  |
|
|
|
Book Review of Green for Life by Gillian DeaconA Lifestyle Guide for Making Environmentally Friendly Changes
From buying organic cotton to giving away eco-friendly party favours, Green for Life will inspire people to find ways to minimize their impact on the environment.
Green for Life (Penguin Books, 2008) is not just an environmental philosophy; it is the title of Gillian Deacon’s guide for people who are looking to make ecologically and ethically motivated changes to their lives. As the subtitle suggests, 200 Simple Eco-Ideas for Every Day, this resource is full of money-saving tips, common sense alternatives and practical solutions for leaving a smaller ecological footprint. Well known for her television journalism on CBC’s The Gill Deacon Show and on Discovery Channel Canada, Deacon has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable living for the average person. As a regular contributor to numerous magazines and author of Green Tips, Deacon shares eco-ideas and creative solutions for living life in a healthier way. How to Live GreenWritten in a casual style, this “how-to” guide for lessening one’s impact on the earth’s resources covers everything from buying organic foods and fabrics to unclogging the toilet and driving the car. Filled with Canadian website resources and factual tidbits throughout, the 200 tips are divided into thirty chapters covering larger themes. A sample of chapter titles listed in the table of contents best illustrates the breadth of topics covered:
A Useful Green ReferenceEach tip is written as a stand alone idea, making Green for Life a handy reference for the environmentally conscious. It is a book that readers will want to share with others as they learn shocking information such as the modern woman uses more than 127 chemicals in her morning beauty routine. Deacon writes, “In case you’re thinking you will have to go without altogether and avoid hygiene in order to avoid dangerous chemicals, fear not. Lots of fabulous products are available to keep you fresh and glowing the natural way. And the best news is they work.” Further in this chapter titled How to Get Clean and Beautiful, she recommends beauty and hygiene products by name, often citing personal experience with them. Making Green ChoicesThe simple changes recommended by Deacon can be easily implemented into the average North American lifestyle. If nothing else, the book will make readers more aware of the damage their daily actions are making to the earth and people will be inspired to make changes in their lifestyle that are better for the environment. Although the no-nonsense, concise style of the book works well as a reference, this is the type of resource that people will read and wish Deacon had written more than 200 eco-ideas. Some of the websites are also duplicated in different chapters when one reads Green for Life cover to cover, but as each chapter can stand on its own, the repeating of some details is warranted. A must-read for anyone looking to make healthier and more environmentally focused changes in their life, Green for Life says it all on its front cover - Only $13.50 To Make A Better World. It’s a small price to pay for protecting the earth’s resources and lessoning one’s ecological footprint.
The copyright of the article Book Review of Green for Life by Gillian Deacon in Green/Simple Living is owned by Angela Krueger. Permission to republish Book Review of Green for Life by Gillian Deacon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
