| The purpose of the book is to provide you | | | | of how the cosmetics and personal care items are |
| strategies to improve your surroundings, protect | | | | packaged; what ingredients are in the products and |
| your health, ways to save money and strategies to | | | | the negative effects; how to determine if the |
| positively make a difference for the health and well | | | | products contain animal products and where they are |
| being of our planet. The author begins with the | | | | tested on animals; lists possible long term effects of |
| simple question of: What are the cost and benefits | | | | the products and discusses the basic claims to |
| to me and the environment of this action? The intent | | | | "natural" or "organic". |
| is to have the reader focus on how simple and | | | | The author follows this chapter with a focus on your |
| effective changes can help oneself while ensuring the | | | | garden. This section discusses and provide suggestion |
| health of our plant. | | | | on how to start your own garden, the benefits to |
| Your war on waste is the third chapter. The author | | | | you and your family. A website is listed for the |
| presents the three "R's": reduce, re-use and re-cycle | | | | reader to find additional information to encourage and |
| used items. These are the most important rules to | | | | motivate you to begin a garden. The author |
| follow when making an effort to reduce your carbon | | | | recommends you start with what makes you feel |
| foot print on our plants. There are strategies to | | | | comfortable and expanded the garden as you acquire |
| implement for home, work and in your personal | | | | more confidence and information. |
| space in the community. The author looks at books, | | | | Chapter ten focuses on transportation strategies to |
| magazines, toys, paper products and clothing and | | | | cut cost, increase efficiency and how fuel |
| provides websites for additional information on where | | | | consumption is impacting the plant. The author list the |
| and how to recycle. | | | | eight steps to minimizing fuel consumption which no |
| In chapter four the author assist you in developing a | | | | automobile owner should be without. There is |
| process to audit your home to ensure it is free of | | | | information on how to help your car's fuel |
| fiber glass, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. | | | | consumption when going up hill; where to take your |
| There is information on how these materials can | | | | oil for recycling; alternative fuel sources; and other |
| effect your health as well as our plant. | | | | helpful hints. |
| The next section is dedicated to lighting; the good, | | | | The next chapter looks at the "water wars". The |
| bad and ugly. There is important information regarding | | | | author points out the importance of water for the |
| switching from traditional incandescent light globes to | | | | human body ; how drinking other liquids negatively |
| alternative light sources. The author lists | | | | impact the human body; suggestion on how to cut |
| governmental recommendations and possible dead | | | | down on water consumption and still meet the body's |
| lines for the switch. There is a website listed which | | | | need; strategies to use water more wisely; and the |
| provides additional information on the efficiency, | | | | hidden costs of bottled water. The author discusses |
| explanation and advantages of switching Compact | | | | how to install a system to re-use grey water from |
| Fluorescent Lights (CFL's). Along with advantages the | | | | you laundry, shower, bath and kitchen in your garden. |
| author also lists some of the drawbacks to CFL's. | | | | Chapter twelve focuses on sustainable choices you |
| The next chapter focuses on appliances. The author | | | | can implement at work. There are suggestion on how |
| provides pointers on how to shop and purchase the | | | | to cut down the use of paper through |
| most cost effective and safe appliances. A most to | | | | telecommuting; the advantages to telecommuting; |
| read before buying any major appliance. There is | | | | and some of the disadvantages. |
| information on how to determine the energy ratings, | | | | There is a chapter dedicated to the issues of choices |
| switching off appliances, which ones, when not in use | | | | and challenges to power sources. Here the author |
| and suggestions on low-cost options. There is a lot of | | | | provides information on various sources such as wind, |
| valuable information which will assist in cutting your | | | | solar, nuclear energy; and several websites for the |
| gas and electric bills provided in this chapter. The | | | | reader to review for more information. |
| author includes additional information on how to cut | | | | The author has also written a chapter on what can't |
| cost related to using washing machines, dryers, | | | | be recycled, why and what to do with these items. |
| computers, and water heaters. | | | | Another chapter lists useful and interesting links for |
| There is a full chapter on cleaning products such as | | | | the reader to review, such as: |
| the effectiveness of baking soda, white vinegar, | | | | Green-e Climate; Natural pest control for lawns; |
| citrus oils and cleaners to avoid. The next chapter | | | | Building Green; Bureau of International Recycling; |
| takes an in-depth look at cosmetics and personal | | | | Governmental website listing publications. |
| care products. The author points out the importance | | | | |