Alan Thein Durning

Well written and concise book on simple policy fixes to affordable housing in "Cascadia", the US pacific northwest and coastal BC. Alan Durning of the sightline institute does a great job of making zoning and land-use policy readable. It is interesting to me that Victoria and Vancouver are further ahead on a number of these policy initiatives than Seattle/Portland, but we have a long way to go to make housing affordable at all levels.

The Consumer Society and the Future of the Earth.

Brilliant. Oh hell, that's not a review. This brief natural history of several daily items, is probably not even outdated. A worthy read, over 20 years later. I'm sure, unfortunately, that the energy intensive life cycle of each consumer itme, has not changed much.

A basic guide to the materials that make up your everyday "stuff." It includes descriptions of the manufacturing and natural resource extraction required to get the finished product to you. A quick and easy read on the topic. Something like the "State of the World" reports from the WorldWatch Institute are good for those seeking more detail.