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	Superbia! is a book that is more tailored towards your community and the direct environment that you live in. Great for planners or neighborhood leaders - it goes through 31 suggestions for how to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood. So, while not strictly a "green" book, it does address the living concerns of how we can all work together to form tighter communities, which as we all know fosters a greater sense of place, take care of your neighbors and they will take care of you. The suggestions are based upon small suburban life as it was experienced decades ago and how starting neighborhood associations and can contribute to less waste, better security, greener living conditions and save money. It's a fun read that's definitely not too dense and pretty specific on direct actions that can be taken.



	In Natural Capitalism, three top strategists show how leading-edge companies are practicing "a new type of industrialism" that is more efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs. Paul Hawken and Amory and Hunter Lovins write that in the next century, cars will get 200 miles per gallon without compromising safety and power, manufacturers will relentlessly recycle their products, and the world's standard of living will jump without further damaging natural resources. "Is this the vision of a utopia? In fact, the changes described here could come about in the decades to come as the result of economic and technological trends already in place," the authors write. They call their approach natural capitalism because it's based on the principle that business can be good for the environment. For instance, Interface of Atlanta doubled revenues and employment and tripled profits by creating an environmentally friendly system of recycling floor coverings for businesses. The authors also describe how the next generation of cars is closer than we might think. Manufacturers are already perfecting vehicles that are ultralight, aerodynamic, and fueled by hybrid gas-electric systems. If natural capitalism continues to blossom, so much money and resources will be saved that societies will be able to focus on issues such as housing, contend Hawken, author of a book and PBS series called Growing a Business, and the Lovinses, who cofounded and directed the Rocky Mountain Institute, an environmental think tank. The book is a fascinating and provocative read for public-policy makers, as well as environmentalists and capitalists alike. --Dan Ring --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



	Most of the world's population now lives in cities. So if we are to address the problems of environmental deterioration and peak oil adequately, the city has to be a major focus of attention. EcoCities is about re-building cities and towns based on ecological principles for the long term sustainability, cultural vitality and health of the Earth's biosphere. Unique in the literature is the book's insight that the form of the city really matters - and that it is within our ability to change it, and crucial that we do. Further, that the ecocity within its bioregion is comprehensible and do-able, and can produce a healthy and potentially happy future. EcoCities describes the place of the city in evolution, nature and history. It pays special attention to the key question of accessibility and transportation, and outlines design principles for the ecocity. The reader is encouraged to plunge in to its economics and politics: the kinds of businesses, planning and leadership required. The book then outlines the tools by which a gradual transition to the ecocity could be accomplished. Throughout, this new edition is generously illustrated with the author's own inspired visions of what such rebuilt cities might actually look like.



	Green building is the fastest-growing trend to hit since the Internet, bringing with it an enormous range of new products, systems and technologies. Green Building A to Z is an informative, technically accurate and highly visual guide to green building, for both decision-makers and interested citizens. It begins with an introduction to the importance of green buildings and a brief history of the green building movement, outlines the benefits and costs of green buildings, and shows how you can influence the spread of green buildings. The book touches on key issues, such as enhancing water conservation, reducing energy use and creating a conservation economy. Green Building A to Z examines all aspects of green buildings from: * Architecture 2030 to * Locally sourced materials to * Natural ventilation to * Solar energy to * Zero-net energy buildings More than just a reference, this book emphasizes the importance of green buildings and green developments for a sustainable future. It will be an invaluable resource for businesspeople, homeowners, product manufacturers, developers, building industry professionals and government officials.



	We could just continue to give you lists of books that will suggest changes to your home and your lifestyle that will help us all save the planet and ultimately save ourselves, but sometimes it’s also necessary to see where we’ve been, how we’ve come to the crossroads that we are at and the consequences of inaction. With all that in mind, one of the “great” environmental books that have come out in recent years is Jared Diamond’s Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed. Some of you may have read his Pulitzer Prize winning book Guns, Germs And Steel, well this is his next giant tome on human evolution and society – however, whereas Guns was more concerned with how we got here and why, Collapse is more concerned with where we’re going. As the title suggests the book is basically about how humans choose to either fail or succeed, failure meaning they die out (think the Mayans, the Anasazi, Easter Island, the Norse societies). Diamond uses a 5 point “score card” to evaluate the situations that different societies faced and how they reacted to them and what the outcome was – “environmental damage, climate change, rapid population growth, unstable trade partners and pressure from enemies”. By comparing past societies problems and the solutions, or the lack thereof, to our modern life today, Diamond addresses the problems that we face today and the possible consequences of not meeting our needs in each field, again, environmental, population, etc… He also does an excellent job of discussing the inter-relationship between the business and the environment – while taking a scientifically neutral stance he clearly is in the environmentalists camp. Suffice to say this is not a light book, it’s dense and time consuming, but it’s also thorough. We recommend it as an important study to understand what challenges we’re facing and what the consequences of inaction will more than likely be. Unfortunately, in the past many past human societies were relatively isolated or at least dependent on their neighboring territories, what affected one society, probably did not have an effect on another that was on the other side of the globe. Today in our “global village” all of our actions collectively affect the planet as a whole.



	This book is a little too general for those of us who live in Florida. There's lots of talk about how to orient your home to take advantage of the sun, straw bale building and clay finishes (maybe not the best choice for the tropics). However there are excellent sections on collecting rainwater, how to re-arrange your living space to take better advantage of what you've got, etc... But really our reason for recommending this book is that after you read it, you will start thinking about your living environment differently and seeing the possibilities for change that you can make. These are not pie-in-the-sky ideas but realistic improvements for your home and your environment. Well written, with great photos, real life case studies and excellent illustrations.



	The GreenSpec Guide to Green Building Products is the mother of all reference guides to almost everything you could need for your green renovation. It is truly the source bible for the new millenium and whether you're undertaking a modest upgrade to the home or building a shopping center from the ground up this is a great book to have on your shelf. The guide covers pretty much anything you can think of, want to know where to find plant fiber drywall substitute, did you even know there was a substitute? Which companies are making dual flush toilets? Recycled countertops? Lawn care? Bug Spray? The book is well organized by category - plumbing, electric, interior finishes, etc... and all with excellent sub-categories. At the beginning of each section there's a breif description of the salient choices you'll need to make when considering what's important to you and what the cost benefit analysis is. Just one of those all around great source guides that you can reference any time. Perfect addition to the bookshelf.