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Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely
Paper or plastic? Organic or conventional? In a world that is rapidly going "green," how does the average person make decisions that are smart for the family—and good for the planet? The Green Guide is here to help, with the concepts and choices for Earth-conscious living. Presented in concise, information-packed chapters, this up-to-the-minute resource touches on every aspect of our lives, from grocery shopping to housecleaning to work, travel, and investing—enabling consumers to make informed decisions and simple changes that impact the planet in big ways. Easy-to-follow information and hundreds of fascinating sidebars, fact boxes, and other key elements recommend how you can replace unhealthy and environmentally damaging practices and products with more wholesome, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing alternatives. Neither scholarly nor scare-mongering in tone, the lively text has been written in partnership with a board of noted experts—offering readers the most authoritative, engaging, comprehensive, and in-depth reference of its kind.
Created by two of the strongest brands in conservation and the environment, and drawn from more than ten years of reputable coverage in The Green Guide newsletter, on-line and in print, this comprehensive resource is destined to become a must-have for millions of families and the first name in household reference books in this up-and-coming category.
Created by two of the strongest brands in conservation and the environment, and drawn from more than ten years of reputable coverage in The Green Guide newsletter, on-line and in print, this comprehensive resource is destined to become a must-have for millions of families and the first name in household reference books in this up-and-coming category.
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2008
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 11, 2022
Review originally published August 2008
Going green, it’s a term everyone has heard of. It’s everywhere, and it’s easier to do today then ever before. There is tons of information out there that can be useful, whether you have been green for years or just starting out.
National Geographic put out a great book, Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely. It touches on everything from food and clothes to cars and homes. You’ll find several side excerpts called "eco-tips" throughout the book.
For example, the top 12 fruits and vegetables that are most often contaminated by pesticides are: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach and potatoes. This list was put out by the Environmental Working Group, and it is suggested to buy these things organically grown whenever possible.
Each chapter ends with, "The Science Behind It," where it explains in detail about a topic discussed in that chapter. The transportation and travel chapter ends with the science behind hybrid electric vehicles, if you’ve ever wondered exactly how they work, this gives you your answer in great detail.
A lot of my interest in going green is finding a way to save money and to make our house as healthy as possible. Green Guide is a helpful resource to that end.
Find similar titles within our catalog.
Going green, it’s a term everyone has heard of. It’s everywhere, and it’s easier to do today then ever before. There is tons of information out there that can be useful, whether you have been green for years or just starting out.
National Geographic put out a great book, Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely. It touches on everything from food and clothes to cars and homes. You’ll find several side excerpts called "eco-tips" throughout the book.
For example, the top 12 fruits and vegetables that are most often contaminated by pesticides are: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach and potatoes. This list was put out by the Environmental Working Group, and it is suggested to buy these things organically grown whenever possible.
Each chapter ends with, "The Science Behind It," where it explains in detail about a topic discussed in that chapter. The transportation and travel chapter ends with the science behind hybrid electric vehicles, if you’ve ever wondered exactly how they work, this gives you your answer in great detail.
A lot of my interest in going green is finding a way to save money and to make our house as healthy as possible. Green Guide is a helpful resource to that end.
Find similar titles within our catalog.
January 26, 2009
I learned a lot from this book however I feel that it is almost impossible for a middle income family to live like this. Also its answer to everything is buy organic. Well that would be great if I could afford it. It also implies that should you not have enough money to buy organic food, clothing, diapers, cleaning supplies, furniture, health and beuaty products and a host of other products to clean you air, water, travel, home, etc. you will get cancer and die, you will give you children cancer and those kill them, and if that weren't enough you will give everyone on the planted cancer, killing them and the plant at the same time. You will personally help destroy the world.
Okay maybe a little extreme but it didn't give a lot of helpful hints on how to save the planet and your budget while being healthy.
If you want to see just how big a screw up you are and the ten million ways your killing yourself read the book. If you want helpful hints look else where.
Okay maybe a little extreme but it didn't give a lot of helpful hints on how to save the planet and your budget while being healthy.
If you want to see just how big a screw up you are and the ten million ways your killing yourself read the book. If you want helpful hints look else where.
June 4, 2009
This book really upset me because it made me feel like no matter what we do, we're hurting the planet. It felt very doom and gloom and it was very discouraging.
July 10, 2014
I enjoyed the Green Guide. Judging by the reviews people have bought or read it for the wrong reason. Right in the name it claims to be reference guide. There is lots of blame of it ponding "buy organic" into you. And I can see that when reading it through as opposed to an section when you need it, it will be repetitive. But I think the books purpose relies more on the mindset of "today I need a new couch" what should I look for? Or were having a baby "what should I watch out for".
It can be a book of paranoia but thats if you take every word as the last absolute word. It's obvious not everyone can afford to buy solid wood furniture made of only certified wood and dyed with earth friendly colours. Then go to bed and brush our teef with ingredients that don't contain the 12 most dirty chemicals in the bathroom. But at least you know what to look for if you ever do have that kind of money. Maybe you can find just one of those things. It's really not hard to ask The Brick guy if the have more locally made products. Maybe its not in your colour or style but I think thats more the point of this book.
Not to force us into making decisions that make us hate ourself or break the bank. But just to know and look. Sometimes we just need to be reminded to pay attention to our habits and keep improving. After reading this book the first thing I noticed is I used a ziplock bag everyday of the week for my lunch. It's minor but equals a lot of waste over time. I switched to a glass container. It was heavier and I was worried it would break in my lunch kit (it didn't), but I felt better after switching. Then I thought about all the water wasted washing it everyday trying to make excuses to do things the easy way. But upon inspection I wasn't filling my dishwasher enough to justify a wash most days of the week anyways. So I used a couple and swapped throughout the week.
Thats all that is intended to get you thinking about ways to use less, decrease transport, and find those specialty store now and again and rather then eat 4 chocolate bars, buy one expensive fair trade chocolate bare and manage to save some pounds and support good ethics. Anyone interested in feeling good about the choices they make will enjoy this book.
And to all the nay sayers I have one last point. There is plenty of talk about organic cotton shirts and dyes and ditching the polyester. However I still own and buy polyester shirts because they breath and sweat good for works and I like how they feel. And whats better? Seven organic cotton shirts you never wear or one shirt you where seven days times a week (lol of course I wash them). This book isn't absolutes just good suggestions and even purchasing it shows you are making a conscious effort to better yourself for the planet.
It can be a book of paranoia but thats if you take every word as the last absolute word. It's obvious not everyone can afford to buy solid wood furniture made of only certified wood and dyed with earth friendly colours. Then go to bed and brush our teef with ingredients that don't contain the 12 most dirty chemicals in the bathroom. But at least you know what to look for if you ever do have that kind of money. Maybe you can find just one of those things. It's really not hard to ask The Brick guy if the have more locally made products. Maybe its not in your colour or style but I think thats more the point of this book.
Not to force us into making decisions that make us hate ourself or break the bank. But just to know and look. Sometimes we just need to be reminded to pay attention to our habits and keep improving. After reading this book the first thing I noticed is I used a ziplock bag everyday of the week for my lunch. It's minor but equals a lot of waste over time. I switched to a glass container. It was heavier and I was worried it would break in my lunch kit (it didn't), but I felt better after switching. Then I thought about all the water wasted washing it everyday trying to make excuses to do things the easy way. But upon inspection I wasn't filling my dishwasher enough to justify a wash most days of the week anyways. So I used a couple and swapped throughout the week.
Thats all that is intended to get you thinking about ways to use less, decrease transport, and find those specialty store now and again and rather then eat 4 chocolate bars, buy one expensive fair trade chocolate bare and manage to save some pounds and support good ethics. Anyone interested in feeling good about the choices they make will enjoy this book.
And to all the nay sayers I have one last point. There is plenty of talk about organic cotton shirts and dyes and ditching the polyester. However I still own and buy polyester shirts because they breath and sweat good for works and I like how they feel. And whats better? Seven organic cotton shirts you never wear or one shirt you where seven days times a week (lol of course I wash them). This book isn't absolutes just good suggestions and even purchasing it shows you are making a conscious effort to better yourself for the planet.
April 25, 2010
Green Guide was originally started in 1994 by "Mothers and Others" with Meryl Streep being one of the cofounders. A website was added in 2002. In 2007, it was bought by National Geographic. The book suggests what you can do to live greener and why you should. Goes through categories such as eating, housekeeping, electronics, personal care products, clothing, healthy kids and babies, green homes, plants and gardens, pet care, school supplies and more. Some redundancy, but still a nice one stop book for considering how you can help make the world a better place through all of your decisions and purchases.
July 23, 2008
Some good info on plastics (health concerns, recycle-ability, etc.)
"Take Action" bullet points make it easy to skip the long-winded explanations.
No pictures.
"Take Action" bullet points make it easy to skip the long-winded explanations.
No pictures.
October 29, 2008
A good resource, but I think that there are more interesting ones out there.
March 16, 2009
I actually have the hard cover version but that's not coming up in the search.
February 14, 2009
If you are trying to be more green I would recomend reading this book before any others!
January 12, 2010
Not exactly a barn burner, but a good reference to everything green.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews