David Suzuki's Green Guide

by David Suzuki

Everyone knows that the planet is in trouble, but is there a solution? This timely book identifies the most effective ways individuals can be more green in four key home, travel, food, and consumerism. It also describes how citizens can ensure that governments take the actions necessary to make sustainable lifestyles the norm instead of the exception. Environmental lawyer David Boyd and celebrated ecologist David Suzuki provide vital tips for choosing a home, creating a healthy indoor environment, and decreasing energy and water use — and utility bills. They discuss what readers can do to drive and fly less, profile the most environmentally friendly transportation choices, and explain how to purchase carbon credits, among other suggestions. In addition, they offer simple changes individuals can make in their diet to eat fresher, tastier, healthier food. Included too is invaluable advice about how to buy fewer things and avoid toxic consumer products.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Sustainability, Canada

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

David Suzuki is a Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist. A long time activist to reverse global climate change, Suzuki co-founded the David Suzuki Foundation in 1990, to work "to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us." The Foundation's priorities are: oceans and sustainable fishing, climate change and clean energy, sustainability, and David Suzuki's Nature Challenge. He also served as a director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from 1982-1987.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book teached me very few things. Most of this stuff I already knew. Maybe this book is already outdated? Maybe that ten years ago, people didn’t know that taking public transport was better than taking the car? That eating local food was better than eating food from Argentina or South Africa (when you’re in Canada) ? As someone who is into the zero waste movement, this book didn’t bring me much. I would recommend this to someone who just started to hear about global warming.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit that I often regard statements about the environment with a little bit of scepticism, there are so many "experts" out there and they seem to disagree with each other more often than not.

Because of the above, I was particularly interested in reading this book by David Suzuki. His reputation and experience certainly make him an authority on this issue and this book was a very balanced, rational approach to this important topic.

After reading his advice, statistics and examples, I feel motivated to make better choices. The book was very interesting and I think that it is one that I will be likely to refer to repeatedly.

For a more detailed review, visit Suite101.com

[Lannan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suuuper basic 101 stuff here. I was hoping for a little bit more, but I'm sure it's perfect for someone that has absolutely no prior knowledge about what impact household decisions have on the environment. (Hint: Almost none. Get rid of industrial capitalism first and you -might- be able to say we've collectively done a measurably Good Thing.)

[Sylvain Bérubé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je n'avais pas de grandes attentes envers ce livre, ce qui explique pourquoi j'en ai reporté sa lecture de deux-trois ans. Je pensais qu'il focuserait trop sur les changements individuels, tandis qu'à mon sens, les problèmes environnementaux exigent d'abord une réponse collective. J'ai toutefois été agréablement surpris de voir que les solutions collectives n'ont pas été mises de côté dans ce livre, et qu'au final, il équilibre bien l'apport possible des l'individus et des collectivité pour s'attaquer aux bouleversements environnementaux. Au final, il s'agit d'un excellent livre pour les non-initiés, et d'une référence de plus pour les environnementalistes convaincus,

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this! It may inspire you to change your life. I checked it out from the library, but I like it so much I plan to buy it. I'd like to refer back to portions of it throughout my life.

[Marie-Pier · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'aurais pu mettre 5 étoiles, mais certaines infos sont maintenant désuètes (ex. lois en vigueur) et le ton est parfois un peu trop moralisateur. Outre cela, c'est un livre nécessaire.

[Jacinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for someone wanting an overview of sustainable life practices. And although written a few years ago, there are points that still apply to today's standards for living green.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY easy read for the average Joe, which is what I assume Dr. Suzuki was aiming for. I picked this up a long time ago, read a few pages, put it aside, picked it up again, probably days or weeks later, read a bit more, until eventually I finished.
He gets straight to the point of what we need to do, not only help the environment, but to help our individual health levels & daily quality of life. Some of the details I've forgotten, some have been common sense to me over the years, and some I vaguely remember (in between). But after finishing it finally, I've decided to keep this book within arm's reach on my book shelf (ahead of all the others), so I can reference it on a regular basis. I suggest it to everyone. Not reading it actually would seem irresponsible to me.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells you which things in your life cause the most environmental damage, and therefore, which things are best to change, and things you can do to change.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't finish does not mean I did not want to finish, I just had several books going at once, all from the library and they came due. This is an excellent guide to green living.

[Mirta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide on how to be a green citizen. Glad to read it but I wish I have read it when the book it first came out several years ago.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informational, not alot of new material for me. Horrendously organized and not reader-friendly. I'm sure there are books with the same information presented better than this one.

[Stacen · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

[Julie D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cet ouvrage présente de bonnes idées dans l'ensemble, mais une nouvelle édition s'impose. Il est un peu désuet par moment.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book with great tips on how to live a "greener life", still relevant 10 years after its publication. Must-read.

[Casey Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a very good job of breaking down an overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable problem into the ‘heaviest hitters’ that people can tackle in their own personal life. I found some of the insights in the book surprising with regards to their magnitude of impact. The book does not take long to read - I finished it in two days over a weekend. I would recommend it for anyone who has asked themselves “what can I really do?”

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was written in 2008, it's now 2023 and the book is very outdated. A lot of the information in the book is made for people who know nothing about climate change. I wouldn't recommend this book just because of the information inside is very outdated, new information comes out all the time so this is expected for a scientific book.

[Fabio Mologni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty decent guide, pretty basic and unfortunately now outdated. Not too negative, perhaps even too positive. One point in organic food not mentioned is that it uses more land than traditional agriculture, meaning it is not necessarily better for biodiversity, nature, and contrasting climate change

[Sandrine Gagné · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plus tellement d'actualité mais soulève tout de même une belle réflexion sur nos habitudes environnementales.

[MARC L'ESPERANCE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

saw it in a bookstore in Guelph Ontario & think it might be good to stock at my shop