting all day creates as much pollution as your average car. (Cows were not meant to eat much of their current diet, such as corn, causing greater amounts of gas.)

•Nursing mothers who drink cow's milk can have their own breast coagulate, potentially clogging the milk duct. (NOT normal)

•Soy allergies increased by 50 percent in the UK after GM soy was introduced.

•Coffee, the 2nd most traded commodity in the world, contributing significantly to the 23 billion disposable cups used a year in the US.

•US alcohol manufacturers release an equivalent of 1.9 million households' emissions simply on shipping.

•EPA considers a material harmful if it contains more than 1 percent absestos.

•Carter solar panels on White House were removed by Reagan and not are housed in a science museum in China.

•PBDEs (flame retardants) banned in 2005 but furniture prior to that contains the chemicals and can remain in your system for more than 12 years. Replacements not much better: Chlorinated Tris known to mutate DNA of those exposed and Firemaster 550 is an endocrine disruptor.

•Particleboard almost always loaded with formaldehyde, a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. (Check on packages indicating adherence to CA law forbidding formaldehyde.)

•Zero-VOC paints can still contain 5% formaldehyde. Low-VOC can contain fungicides and biocides.

•90% of US homes use some form of caustic bug-killer. Side effects: liver and central nervous system damage and increased cancer risk.

•Studies: American kids regularly display small amounts of unprescribed antibiotics and lithium in their blood.

•Most brands of carpet/upholstery cleaners contain perchlorethylene, a carcinogen.

•125 million trees harvest for books, magazines, newspapers etc. a year.

•US cats and dogs produce 10 million tons of waste a year. (You can compost their poop! Look into it.)

•If all personal computers in the US used Energy Star regulations, it would equate to removing 2 million cars from the road.

•70 million cell phones are reported lost each year in the US---WTF?

•5 percent of the world's population produces 40 percent of the world's waste. (Obviously the US)

•Recycling one aluminum can saves the equivalent of 3 hours of energy for the tv.

•Only #1, #2 and #4 plastics are guaranteed BPA-free.

•Antimony, used to make white fireworks, can cause damage tot he lungs, heart, and stomach. Barium, for green explosions, is terrible for your internal organs. And perchlorates, which help fireworks burn, are linked to thyroid problems.

•Over 90 million pounds of herbicides are applied to American lawns and gardens a year. Of 30 common pesticides used on lawn: 19 lined to cancer, 13 to birth defects, 21 to reproductive issues, 15 to neurotoxicity, 26 with liver or kidney damage and 11 have the potential to disrupt the hormones.

•Estimated: 50 percent of lifetime pesticide use occurs in first 5 years of life.

•61 percent of lipsticks found to contain lead. There is no safe level for lead exposure.

•Hair dye can cause allergic reactions, asthma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in clients and hairdressers.

•EWG tested 192 toothpastes and found a third contain ingredients posing cancer risk and 44 percent contain harmful impurities.

•Avoid foaming ingredients, they are inevitably nasty. One that is becoming more common: cocamidopropyl betaine, which is potentially carcinogenic. I note this because it is often in brands claiming to be safe and non-toxic etc.

•More than 1,000 cosmetic ingredients known to cause cancer and other issues are banned from use in the EU. Only 11 of these are banned in the US.

•10 percent of all pesticides and 25 percent of herbicides are used on cotton production worldwide.

•Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 7 thousand gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil and enough electricity to power an avg US home for 6 months.

•Denver, CO emits twice as much carbon dioxide as New York City!! WTF!

•Ethanol is 90% less toxic for air than gasoline.

•It is illegal in some states to run a vehicle on pure vegetable oil---you're required to pay motor fuel taxes. Bullshit system.

•Motorcycles produce about 16 times more carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitric oxide than the average car. This is due to them extracting more energy from fuel (the high mpg rating of motorcycles).

•One transatlantic round-trip flight contributes to global warming as much as driving a medium-size car 15,000 miles a year.

•Girls go through puberty 5 years earlier than they did 100 years ago.

•A study commissioned by the EWG found more than 200 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of every newborn they tested.

•Production of cow's milk potentially responsible for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

•Average child uses 8,000 diapers before being potty trained.

•27.4 billion disposable diapers for thrown away/used a year. (82,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 trees' worth of wood pulp.)

•Disposable diapers weren't in use until 1960s. At least 80 percent of US families use disposable diapers.

•Most candles are made from petroleum by-products, such as paraffin. The fumes from burning these candles is the same as that from diesel engines.

•Average Manhattanite apartment dweller consumes gas at rates akin to those prior to WWI.

•More than 80,000 chemicals used in USA, only 400-1000 tested for safety.

•20 tons carbon and $20,000 are expended on the avg American wedding

•American wedding industry is worth $160 billion.

•In ONE factory in Xiamen, CHina has seamstresses who live 8 to a room turning out 100,000 wedding dresses a year. Dress cost $1,025.....seamstresses paid: $6 a day

[Christian Nícolas Pascua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows the micro-economic (personal) actions we can do to help detoxify our lives, clear our environment from toxins that can harm us, and help save the Earth in the process.

This is a great book to read if you want very specific action items towards facets of your life. For example, I never knew about the toxic chemicals that come from non-stick cooking pans. This has changed my life and we are now transitioning towards stainless steel cookware.

The book tries to provide references to the research and action items it has. I encourage readers of this book to continue their research outside of this book. Treat the book as a to-do list - where you can research more about the topic (like the PFAS in the cookware) and explore more about that topic and how you can apply the action item to your personal life, daily routines, and life choices in the future.

[Savannah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a helpful introduction to many aspects of environmentalism and it gave me practical ways to implement better practices into my daily life. Just the right amount of information to peak your interest on topics that you wouldn’t usually read about. However, I had to deduct 2 stars due to the fact that there were no citations. Nothing to back up very specific claims/studies.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, the book felt different in my hands. The paper was a different quality than I was used to feeling. But then it dawned on me, it was made from recycled paper. It was clear right then that Sara Gilbert not only practiced what she preached, but also helped readers from her target audience make a painless shift towards helping the environment. And it made me think, I am a part of those who could be considered imperfect environmentalists too!

I liked how each topic was divided into task considerations, based on how much the reader could commit to a change, helping them to engage at different levels. And they were interesting and clever subtitles within each topic and funny enough to keep you reading.

Sara does not forget her target audience of parents because each topic is limited to a page, which is doable for any busy parent to take in within a time-crunched state. It also is a format that makes it very teachable to even very young kids because it can be a great introduction for them to listen to ideas about how they can make a difference and perhaps even spark a conversation about which choice is best for their family presently along with just the right amount if information that they can use it as a blueprint for goals of where they would like to be in the future as kids begin to be more independent themselves. Involving the younger generation in that way makes sense as they are the reasons we are reading this book and working on implementing the ideas.

The book just feels inclusive without being preachy. It is a remainder that we can all do something, even if it a small action, to make our environment better. The title itself is a great reminder that we should just do something, even if you are starting off small (because I know a lot of people who take this so seriously that they have a hard time just getting started). I might just leave this book on the nightstand in our guest room and let overnight visitors enjoy a page or the whole book--lots of small steps by lots of people will really add up and make a huge difference for our planet!

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way the book is broken into easily manageable sections about different parts of life and the further simplification of offering three levels of informational depth into a subject.

I think everyone wants to live in a less polluted world, but often the word environmentalist brings to mind someone who is condescending and inflexible about how environmentally conscience everyone should be. I'm glad to read a book that really is practical and more moderate in its approach.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure of the book is that of a reference how-to manual for detox and environmental friendly lifestyle. But that's OK. Gilbert's snarky humor carries the text whether you read it chronologically or skip straight away to specific info.

[JH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an awesome overview! She covers every topic I could think of, and each page starts with a super-brief summary labeled, "Cut to the chase, hippie: what's the least I need to know?" Only read further if you feel compelled to do so. Haha!

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

While most of the advice isn't bad, I cannot forgive all the statistics thrown out without any citation. At least one citation, please.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book. As someone who thinks of herself as being knowledgeable about environmental issues, I was schooled! I truly learned a lot from reading this book, and for that I want to thank Sara Gilbert. I think this book does what it was written to accomplish by giving an overall review of what we, as individuals, can do in our lives to leave the smallest carbon footprint, without overwhelming the reader. Each environmental topic/issue was divided into sections, the first of which gives a basic overview that any of us can understand, the second section giving a more detailed (yet understandable) description, and the final section going into the most detail of all. Ms. Gilbert then proceeds to talk about what we can do to help the issue, ranging from the outrageous and most expensive of things, to the simplest and most affordable of things. The point of the book, really, is that anyone can help contribute to a healthier environment, no matter our expertise or financial situation. We can all make a difference, without getting overwhelmed. I think this makes for a great reference book and that is why it will find a permanent place on my book shelves. I gave it 3 stars, not 4 or 5, because I liked it. I didn't LOVE it. And a 5-star rating, for me, is reserved for my most favorite of books, and this is not one of them. What kept me from giving it a 4-star rating is how she addressed the issue of animals in the environment. While she states that she is a Vegan and drops subtle hints about this in various areas of the book, it wasn't enough for me. As a Vegan myself, I wanted to read an absolute "no" when it comes to consuming animals and using them for other products (wool, for example). Instead, she recommended it, but was a little wishy-washy about it and would offers options of eating fish, etc. I get it. Her goal was to try and "recruit", rather than discourage, people to make changes in their lives to better the environment. Even little changes make a big difference. I get it. I can't fault her for how she addressed the topic of eating animals. It went along with the flow of her book, to encourage the reader to do what they can, however small, to make a change. But, for me, eating animals is killing animals and animals are part of the environment. We need to take care of them, too, if we want a better, healthier, more humane world. So, for me, I had a hard time wrapping my head around her somewhat "grayness" when it came to Veganism. Other than that, I would highly recommend this book. I've already begun to make changes in my life and I look at things differently, now that I know how what we do and what we use can greatly impact our environment. It definitely opened up my eyes. I would highly recommend everyone read this book.

[Janet Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I've always been green at heart - at the office I worked in the 1980s, I introduced a policy where paperwork that would normally be thrown out (this was before fine paper recycling) would be reused instead of buying message pads and such. I still do this and of course I do a lot more than that now, but I'm becoming increasingly aware that we all need to do more, much more. It can all get pretty stressful, so when I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to read it.

I'm a fan of Sara Gilbert, and her personality shines through in her writing.

There are chapters covering different aspects of life from childbirth to funerals and everything in between. For each one, she outlines the bare minimum we should be doing in addition to the absolute ideal, and it's very readable and digestible. I was comforted to realize how many things I am doing right, and got some ideas for other areas to work on.

However, by the time I reached the end of the book, I was feeling very hopeless, because we've been abusing this planet for so long and in so many ways that I can't see us turning things around enough to preserve it for future generations. Maybe that's why she suggests NOT reading it cover to cover (as I did) but using it as a reference book.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

And not a single citation was issued. How did this book make it to publication without anyone saying anything? As someone who got a degree in environmental studies, and who keeps up with current research, some of her claims I very much disagreed with and would have loved to see some evidence but none was provided. This is a book about opinions that could be completely under researched or come from a random blog on the internet. I’m concerned that people will read this and think it’s researched and educated, but it clearly isn’t.

Also, some of the sections don’t make sense. I get what they were going for, but it didn’t come together. The tone was going for playful, but came across as dismissive. It’s gonna be a no for me, but props for trying! And props for getting people to think about these issues.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some helpful real world advice in here, and I like Gilbert's self-effacing tone. However, I would have liked more realistic day-to-day green hacks and fewer lists of the many toxins in our world. Lists of horrors make things feel hopeless and overwhelming. I also feel like Gilbert is a little out of touch with the options available for people who are functioning on a budget. Many of the suggestions offered are pricey and/or time intensive. That said, I'm glad the book exists, as it is a good starting point for some real self-examination.

[Amber Heckelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like that the content is structured to make the book feel like a resource that one can return to over and over again while actively transitioning to a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle. It's also a very easy, fun, and informative read. My only qualm is that there is a reoccurring subheading titled "I'm Donald Trump" that is used to refer to folks with more money and greater resources. Since the book was published in 2013, it predates the horrible reality that reflects the 45th presidency. I'm sure Sara would not choose such an inaccurate and annoying subheading today.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very motivating to find and make more Earth-friendly decisions. Provides great resources and ideas. I appreciate her realistic views on eco-friendly living and her sense of humor! We are already very environmentally conscious in our home, but the way she explains more complicated concepts makes you feel like you can grasp the main idea and push forward from there. Time to go research solar panels...

[C Pure · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed by this book. I get everyone can’t be perfect and have their own “green agendas,” but it would be great if we could get citations on all these “research has show...” points. Reading this in 2020 some of the tips or green facts are dated. I do appreciate that she took the time to list ways people of all economic backgrounds could make a difference.

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mainly skimmed through this book. I did not like the tone of this book at all. Like someone trying to sound cool and hip. I am skeptical if the author herself follows half of the stuff written in this book.

[KT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things were useful, some were common sense, some were super dated. Negative stars for a meh-vax stance. Guess what's also bad for the environment--an outbreak of measles and mass hospitalizations.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a 2.5. There's plenty of "xyz is bad because of abc" and not enough "here's what you can do instead." Also, a lot of "studies show" but no citations. I would go with Kellogg's "101 Ways to Go Zero Waste" instead.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 2 out of 5]

4 page Intro by author. This book is the typical celebrity activist preaching her religion:Feminism/Environmentalism with 10 chapters on green everything from food (Vegan is best natch) to home, health, fashion, even funerals! Most of this stuff lots of people already know. Index.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Didn't like the structure of the book

[Elisa Cafferata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could be practical if you were interested in making an actual difference in your home and your life.

[Amy Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes you think. I would like to try some of her ideas. I am in no way green. She makes it doable.