Book Review: 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth

Imagine my surprise when my friend, Jeannine, who I’ve known almost 20 years, send me a package.  An accomplished baker, Jeannine just has an amazing way of find that perfect little gift.  And in addition to those cookies she sent us, I’m tickled at a little book by Joanna Yarrow, 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth.

  I don’t know much about Yarrow, but from what I gather, she practices what she preaches.  Her book is printed with vegetable-based inks and is printed on recycled paper, and she has taken countless steps making her home in North London as eco-friendly as possible.  From composting to evaluating wind turbines on her home, she speaks my language:  many small steps can make a big difference on a large scale.

The book is terrific:  a perfect gift for that parent who’s clueless about recycling, the college student moving away for the first time, or that friend that drives you nuts by keeping her faucets running—but you just don’t want to hurt her feelings.

There are great tips, some of which I admit I was clueless or had just given little thought:  minimize the food and drink in your fridge (I thought the opposite), plant a hedge instead of building a fence, shred leaves before you compost, etc., etc., etc., provide slippers if you insist your guests take off their shoes when they enter your home.  Some I had followed for a while:  keeping bags of nuts in my car so I don’t give in to fast food temptation, walk if your destination is less than 2 miles, and prepare more food from scratch.

I see myself buying several copies for holiday gifts . . . and in the meantime I’m having a hard time putting the book down!