A useful, practical guide to things you can do on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, as a renter and apartment dweller, who lives in Manhattan and therefore doesn't keep a car, a lot of these tips didn't really apply for me. And they're mostly common sense. But still, a great reference to have! ( )

the new 2008 updated version.

This book outlines 51 ways that you can help the planet, in as many chapters. Each chapter gives an overview of the issue or solution; offers tips; has a list of ways you can help on the issue, ranging from simple to drastic; a chart of the numbers involved; and ways to search for more info. The book is divided into sections, and within these sections each chapter offers one of the solutions. It is easy to search, and easy to read.
The changes it offers are well known to those who are interested in the environmental movement, but it does offer more in depth changes for those wanting a challenge. Overall, a very good book to have, and a good gift for someone who is interested in knowing and doing more. ( )

Choose your level of commitment

Rather than trying to explain all the science behind global warming or politics behind the Kyoto Protocol, the authors present simple, clear, and easy-to-implement suggestions on how the average consumer can make significant reductions in his impact on the environment. Even for those who think global warming is “junk science,” this book provides tips on how to lower gas and electric bills-and how can that be a bad thing? I just got my first full electric, water, and gas bills since I started implementing some of the tips in this book-gas and water went down $20 and $15 each and electric went down $35! So, in one month, not doing any of the suggestions that cost money, I saved $70. Not a bad return on my investment.

You can Prevent Global Warming provides 51 tips for lowering carbon emissions and conserving energy. Almost every tip presented is completely free and every tip saves money. Many of the suggestions are not new-putting a milk jug full of water into the toilet tank to reduce the flow of water, lowering the thermostat just a bit-however, the authors also include exactly how much money and energy it saves by doing something simple. They also provide tips for people with varying levels of commitment. Already doing the toilet tank thing? They give you links to reviews of low-flow toilets. Is that still not enough for you? They explain composting toilets!

There were a few features I particularly enjoyed and appreciated with this book. First, I liked the list at the end of the book that placed each suggestion in an easy-to-follow format of which tips to do first and how often. I also really liked the useful links included. Rather than actually getting bogged down in science and mechanics, they provide web links to howstuffworks.com and other useful sites. A major barrier in me doing some of the suggestions before (like vacuuming heater and fridge coils) is that I had no idea how to do these things and was (frankly) too lazy to look it up. The authors provide a link with pictures on how to do these things. Some of the links also take you to sites on how to contact Congress if an issue is important to you if the way you want to lower man’s impact on nature is to become politically involved.

I was walking around my house implementing many of these suggestions as I was reading because of how simple they are. The authors never take a strong-armed tone, never guilt you into trying something they suggest. Every suggestion felt like they were saying "Good for you for doing so much! Want to try more? Keep reading!"

I strongly recommend this book to any home-owner (though it also has awesome suggestions for renters!). I have a number of family members who are always trying to be as green as possible without seriously changing their lifestyles, a few who cringe (or cuss) at the very mention of Al Gore but who are still committed to the Biblical mandate to be stewards of the Earth, and a few who are trying to do more and more-and they are all on the receiving list for this book. ( )

I recieved this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. There are actually a lot more than 51 ways, as the title says - each of the 51 chapters contains lots of great ideas. I found the Home Heating and Cooling section especially interesting. It's great to read about things we're already doing (whew!) but I also got loads of great ideas. I've told my husband he's getting a list. As a homeowner, this will be a great resource for us when purchasing appliances or learning how to make the ones we own work more efficiently. ( )