The holiday season has already begun and if you're thinking about what gifts to give this year, we hope you think about books. A good book is always a great gift! So how about a green-themed book that is both interesting/fun/valuable (or all at once) and affordable?To help you find the best green books to give as gifts this holiday season, Eco-Libris blog is continuing the tradition we started last year and presenting a new holiday guide. This year we have a very special guide with recommendations from people who are involved in the green economy, or as we call it "The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers ".
The guide includes 50 recommendations of great green-themed books that will be a good fit as holiday gifts. As you will see the guide is not only about the books, but also about the people who recommend it. We tried to personalize the guide as much as possible so we will learn not only about green books but also about the people who carry the green economy on their shoulders.
Therefore with each recommendation you will find a personal angle that presents the recommender, his workplace and/or why they chose that specific book to recommend on.
Today we present part 4 (out of five) of the guide. As you can see today and on other parts of the guide, we have some great people who are part of the green economy and also wrote great books which the recommend on. We hope you will enjoy the variety of offers and find here great ideas for green gifts. Enjoy!
31. "Sustainability 101: A Toolkit for Your Business" by Anca Novacovici and Jennifer WoofterRecommended by: Anca Novacovici, the author and the founder of Eco-Coach
What the book is about? This succinct introductory manual is designed to help organizations, whether committed to going green or still trying to get on board, become more socially and environmentally responsible. The book provides nearly one hundred recommendations, with detailed "how to" instructions and websites where you can go for more information, and focuses on the environmental as well as the social aspects of sustainability in an organization. Because it is clearly segmented into steps, a 'newbie' can pick up the book and not feel intimidated, and someone who is more seasoned and is looking for additional ideas does not need to read through material that he/she is already familiar with.
Jennifer and I developed this book based on our experience working with many different companies across various industries. We found that there was a fear of the unknown and many individuals did not know where to start even though there were simple steps that they could take that would move them forward. So, we wanted to share this information with as many people as possible, since there is a lot to do in a short period of time (to decrease the impact that humans are having on the planet). Both of our missions are to further the green movement and help more and more companies and individuals save money, improve employee and customer satisfaction, and save the planet in the process.
Why would this book make a great gift? This is a great office gift - for your boss, a colleague, customers or for yourself! It is easy and actionable reading, and is also great for those who do not have a lot of time to spend on the subject but would like to do something. Reading it will give the recipient lots of ideas of how to become more environmentally friendly and socially conscious not just at work, but at home! You can check it out on the Eco-Coach website and soon on Amazon.com
.
Getting personal: Anca Novacovici is the founder of Eco-Coach (http://www.eco-coach.com), an environmental sustainability consulting company based in Washington DC. Her company is going on its third year, and focuses on both businesses and individuals.
32. "The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems" by Van Jones Recommended by: Judy Harper, Consultant at 505 Marketing
What the book is about? (from the publisher's website - HarperCollins) In The Green Collar Economy, acclaimed activist and political advisor Van Jones delivers a real solution that both rescues our economy and saves the environment. The economy is built on and powered almost exclusively by oil, natural gas, and coal—all fast-diminishing nonrenewable resources. As supplies disappear, the price of energy climbs and nearly everything becomes more expensive. With costs and unemployment soaring, the economy stalls. Not only that, when we burn these fuels, the greenhouse gases they create overheat the atmosphere. As the headlines make clear, total climate chaos looms over us. The bottom line: we cannot continue with business as usual. We cannot drill and burn our way out of these dual dilemmas.
Instead, Van Jones illustrates how we can invent and invest our way out of the pollution-based grey economy and into the healthy new green economy. Built by a broad coalition deeply rooted in the lives and struggles of ordinary people, this path has the practical benefit of both cutting energy prices and generating enough work to pull the U.S. economy out of its present death spiral.
Why would this book make a great gift? This book is about a very serious problem but is an enjoyable read because it shows that solutions are available and we just need to start putting them into practice.Getting Personal: Judy also warmly recommends on "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew
33. " Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage by Daniel C. Esty and Andrew S. WinstonRecommended by:Debora Blair, Channel Operations Manager at Tennant Company
What the book is about? from the publisher's website - Yale University Press): The essential guide for forward-thinking business leaders who see the Green Wave coming and want to profit from it. This book explores what every executive must know to manage the environmental challenges facing society and business.
Based on the authors' years of experience and hundreds of interviews with corporate leaders around the world, 'Green to Gold' shows how companies generate lasting value, cutting costs, reducing risk, increasing revenues, and creating strong brands, by building environmental thinking into their business strategies.
Daniel C. Esty and Andrew S. Winston provide clear how-to advice and concrete examples from companies like BP, Toyota, IKEA, GE, and Nike that are achieving both environmental and business success. The authors show how these cutting-edge companies are establishing an “eco-advantage” in the marketplace as traditional elements of competitive differentiation fade in importance. Esty and Winston not only highlight successful strategies but also make plain what does not work by describing why environmental initiatives sometimes fail despite the best intentions.
Why would this book make a great gift? I believe "Green to Gold" is a great holiday gift for anyone managing all or part of a business as it is practical and shows numerous benefits to focusing on environmental issues and saving valuable resources.
Getting Personal: I am on a corporate sustainability team that has undertaken numerous initiatives with regards to waste and conservation. With every success we make, we see more and more opportunity for improvement.
34. "The 21st Century Energy Initiative: How to solve our energy problems, once and for all" by Mark PaulRecommended by: Mark Paul, the author and Managing Partner at Synergy Consulting Group, LLC
What the book is about? This eBook is for those who are interested in making a difference in the world. It is unique, in that it is not a politically-charged treatise on why "the other side" is wrong. Rather - it digs deep as to the root causes of our current energy problems, and uncovers [1] how we got here in the first place and [2] how we can solve our energy problems. And... what the reader can do about it.
Why would this book make a great gift? Since time is of the essence on this important issue, a unique gift to others may well provide the grass-roots spark this country needs to become the world leader in bringing renewable energy to the rest of the world. Even more than what Obama is promising!
Getting Personal: I have a degree in Physics as a result of the OPEC-led oil embargo of 1973. I planned on solving the world's energy problems, but life got in my way. After 9/11, I decided to learn more about the root causes and how to fix this "grand challenge", once and for all. After years of research, I decided to put forth a plan to solve it. The 21st Century Energy Initiative is all about how Government, Businesses and Research Universities can / should work together to address this problem.
Realizing that this is a huge undertaking, I decided to write the book to share an innovative approach (based on researching what does NOT work). I also decided to become more involved personally... bringing my 30 years of technology commercialization experience to bear and implement a scaled-down version of the 21st Century Energy Initiative - to something I could lead. NXergy is a renewable energy technology accelerator. Information on this company can be found at www.nxergy.com.
35. "How The Land Of Litter Became The Kingdom Of Clean" by Dave Street Recommended by: Greg Barber, Environmental printer
What the book is about? "How The Land Of Litter Became The Kingdom Of Clean" is a 48 page cover book that is all 4 color process and has illustrations of knights and Dragons discussing with the children of the
castle the merits of recycling or not recycling. Does it really make a difference if one person litters. The Knight tells the children that if one child litters and then all the children litter, then that litter could clog the drains and maybe the castle and all the crop could be ruined if there is a huge rainstorm.
Getting Personal: Greg is the publisher and the printer of the book - the book is published by Barber Books and environmental printer the Greg Barber Company (www.gregbarberco.com). It is printed on 100% Post Consumer Recycled Paper and 100% Processed Chlorine-Free Paper (in other words, this book really practices what it teaches!) Greg Barber is also the printer of Eco-Libris stickers and a very recommended green printer!
36. "Carbon Finance: The Financial Implications of Climate Change" by Sonia Labatt and Rodney R WhiteRecommended by: Nader Shwayhat, Energy and Financial Products and Services Manager
What the book is about? (Praise for Carbon Finance from Amazon.com)
"A timely, objective, and informative analysis of the financial opportunities and challenges presented by climate change, including a thorough description of adaptive measures and insurance products for managing risk in a carbon constrained economy."
—James R. Evans, M. Eng. P. Geo., Senior Manager, Environmental Risk Management, RBC Financial Group
"Climate change will have enormous financial implications in the years to come. How businesses and investors respond to the risks and opportunities from this issue will have an enormous rippling effect in the global economy. Sonia Labatt and Rodney White's insights and thoughtful analysis should be read by all who want to successfully navigate this global business issue."
—Andrea Moffat, Director, Corporate Programs, Ceres
Getting Personal: Nader is Entrepreneurial Product Strategist and Business Development Professional with extensive venture-backed startup experience within the energy and financial services markets. His experience includes personal consulting and volunteering activities in the clean-tech space developing voluntary carbon market exchanges, writing energy market analysis, and mentoring solar-power vehicle racing teams.
37. "I am Mr. Ellie Pooh Story Book" by Dr. Karl WaldRecommended by: Dr. Karl Wald, the author and the founder of Mr. Ellie Pooh
What the book is about?
The book is 8"x8" and printed on ois printed on 100% recycled, 75% elephant dung paper. The perfect book for any childrens library. Perfect for the home schooler or show and tell. The kids will go wild.
Why would this book make a great gift? The Mr. Ellie Pooh Storybook is printed on 100% recycled, elephant dung paper. No trees were cut down to make this product. Your children will be amazed after reading this book that they are holding such a marvelous product in their hands, and saving a piece of Earth too.
Getting Personal: Mr. Ellie Pooh is a new eco-friendly innovative company making handmade paper products partially made from elephant poo. Yes, elephant dung! Dr. Karl Wald and Thusitha Ranasinghe are spear heading a conservation program to help save wild elephants in
And there's also a special 15% discount offer for our readers - all you have to do is just enter the word "ecolibris" in the coupon box on the checkout process (starts here - http://store.mrelliepooh.com/woboboco.html) and you'll get the discount!
38. "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future" by Bill McKibbenRecommended by: Indigo C, Social Entrepreneur (Founder at Satori International, Commander In Chief at The Zen Army, Director at The Environmental Corps, Founder at Deedz)
What the book is about? (from Deep Economy's website) In this powerful and provocative manifesto, Bill McKibben offers the biggest challenge in a generation to the prevailing view of our economy. For the first time in human history, he observes, "more" is no longer synonymous with "better"—indeed, for many of us, they have become almost opposites. McKibben puts forward a new way to think about the things we buy, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the money that pays for it all. Our purchases, he says, need not be at odds with the things we truly value.
McKibben's animating idea is that we need to move beyond "growth" as the paramount economic ideal and pursue prosperity in a more local direction, with cities, suburbs, and regions producing more of their own food, generating more of their own energy, and even creating more of their own culture and entertainment. He shows this concept blossoming around the world with striking results, from the burgeoning economies of India and China to the more mature societies of Europe and New England. For those who worry about environmental threats, he offers a route out of the worst of those problems; for those who wonder if there isn't something more to life than buying, he provides the insight to think about one's life as an individual and as a member of a larger community.
McKibben offers a realistic, if challenging, scenario for a hopeful future. As he so eloquently shows, the more we nurture the essential humanity of our economy, the more we will recapture our own.
39. "It's Not About the Money: Unlock Your Money Type to Achieve Spiritual and Financial Abundance" by Brent KesselRecommended by: Brent Kessel, the author and co-founder of Abacus Portfolios
What the book is about?Although not overtly ‘green,’ this book is all about curtailing our consumerism by understanding what motivates most of our purchases, as well as investing in a safe, globally-diversified, sustainable way. Kessel offers new ways to think about spending, saving, giving and earning money to reach personal financial goals and maintain a real sense of security and confidence about one’s future.
Why would this book make a great gift? Do you know someone who is struggling to make ends meet, keep their house, or solidify their savings? This holiday season, all of us are trying to find a way to give something of value and meaning to our loved ones without breaking the bank.
For less than the price of a typical bank fee, buy those in financial distress a copy of It’s Not About the Money, which Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine just named one of the Top Five Business Books for 2008. It’s an investment which will give them a game plan for staying safe, sane and calm in this chaotic economy.
Getting Personal: Brent Kessel, CFP, is co-founder of Abacus Portfolios, a portfolio management company offering socially responsible investing while focusing on global, environmental and economic sustainability.
40. "Green Jobs Philly" by Paul GloverRecommended by: Paul Glover, the author and community consultant and organizer
What the book is about? My new book "Green Jobs Philly" translates this movement into policies and programs practical and controllable locally, without waiting for federal, state or corporate funding. Lots of proposals for grassroots funding of neighborhood technologies. And, suiting the times, it's small (48pp) and inexpensive. http://www.paulglover.org/gjp.html See also http://www.greenjobsphilly.org/news
Why would this book make a great gift? This small volume is a powerful and efficient introduction, with specific practical proposals, for bringing green jobs to your city or town.
Getting personal: I started Ithaca HOURS local currency, Ithaca Health Alliance, Citizen Planners of Los Angeles, Philadelphia Orchard Project, and many more groups during the past 35 years. Also authored Hometown Money, Health Democracy, Los Angeles: A History of the Future, A Crime Not a Crisis, and other books.
I write newspaper and magazine articles about ecological urban design and grassroots economic development. I teach Metropolitan Ecology, and Green Jobs, at Temple University and am editor of Green Jobs Philly News. I consult (Greenplanners) with communities seeking to navigate busted economies. Full list and homepage: http://www.paulglover.org
If you choose to give your friends or family this book as a present on the holidays, you are more than welcome to balance it out with Eco-Libris, add our sticker to the book and make it the perfect green gift for the holidays.
The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 1
The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 2
The Green Collar Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers - Part 3
Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net
