It’s Easy Being Green
Book Review
Jan 3, 2007 Shirley Siluk Gregory
While essentially a nuts-and-bolts guide to tips and resources for greener living, Crissy Trask’s book, “It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living” (Gibbs Smith, 2006) also offers inspiration in the form of a delightful series of quotations splashed liberally throughout its pages.
For anyone who falls prey to despair that one person alone can’t make a difference and help save the environment, slow global warming or build a more sustainable society, these quotes serve as an energy boost and a gentle way of reminding readers that anything they do to live greener is better than nothing.
Take, for example, the words of Abraham Lincoln, gracing the pages of a section titled “Getting Involved”: “The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”
And that’s what Trask, owner of GreenMatters (http://www.greenmatters.com), an environmental education business, seeks to deliver throughout her book: a message of hope and encouragement driven by extensive suggestions on way to live greener, learn more about sustainable living and encourage others to do the same.
Outside of the inspirational quotes and lively, light-hearted illustrations at the start of each chapter, “It’s Easy Being Green” is more of an essential reference than an engaging read. The style carries more of an academic than a conversational tone, although Trask’s commitment to and passion for a greener way of life still comes through loud and clear. Her research is thorough, her tips for greener living are simple yet effective, and the resources she provides are wide-ranging and extensive.
In addition to the section on “Getting Involved,” a directory of activist and advocacy organizations, “It’s Easy Being Green” features chapters on “Green Living Myths,” “Making a Difference,” “Eco-Tips for Greener Living” (complete with checklists to track your progress and success), “Buying Green” (a valuable guide to reading labels effectively), “Green Shopping Online” and “Resources to Help the Earth.”
Trask readily acknowledges that, when assembling a print guide to Internet resources, some information will likely soon be out of date. However, again, the sheer volume of material she provides ensures this book will remain a valuable tool for a good time to come. For that reason, “It’s Easy Being Green” is sure to make a much-referred-to addition on any green-living-minded person’s home bookshelf.
For a sampling of tips from "It's Easy Being Green," see the sidebar article, "Green Tips from Crissy Trask."
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