Bothered by My Green Conscience: How an SUV-driving, imported-strawberry-eating urban dweller can go green

by Franke James

"I just picked up Bothered by my Green Conscience by Franke James and read it cover to cover in one 20-minute sitting. It is a funny, moving, and inspiring read even though it deals with a topic that usually depresses the hell out of me; climate change. This might be just the ticket for those of us who have read so much about the science, the dire predictions, and the politics of climate change that we just can't stomach any more. Time for a little hope and humor on this issue. - Michelle Lalonde, Montreal Gazette "With her delightfully quirky style, Franke James has been chronicling her personal journey in going green through a series of illustrated online essays for some time now, and her latest book, Bothered By My Green Conscience, finally brings five essays together in one edition. In nurturing her green conscience, James artfully demonstrates that the process can be far from perfect, but her colourfully illustrated enthusiasm and verve is an infectious page-turner." - Kimberley D. Mok, Treehugger "Franke's visual essays have been spreading virally over the past few years on major blog sites like Kottke and Treehugger. Now they are gathered together in a book, Bothered by My Green Conscience, and I think it gives us a very good reason to still value having a bound and printed object we can share without peering into a screen. Franke's essays are illustrated guides to her process of changing internally and externally. The essays must be seen to be appreciated. Combining text, illustration and collage, they express the messiness of creativity and the beauty of action. This really is a book to give to your friends and family." - Martin Edic, Renaissance Magazine  You've changed all your light bulbs and switched to cloth bags at the grocery store.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Nobody really knows what life will throw at them. And how they’ll change as a result,” says Franke James, who is an activist, artist and author. She has a rare disability called Ataxia (since 2019). Franke has fought City Hall to build a green driveway (and won). Been blacklisted by the Canadian Government for her climate change art—and turned the government’s silencing into international news. Her latest book, Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me, is about choosing her sister’s freedom over her family. Franke helped her younger sister with Down syndrome get out of a nursing home. Then all hell broke loose. The two sisters had to stand together—against their siblings, the medical system, and the police—to defend the right to be free.

Franke and her husband, Billiam James, helped Teresa regain her decision-making rights and get a public apology from the Ontario Minister of Health. Midwest Book Review said, "The result is more than a memoir: it’s a testimony to how ‘tickets to freedom’ are gained through fighting and love."

The memoir has won eighteen book awards, including the Nonfiction Audiobook Award and the Social/Political Award in the 2024 NYC Big Book Awards, the Outstanding True Story Award in the IAN Book of the Year Awards 2024, and multiple awards in the Human Relations Indie Book Awards. The International Firebird Book Awards gave it the Judge's Pick prize and four awards for Social/Political Change, Special Needs, Leadership, and Inspiration.

In 2015, Franke won PEN Canada’s Ken Filkow Prize for her “tenacity in uncovering an abuse of power” and BCCLA’s Liberty Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2014.

For Franke, the diverse issues in her books, "Freeing Teresa," "Banned on the Hill," "Bothered by My Green Conscience," and "Dear Office-Politics" are all connected by the need to speak up and take action.

Franke lives in Vancouver, BC, with her husband and her sister, Teresa.

ADVANCE PRAISE for Freeing Teresa

“Gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring. This story will break your heart and then fill it up again.” Catherine McKercher, author of Shut Away

“A gripping story about courage, love, and an unshakeable belief in human potential.” Marty Seldman, Ph.D. author of Survival of the Savvy

"The result is more than a memoir: it's a testimony to how 'tickets to freedom' are gained through fighting and love, displaying how Teresa's own wishes and interests add fuel to the fire of empowerment on many different levels." D. DONOVAN, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"As an audiobook, Freeing Teresa ranks among the most unique in that it utilizes multiple narrators throughout. With a full cast of 13 actors, two of whom have Down Syndrome, this audiobook offers listeners an authentic experience... James’ cast of actors helps emphasize some of the most harrowing times in the family’s life, breathing life into a story much less impactful with a single narrator." LITERARY TITAN

“A courageous, personal account of fighting the system—and family—to free Teresa from forced care.” Alanna Hendren, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Assoc.

“Franke James is among the tiny handful of really powerful and profound artists who have taken on climate change... Her work is incredibly important for many of us around the world.” ~ Bill McKibben, Founder, 350.org.

Franke James four books are Freeing Teresa (2023-2024), Banned on the Hill (2013), Bothered By My Green Conscience (2009), and Dear Office-Politics (2009). Banned on the Hill won Gold at the 2014 IPPY Awards, Independent Book Publishers Awards, and the Silver Award, Foreword Reviews’ IndieFab 2013 Book of the Year Award.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid story of a layperson's struggle, and largely success, to become a better environmental citizen on the planet. I really appreciated that James honestly expressed the difficulties and concerns involved in learning about environmental problems and in taking actions to make a positive difference. I also really appreciated her first-person perspective and how she avoided being too facile or too preachy along the way.

Finally, the quirky, whimsical but somehow still serious art added to the personality and personal touch of the book as well as to the reading experience.

I have been working and volunteering in the environmental sector for about 25 years and even still I was feeling the feels while reading this book. I will look other work by this author.

[Stony Sphinx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute design, quick read - Franke gives unabashed voice to the consuming fears of hyper-aware consumers. How green is too green? Never, but the good news is that we don't need to indulge the guilty feelings hovering whenever we make an "easy" decision over a "green" decision. There are plenty of easy things to do in your every day life that make a big difference without worrying that you're contributing to the waste problem by buying a plastic toothbrush over a bamboo one. A bit thought-provoking and humorous.

*StonySphinx*

[Matt Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of graphic essays that deal with an everyday person’s environmentalist journey, including her own public battle to replace her North York driveway with a garden. A light and inspirational read.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My top takeaway: "Do the hardest thing first." Franke James is an artist, an urban dweller and a voice of strength and conviction in Canada on all things green and the impact of the changing environment on our lives and our children's future. What's the hardest thing she and her husband *my cousin* did to match their beliefs to their actions? They went car-free. As in no car. To all my friends reading in NYC, maybe not so hard to imagine not having a car -- but altho Franke lives in a city with great public transpo, I have to say that even as someone who grew up taking the TTC everywhere, as an adult, I can't even imagine not having a car. But this is not a Debbie Downer book -- it's a book filled with compelling graphics and words that resonate. It invites you to reconsider, re-examine and explore the impact of your decisions on the world you live in.

[F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franke James' book is an excellent read for those who do not much about being green. There are some simple ideas and thoughts to help one get motivated on becoming green. Franke also shows that it usually takes experiences to decide how to best combine your lifestyle along with having a green conscience. The pictures are colorful and an enjoyment to look at it. I finished this book in one sitting.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important reminder that even little changes make a difference. Great format - a combination of drawings, photos and hand-scrawled words.

[Peter Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific little graphic essays with something to say about green living, the environment, censorship; told with lively humour.