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Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community
This follow-up to 'It's Easy Being Green' takes green living outside the domestic sphere and into the wider environment. It features ideas, examples and case studies for implementing green ideas at work, in public buildings, in schools and in building and design.
- GenresNonfiction
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 28, 2025
The most important thing to point out is that this book is outdated. There are many aspects of the climate crisis that have worsened since the writing of this book, but more excitingly, there have been many advancements and innovations made in fighting the climate crisis. As a through and through eco warrior I loved reading this book despite the old information. I was in fifth grade when this book was published, so my knowledge of the realm during that time was very limited. Reading more about the technology and mindsets at that time is educational to me in understanding people's thought process as well as the way environmental issues have evolved.
The author was conscious of the fact that the science she was writing about would become outdated, so there are many times when she says, "At the time of this book being published [this] was the case." Her awareness of this lent itself to her credibility on the topic.
This all being said, not all technologies mentioned were outdated. There was a lot on building with the environment in mind, including commercial buildings, hospitals, and schools. It's sad to see how long certain practices have been around, but still have not been adopted by the construction industry--especially in light of how many housing developments have been popping up across the nation.
When this book was published I would have recommended it to anyone wanting to learn more about their world and how they can have a positive impact. Currently, I would only recommend the book to readers with an environmental knowledge base so that they can distinguish between outdated information and the facts that still hold true at this point in time.
The author was conscious of the fact that the science she was writing about would become outdated, so there are many times when she says, "At the time of this book being published [this] was the case." Her awareness of this lent itself to her credibility on the topic.
This all being said, not all technologies mentioned were outdated. There was a lot on building with the environment in mind, including commercial buildings, hospitals, and schools. It's sad to see how long certain practices have been around, but still have not been adopted by the construction industry--especially in light of how many housing developments have been popping up across the nation.
When this book was published I would have recommended it to anyone wanting to learn more about their world and how they can have a positive impact. Currently, I would only recommend the book to readers with an environmental knowledge base so that they can distinguish between outdated information and the facts that still hold true at this point in time.
February 23, 2017
The info is okay, but outdated (majority of info was available & relevant a decade before the book was published). Low rating due to offering nothing new to someone who is already involved in 'greening.' Author says it will move you from 'talk' to 'walk' but book offers nothing to accomplish that.
January 16, 2011
Taylor's compilation of over five years of columns on "Going Green" from Jackson Hole, Wyoming is insightful and resourceful. Exactly the kind of resources an individual or small group can use to change not only their own green profile but can use to instigate wider, community-wide change.
Taylor is obviously from a building background and her resume' certainly supports that. The first four chapters of this slim, neatly organized and well printed (Gibbs-Smith, the publisher, is to be lauded for the printing quality and use of recycled paper) deal primarily with the building trades, home remodeling and buildings. It is the most well written part of the book.
Chapters on conserving, recycling and re-using consumer and industrial materials and waste are pretty much standard issue fare on the subjects. Pieces on farming and CSAs also follow the standard form and the resources are well noted but, as usual in the modern internet age, widely available and more easily searchable online.
Of particular note are the few case studies used to illustrate what other communtities have accomplished in the areas of light rail, recycling, CSA and school construction. They show what communitites can do when they pull together, share a vision and mission and work to accomplish it.
As a general reference on the subject and for inspiration to move forward personally or as a community, "Go Green" is well worth the reading. It can inspire each of us, individually and collectively to do more.
Taylor is obviously from a building background and her resume' certainly supports that. The first four chapters of this slim, neatly organized and well printed (Gibbs-Smith, the publisher, is to be lauded for the printing quality and use of recycled paper) deal primarily with the building trades, home remodeling and buildings. It is the most well written part of the book.
Chapters on conserving, recycling and re-using consumer and industrial materials and waste are pretty much standard issue fare on the subjects. Pieces on farming and CSAs also follow the standard form and the resources are well noted but, as usual in the modern internet age, widely available and more easily searchable online.
Of particular note are the few case studies used to illustrate what other communtities have accomplished in the areas of light rail, recycling, CSA and school construction. They show what communitites can do when they pull together, share a vision and mission and work to accomplish it.
As a general reference on the subject and for inspiration to move forward personally or as a community, "Go Green" is well worth the reading. It can inspire each of us, individually and collectively to do more.
June 9, 2008
Go Green: How to Build a Earth-Friendly Community by Nancy H. Taylor is a slim volume (164 pages when counting the resources and index) that introduces key concepts for environmentally friendly living.
The book starts with simple changes that can be done at home or in the office to save energy and resources. From there it builds outwards, first with ways to remodel existing structures, then to building green from scratch, green transportation, sustainable local food sources, water conservation and recycling, renewable energy, a world view and finally how all these things can be brought together to realize a fully green community. The book concludes with a lengthy set of resources (many of them online) for readers to further their progress in becoming part of the solution.
The first couple of chapters I wish were longer as we have already implemented everything in chapter one. I was hoping to learn something new that my family and I could add to our conservation tricks.
My last little nitpick is the choice of ink color: it's turquoise blue. It doesn't show up well under my compact florescent lights. It made for an eye straining read at night. I hope later editions will go back to black ink.
The book starts with simple changes that can be done at home or in the office to save energy and resources. From there it builds outwards, first with ways to remodel existing structures, then to building green from scratch, green transportation, sustainable local food sources, water conservation and recycling, renewable energy, a world view and finally how all these things can be brought together to realize a fully green community. The book concludes with a lengthy set of resources (many of them online) for readers to further their progress in becoming part of the solution.
The first couple of chapters I wish were longer as we have already implemented everything in chapter one. I was hoping to learn something new that my family and I could add to our conservation tricks.
My last little nitpick is the choice of ink color: it's turquoise blue. It doesn't show up well under my compact florescent lights. It made for an eye straining read at night. I hope later editions will go back to black ink.
November 13, 2008
Friend wrote, I need to read it.
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I read the book and it really is a comprehensive checklist of all things green. I even learned about what I think is the new mainstream thrust of the green movement, considering the "embodied energy" of that which we consume. Very thought-provoking and a great resource.
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I read the book and it really is a comprehensive checklist of all things green. I even learned about what I think is the new mainstream thrust of the green movement, considering the "embodied energy" of that which we consume. Very thought-provoking and a great resource.
June 1, 2013
The 1 page forward was the most insightful part of the book. The idea that the green movement is best served by community activism, better than individual, political, or business activism, is a stirring realization. Some good stuff in the book too.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews