50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth

by The Earth Works Group

To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Earth Day, an updated guide to environmental awareness encompasses the latest research into such issues as global warming, ozone depletion, and endangered species and offers advice on how readers can help the environment. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Environment, Nature, Ecology, Reference, How To

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this 1989 edition is a little outdated (elephants may go extinct by the year 2000, don't use leaded gas), it still is chock full of useful tips. Recycle, drive less if you can, compost. The 50 tips are broken into three categories: simple things, it takes some effort, for the committed. Most of the tips are simple things. The it takes some effort level involves simple things like recycle your cans and glass, and the not so simple use cloth diapers. This book is still relevant after all these years.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I used this book in 1990 when we started the recycling program in our county. We were committed to saving our planet but it was a hard sell to those who didn't think about the next seven generations. It has taken 18 years for eco-friendly to become part of our language and hopefully our lives.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had the updated version.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books like this. You never know what may be added that you didn't know or haven't read about yet. Granted this book was published awhile ago I really injoyed all of the links it gave. So you can easily go to websites of particular things and get updated info or more ways to get involved. Some people just don't know where to start so this is a great book for starters.

[Steven Dzwonczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly the most influential book I've ever read. I haven't picked it up in years, but I'll bet there are dozens of things I do every day that were directly because of this book.

[Anne Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book was originally published in 1991 and, surprisingly, distributed by Tampax. It lists and gives explanations abut 50 things everyday Americans can do to make a positive impact on the environment.

Yes, it's a little out-of-date at this point, but it does illustrate two things: first, that environmental issues aren't something new in spite of the political arguing over such topics as global warming; second, that individuals aren't powerless nor even insignificant when it comes to the impact they make on the environment, both positive and negative. Many of the items are still relevant.

This book is a good read for anyone wondering what they can do for the environment. Even if everyone picked just one thing, their one thing multiplied by the Earth's population can only help to keep this planet we live on healthy.

[Darilaros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm someone who was born the year this book was published. My aunt gave it to me when I was around 7-8 and reading it was the very first wake up call for me. I did go on to follow my family's mocking apathy for a while, but the seeds had been planted so to speak, and I couldn't deny them.

I'm writing this review partly because I like to share stories and partly because I hope the author(s) come across it. Clearly the world didn't listen, but for what it's worth, this book mattered to me. A lot. And the woman I bought my current copy from at a garage sale expressed something along those lines as well.

[Victòria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so this book is at least 30 years old and almost everything it says still applies to the present and it tells you the very basics of home ecology. At the same time it helped me to see what things we have been doing right, like in Spain we now recycle glass bottles and containers. But it showed me too how some problems we already knew it existed long ago are still problems from the present. All in all, that we are still having the same problems from 30 years ago means that we are not taking it seriously enough -us the citizens and the government.

[Lefki Sarantinou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Νομίζω ότι εξαιτίας αυτού του βιβλίου έγινα οικολόγος! Αν και είναι παλιό, θεωρώ ότι είναι η καλύτερη πρόταση για παιδιά από πρώτης δημοτικού και άνω! Φυσικά καλό θα ήταν να το διαβάσουν και μεγάλοι και να εφαρμόσουν τις συμβουλές του σε κάθε τομέα που πραγματεύεται: ζώα, φυτά, νερό, ενέργεια κ.α.

[Paul Waring · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book turned me into an environmentalist as a teenager. Although some of the tips have been superseded (for example, leaded petrol is thankfully a thing of the past), many are still depressingly relevant.

[Ky · Rating 2 out of 5]

By 2019 this book is just way too out of date.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's American based, lots of great tips and reminders

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the kids version of this back in 5th grade, in 1990. that, in addition to the earth day celebrations and renewed focus on the environment in our country, made me a bit of an enviro-freak for a couple years.
i cut every single six pack holder we used or that i found. i didn’t want the fishes and the birds and the baby seals to die from eating them or getting caught in them.
i was afraid of cfcs and styrofoam, and often thought, when using styrofoam, that if it broke, i could almost see the tiny cfcs floating up and destroying the ozone layer.
i got ridiculous about paper recylcing, and continued that ridiculousness until i moved to philly where they make recycling way too hard (especially for apartment dwellers).
i planted a tree and did the whole hands across the river thing.
and then, well, i grew up and became a consumerist, and, like a lot of people, got more concerned with ‘adult’ things and wars and shit like that.
a few weeks ago, k watched al gore’s movie and got inspired and incensed. we bought the energy star flourescent light bulbs. we investigate recylcing here in philly (which only reconfirmed my knowledge that they make it way too hard for apartment dwellers) and found one or two possible places where we can bring our stuff twice a month. i pbs’d 50 simple things you can do to save the earth (which brings me back to the start of this post) and read it last night.
granted, it was written in 1989 and so much of the environment and the issues surrounding it, and our government, has changed in the almost 20 years since then. but a lot of the points are still valid (though it was weird to see a ‘resources’ list with out any urls).
it covers the basics about what’s going wrong with the planet and why. then it offers things we can do to combat many of the problems. the whole reduce, reuse, recycle thing, getting flourescent light bulbs, using less water, composting, cutting up plastic 6 pack rings, using public transit, etc.
a lot of those points are still very valid today, because we have the same problems now that we had 20 years ago. but i don’t think that’s enough any more.
we live in such a wasteful culture (in the us). k and i produce so much garbage it’s disgusting. packaging makes up the most of it. like, why does toothpaste or aleve need to come in a box? why not just seal the product itself (which they already do) and sell it that way? it wouldn’t take up more room in stores. and why do things have so much packaging in general? to prevent damage i guess, but it’s SO excessive.
and why does discover keep sending me courtesy checks (when my card’s maxed out anyway) and other notes about how to redeem my points? why does verizon need to send me fucking newsletters? and WHY does my bank send me statements when i never look at them and have requested to not receive them? they don’t offer an opt out for statements even though they do offer online banking. fucking christ.
and global warming is an issue. just stand out at the bus stop with me one morning. SO MUCH heat radiates off the cars and i breathe so much exhaust from them and the buses. sure, i’m about a foot away from the roadway, but that heat and exhaust is heating up and polluting the place where i live even if i’m not standing right next to it to feel the very direct effects.
and water? holy shit. we’ve got cyanide in the schuylkill, creepy crawlies in the great lakes, oil nearly everywhere, and our biggest source of fresh water (the glaciers) are slowly melting into the salty seas. and desalinization ain’t cheap.
there are so many problems that need to be addressed that a simple book like this one won’t solve all the problems, even if everyone read it and followed their suggestions.
anyway. the environment is an issue. a big one. but gw is too busy waging war and vetoing scientific research to notice.

[Earl · Rating 2 out of 5]

50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth by the Earthworks Group (1989); John Javna, Sophia Javna, and Jesse Javna (2008). It’s a great idea to occasionally read something completely different from what you’re normally used to- not only as a way to expose yourself to a new subject matter but to also expand your knowledge of things. This was probably the first time where I lived has played a factor in determining my reading selection. Having moved to Portland, I couldn’t help but take up a couple of the things it’s known for- volunteerism and, in this case, environmentalism. “50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth” was first released in 1989 and recently updated in 2008. “It’s an entirely new book,” notes John Javna, who was a main contributor to both versions. The original was self-published- and there were a lot of typographical errors- and basically gave eco-tips like recycling soda cans and cutting down the six-pack rings they come in, not using Styrofoam cups, installing energy-saving light bulbs, and carpooling. The newer version still tackled the same matters but have partnered up with different organizations to give people an idea of what they can do to help- from simple steps to more involved and dedicated efforts. I thought this approach of introducing an issue and then offering ways to participate was a good way to find out what can be done if the reader decides to do something at all. The books have definitely been informative- if not always entertaining- with all the statistics and addresses to get more information.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this was published in 1989, and some of their stats I am sure are outdated -- it still has some fantastic (and many of them really simple) ideas to recycle and reuse, and basically "save the Earth"

It actually made me feel pretty good, as I do many of the suggestions already! Yeah Me! I vow to try to do more.

[Wilson Wiess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fairly good. I would not have read it normally but, I needed to read a how to book for my reading apprenticeship sheet. This book provided some pretty useful things I could do to protect the environment. The problem is that is very old. I would've given this book 5 stars 20 years ago.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its funny to read this guide long after it was written to see what recommendations for saving the earth are now common practice. It would be interesting to see an updated version with current stats to see how we did.

[Inggita · Rating 3 out of 5]

great format - but too US-based

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, important stuff your parents never thought about.

[Bess]

Very important tips for each of us. We CAN make a difference.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of great suggestions for living your life in a greener more eco friendly way

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a child. and it made a huge impact on me.

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, simple things, and they can add up. Still worth checking out.

[Don Gubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the title says.

[Chelsi]

Even in 2015 these steps can be taken to help our planet. We need to take steps for a sustainable life on Earth and that does not mean giving up all comfort in our lives.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for ideas. Needs to be re-issued for current decade. This was published in 1989. Surprising how much is still relevant!

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated but we definitely need to do more to support our planet- especially now.

[Bookerkc]

donated