This week's book recommendation - Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America

I'd like to share with you today an update on a great book that has just been released - Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America by Tyson Miller (editor) and Kelly Spitzner (designer), Foreword by Paul Hawken, Closing by Alice Walker.

I just saw the book briefly but from what I've heard this is a very special book that anyone interested in finding sustainable solutions for a better future for America (and the world)  should be reading.

Here's more about the book from its website:

Across the nation countless individuals and organizations are dreaming a new future. Dream of a Nation sheds lights on some of the groundbreaking leaders, projects and ideas that have the potential to solve society’s toughest problems.

Through a collection of essays and short commentaries, the solutions and projects presented celebrate unique contributions from the country’s diverse population and span the nation’s most prevalent concerns. The content is applicable to readers of varying political persuasions and the material comes alive through four-color authentic images, and accessible graphics and illustrations.

Contributors include: (Click links below to see samples of the look and feel of the book!)

• Alice Walker
• Vice President Gore
• Time 100 Visionary Geoffrey Canada
• Bioneers Founder Kenny Ausubel
• NASA Astronaut Jerry Linenger
• Frances Moore Lappé
• Common Cause
• New America Foundation
• United for a Fair Economy
• The Bipartisan Bridge
• Citizen Effect
• Veterans for Peace
• (and nearly 50 more)

Over 60 interconnected issues are explored and organized across 12 chapters including: Building an Equitable and Green Economy, Waging Peace, Citizen Leadership, Strengthening Community, Environmental Stewardship, Ending Poverty, Deepening Democracy, Improving Health, Media Reform, Key Education Innovations, Re-Imagining Business, and Creating a Nation that Shines.

Dream of a Nation restores faith that humanity can solve our current looming environmental, economic and societal challenges. This is a comprehensive resource for any reader interested in gaining critical information and deepening their role as an empowered citizen.

Praise for Dream of a Nation
“Dream of a Nation moves us past party lines and into the realm of what is possible. This important work guides even the most disillusioned of us toward innovative measures that, if implemented, could benefit society in amazing ways and make citizen activists out of us all. Inspiring!” - –Jennifer Grayson, Huffington Post

“At a time when America’s challenges seem greater than ever, when polarization threatens to leave us permanently divided, Dream of a Nation reminds us of what we have in common—and all that we can build when we work together.” –Bryan Walsh, TIME Magazine

Last but not least, the book is printed on 100% PCW recycled FSC-certified paper in the U.S.

For more information on the book and ordering a copy visit http://dreamofanation.org/book/ 

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

Three-eyed fish, too much poop and other green issues you should be horrified about this Halloween

Our Halloween special continues! After we shared with you a list of ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween, here's a counter-list of ten green things that you should be horrified about this Halloween:

1. Fishermen trawling a nuclear-plant-fed reservoir in Córdoba, Argentina have caught a three-eyed wolf fish (not a very pretty fellow I have to say..) 

2. The 7 billionth baby is expected to arrive around Halloween (and we have a big poop problem)

3. No one in the media (except the Daily Show) seems to care about a new study that confirms the scientific finding that climate change is real and underway -would it be the same if the results were the opposite?

4. What you can find in the McDonald's McRib sandwich 

5. BP just got an approval to launch its first deep-water drilling since the lethal blowout of its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico a year and a half ago

6. The Greenland ice sheet can experience extreme melting even when temperatures don't hit record highs, according to a new analysis

7. Cereal crimes: Bear Naked and other big cereal brands are exposed in a new consumer report for unethical “natural” claims

8. Animals shrink as earth warms (are we next?)

9. More dust storms expected as Texas drought lingers (I wonder if Rick Perry read this one..)

10. Ozzy Osbourne is embracing a vegan diet

If you have more ideas, feel free to add your comment.

Happy Halloween!
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Hyperink, a new e-publishing startup is revolutionizing the digital publishing space

If publishers thought the only threat on their business comes from Amazon and its plans to seriously get into publishing, they're wrong. The eBook space is a great place for innovators, creating new models and ventures that might become even a bigger threat for traditional publishers in the near future. Take Hyperink for example.

Hyperink, as The Next Web defined it, is looking to change these facts. Essentially the company is looking to speed up the publishing industry, providing nearly on-demand access to topic-driven books, focusing on the micro scale. So rather than a “How to Get Into College”, you’re likely to see “How to Get Into Stanford”.

On Hyperink's website you can find the following: "We started Hyperink for a simple reason: there is too much knowledge trapped in people's heads, inaccessible to the world. Our mission is to unlock and share that knowledge by working directly with domain experts to publish beautiful, high-quality eBooks."

This need identification was made by Kevin Gao who founded Hyperlink after he left McKinsey and wrote down his thoughts on how to get there in a 90-page tract he called The Consulting Bible and began selling the e-book at $25 apiece. Last year, he told Businessweek, the title made more than $100,000, and the book’s unexpected success got Gao thinking. “There are millions of people out there like me who have interesting knowledge about all these random topics,” he told Businessweek. “But to market a book online there are a thousand steps that I had to figure out through trial and error.”

His idea transformed eventually this publishing startup that is focusing on producing 30-50 page nonfiction e-books on selected niche topics, from how to get into Ivy league schools to getting consulting jobs in India. Hyperink raised already $1.2 million from venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, SVAngel and Lerer Ventures and has published 100 e-books since January. Gao, who serves now as the company's CEO, wants to publish 100 books per month, available for download on e-readers, tablets, mobile devices and computers.

The comparative advantage of Hyperink is specialization - you already have For Dummies and other guides covering almost every topic on earth, but they're usually general. Hyperlink is looking to provide for more specific and thus valuable guidance. Scott Weiss, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz who took part in the decision to invest in Hyperink gave Businessweek an example -instead of College Admission Essays For Dummies, Hyperink can produce 30-50-page volumes on the admissions process at hundreds of different schools, like "How to Get Into Amherst".

Hyperink also puts a lot of effort in identifying the right topics, the ones that will actually generate enough sales. The company, as businesweek reports, created software to predict in-demand topics. The algorithm takes in datasets, such as recent book sales figures and popular Internet searches, to determine what kinds of titles to produce.

And what about the authors? Hyperink explains on the website that "we’re ideal for experts who are entrepreneurial but don’t want to deal with the hassles of self-publishing. We’ll put you on a schedule and provide you with guidance to get the project completed." They hunt for what they call “domain experts” by advertising on Facebook, enlisting consultant-for-hire services such as Evisors, and simply calling around. There are no upfront payments to authors, but experts who write these books by themselves can get up to 50% of the royalties.

Hyperink's vision is to change the book publishing space - "book publishing needs to go through a lot of change - it should be faster, more personalized, and more democratic. We're going to make that happen," they write on their website. This is an ambitious goal, but Hyperink seems to be armed with the right tools to make it happen, or at least significantly contribute to such a change. In any event, publishers better pay attention to Hyperlink - this is the future of the publishing space and if they won't learn how to adjust to it, they will find themselves in trouble.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween!

Halloween is almost here, so we thought of sharing with you today a list of ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween (and in general):

1. Taking small steps to reduce your footprint even if you don't have an eco-concierge or you have just read 'Going Green but Getting Nowhere', which made you think it's all hopeless.

2. Telling President Obama: Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline.

3. Visiting your local Occupy Wall-Street protest (you might even meet Paul Krugman there..)

4. Checking the new Nest Learning Thermostat (as cool as a thermostat can get!)

5. Feeling optimistic about the future of sustainable consumption

6. Buying Mark Bittman's book 'The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living' (and try some of his great recipes!)

7. Car sharing or even carpooling!

8. Looking for flip flops made of recycled paper (or: Paperflops)

9. Exploring your local e-library options.

10. Enjoying the fall colors (before it gets too late or just too cold..)

If you have more ideas, feel free to add your comment.

On Saturday we'll publish the second-part of our Halloween special lists - this time the green things you should be horrified about!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

This Saturday on Strand Bookstore: Chuck Palahniuk's first and only NYC event for his new book, Damned

Here's an update from our friends at Strand about a special event that they organize this Saturday with Chuck Palahniuk, author of Damned.

Here are the details: The Strand is hosting this special event at The Great Hall at Cooper Union, located at 7 East 7th Street on Third Avenue.

Admission is $30, which includes a signed copy of Damned-- and can be purchased here.

Please note that there are no physical tickets and books can only be picked up at the event. Please bring a copy of your receipt for verification.

The event begins at 6pm. Doors open at 5:15pm. Seating is first come, first served.

The first 100 fans to purchase their seat for this event were invited to meet the author and get their book personalized. Those VIP tickets are now SOLD OUT! VIP ticket-holders will be contacted via email with information about when to arrive at The Great Hall to meet the author.

Signed copies of the author's previous books, as well as signed copies of Damned, will be available for purchase at the event and via our Pre-Order Signed Page.

Reserve your seat in the store or here. Guests who reserve a seat online will be added to a guest list at the event.

Chuck Palahniuk's eleven best-selling novels-Tell-All, Pygmy, Snuff, Rant, Haunted, Lullaby, Fight Club, Diary, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke-have sold more than five million copies in the United States. He is also the author of Fugitives and Refugees, published as part of the Crown Journey Series, and the nonfiction collection Stranger Than Fiction.

About Strand: Located in 828 Broadway (at 12th St.), this New York's independent landmark bookstore is not only one of most famous bookstores in the world, but also a partner of Eco-Libris. Strand are taking part in our bookstore program and customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

Visit Strand's Event Calendar for the complete schedule of events.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

My Million Dollar Mom by Ross Schriftman is joining the 100 trees Project!

I'm sure most people think their mom is really great. Ross Schriftman actually wrote a book about it: My Million Dollar Mom, an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between a mother, Shirley and her son Ross.

We're also happy to update you that this great book has just joined the "100 Trees Project"!

This joint program was launched by Infinity Publishing, a leading self-publishing company together with Eco-Libris to promote environmental sustainability among its authors. Through the program, authors that publish with Infinity are able to plant 100 trees for the title they publish. These authors also have the option to add a special "100 trees planted for this book" logo to their book's design, as a way to showcase their commitment to environmental sustainability.

What's this book is about? My Million Dollar Mom is an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between a mother, Shirley and her son Ross. Love of family, politics, community, patriotism, teaching, animals, nature, music and service to others was Shirley Schriftman; a member of the greatest generation. When Alzheimer’s strikes this loving Mother their roles reverse and Ross, with the help of care giver Nora, take Shirley to the end of her life with dignity and joy.

About the author:

Ross Schriftman was a devoted son. In addition to his love of family, Ross has been active in politics for more than 40 years. He ran for Pennsylvania State Representative in 1974, 1976 and 2004 and Montgomery County Controller in 1979. He has been an insurance agent since 1975 and specializes in Medicare and long-term care insurance. Professionally, he served as the Associate Chair for Long-Term Care for the National Association of Health Underwriters from 2001 to 2003 and Legislative Chair of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters from 1994 to 2003.

Ross served as Regional President of the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods in the 1980s. He has run marathons since 1970. Though Ross is a frequent speaker and writer on health care issues and public policy, My Million Dollar Mom is his first published book.

My Million Dollar Mom is available for sale on Infinity's website.

Other books on the "100 Trees Project":

My Name is Grace

The Last Original Idea: A Cynic's View to Internet Marketing

Buffalo on the Ridge by Deanna Meyer

What Love Is...A-Z by by Elle Febbo

Raven Wings and 13 More Twisted Tales

Ishift- Innovation Shift

Good Management is Not Firefighting

Play on Words

This is Your Brain on God

DRIVEN! Remembrance, Reflection, & Revelation

X-POSED: The Painful Truth Behind Yoga & Pilates

Last Male Born: Revenge

Reduced Load Ballistics Research Manual

Ligiea / Bryndt

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

Would Apple be willing to follow Microsoft?

We have reported many times in the past on the problems problems with Apple's supply chain, especially in China. Apple is making an effort to improve the current situation and even engaged lately with Chinese environmental groups, after these groups accused some of the company's suppliers in China of various environmental violations. So, I'd like to take the opportunity and offer Apple another option: Follow Microsoft.

I know Apple doesn't like to think of itself as a follower and not a leader, especially when we're talking about Microsoft, but this might be different. As I reported on Triple Pundit, Microsoft announced that starting in 2013 it will require a cross section of its suppliers to provide reports on their adherence to the requirements listed in the existing Microsoft Vendor Code of Conduct.

"Microsoft said vendors also will be encouraged to make their reports public and that it will include a summary of information from the vendor reports in its annual Citizenship Report. This is meant not just to provide further visibility to the company’s stakeholders, but also to make vendors understand that their reporting is not going to read just by Microsoft, but will be shared with the public (at least a summary of it). Hopefully it will encourage vendors to take reporting as well as the implementation of Microsoft’s standards more seriously."

Since Apple also has a code of conduct for its suppliers and is struggling with the challenge of holding their suppliers accountable I think this step might be a good fit for them.

So what do you say Apple? Are you ready to follow Microsoft?


Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting Sustainable Reading!

Blog Action Day - Recommendations on 10 books on sustainable food

Today is Blog Action Day and this year it coincides with World Food Day, a time that focuses the world’s attention on food, so it is dedicated to food.

Why food? The Blog Action Day's team explains:

There is so much to say about food.

We use food to mark times of celebration and sorrow. Lack of access to food causes devastating famines, whilst too much is causing a generation of new health problems. It can cost the world, or be too cheap for farmers to make a living.

The way we companies produce food and drinks can provide important jobs for communities or be completely destructive to habitats and local food producers. Food can give us energy to get through the day or contain ingredients that gives us allergic reactions.

Food can cooked by highly skilled chefs with inventive flair, or mass produced and delivered with speed at the side of road. It can be incredibly healthy or complete junk and bad for your health. It can taste delicious or be a locals only delicacy.

Food is important to our culture, identity and daily sustenance and the team at Blog Action invite you to join us to talk about food.

Our contribution to this conversation are recommendations on 10 books on sustainable food topics, which we believe are important to understand the issues we're dealing with. Most of them are also personal stories so they provide great inspiration for anyone interested in making this part in their life more sustainable.

To find more posts on food visit Blog Action Day, or check #BAD11 tag on twitter.

The links of these books are mostly connected to ebook format on Amazon.com (we're taking part in Amazon's affiliate program and therefore will receive a small percentage of every purchase made using these links. We hope you don't mind!), but you can also find them in paper formats, as well as in the most eco-friendly format there is - in your local public library!

The recommended books are:

1. The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball

2. Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All by Oran Hesterman

3. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

4. Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty by Mark Winne

5. The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway

6. Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter

7. The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food by Ben Hewitt

8. Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered by Woody Tasch

9. Food Matters by Mark Bittman

10. Farmer Jane by Temra Costa

Happy Blog Action Day,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a Tree for Every Book You Read!

Beetroot Books is collaborating now with Eco-Libris (our first store in the UK!)

We're happy to announce on a new bookstore that is collaborating with Eco-Libris - Beetroot Books, the first bookstore we're working with in the UK!

This unique online bookstore is joining Eco-Libris bookstores program and will offer the store's customers the opportunity to plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our "One tree planted for this book" sticker with their new book!

Why buying books with Beetroot Books (besides the fact they're partnering with us)? Here are some convincing reasons that will also help you to get to know them better:

They specialize in titles that enable you to think, act, learn, challenge, enjoy. They’re a one stop shop for everything sustainable, alternative, green and active – for all ages. Also, every one of their books is hand-picked – if you need advice or recommendations about any of our books or subjects we’ll be willing, able and happy to help you.

They stock and promote titles from independent publishers and unpublished writers. They also donate £1 for every gardening book sold to disability charity and £1 for every children’s book sold to child literacy charity Springboard for Children. Last but not least, Beetroot Books is powered 100% by renewable energy.

Bottom line: Beetroot Books is different from corporate stores - While corporate stores care what they sell, Beetroot care on how they sell. they offer you the best prices but won’t exploit in order to do so.

You can visit them at http://www.beetrootbooks.com/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting Sustainable Reading!

Barbie is safe again - Following Greenpeace campaign Mattel will stop working with APP

Greenpeace won another important battle against APP, this time with Mattel, the largest toy company in the world and maker of the famed Barbie doll line.

We reported here couple of months ago on the ongoing Greenpeace campaign, which was both creative and funny and eventually successful - Mattel announced on a new paper policy, and one of their decisions was to direct their printers not to contract with controversial sources, including APP.

Here's Rolf Skar of Greenpeace talking about their achievement:

You can read more details as well my analysis on this latest round in the fight on of Greenpeace to prove to APP that rainforest destruction is bad for business on Triple Pundit.

More articles on Greenpeace and APP:

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) - good or bad? ITS is saying APP is good and actually Greenpeace is bad!

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) - good or bad? Rolf Skar of Greenpeace is replying to Ian Lifshitz

APP - good or bad? An interview with the sustainability manager of the world's most controversial paper company

Photo credit: Greenpeace

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

How green is the Kindle Fire - part 5: The impact on Amazon's carbon footprint and its refusal to disclose it

This is the final part of our Amazon week. After discussing if the new Kindle Fire and other new Kindles will contribute to making e-reading greener (it will), and comparing Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener (iPad 2), and it's influence on B&N (big trouble for the bookseller), and the impact of the new Kindle products on independent bookstores, we'll talk today on the influence of the new Kindle Fire on Amazon's carbon footprint the company's refusal to disclose it.

The second point is easy to start with - I doubt if Amazon will change its policy not to disclose its carbon footprint because of the release of the new Kindle products. As we saw earlier this year, even pressure from shareholders didn't make a difference for Amazon. So what might create a change in its policy? I see three possibilities: 1. Pressure from customers - if there's anything Amazon cares about, it is what customers think. 2. A Greenpeace campaign - Greenpeace knows how to it. Just ask Mattel, Nike, Adidas, Kimberly Clark and a long list of companies that changed their practices following a Greenpeace campaign. 3. An ongoing pressure from shareholders - it can work in the long-run, if more shareholders will join and pressure the company.

Now to the new Kindle's influence on Amazon's carbon footprint - it's difficult to say as so little information is disclosed, yet it is clear that with many more millions of Kindles manufactured and sold, not to mention busier cloud network, there's a good chance Amazon's footprint will increase significantly. This is why we should hope to see Amazon becoming a leader not just in technology and consumer products, but also with corporate responsibility and carbon disclosure.

To read more on how green is the Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

How green is the Kindle Fire - part 4: Can the new tablet actually benefit independent bookstores?

Today we continue with our Amazon week. After discussing if the new Kindle Fire and other new Kindles will contribute to making e-reading greener (it will), and comparing Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener (iPad 2), and it's influence on B&N (big trouble for the bookseller), we'll talk today about the impact of the new Kindle products on independent bookstores.

The good news is that indie bookstores are not invested in any tablet or e-reader like B&N, so they don't have to worry about dwindling sales of electronic products. At the same time, it's quite obvious that the launch of the Kindle Fire will only help increasing ebook sales. This is not good news for independent bookstores because ebook selling is still not one of their strengths and I don't believe it will be in the near future.

Yet, the fact that B&N is in deep trouble because of the new Kindle products offsets this negative impact on indies and in a way creates a positive one. Why? Because my guestimation is that B&N will have to put even more money on their line of Nooks and spend less and less money on their brick and mortar stores, while keep closing a growing number of them to reduce their loses.

So, for indies it means less competition when it comes to book purchasing in bookstores. It doesn't mean a rosy future and we will probably see also indie bookstores that are getting closed, but it might help them to keep their head above the water at least for the near future.

What about the long-term? That's a good question, and the answer mainly relies on the ability of indies to adopt to the 21st century challenges and to change their business model in a way that will meet tomorrow's challenges instead of yesterday's challenges. As Oren Teicher, CEO of American Booksellers Association wrote lately:

"The fact of the matter is that, for the most part, as an industry we have continued to operate using a business model that has gone largely unchanged in 60 years. While we still very much want to read and handsell our favorite titles from the past, clearly, we no longer have the luxury to continue employing business models that no longer meet the challenges of a radically different social, technological, and business environment. "

Tomorrow we'll have the final piece on our Amazon week, this time on the influence of the new Kindle Fire on Amazon's carbon footprint and if we'll see any change in the company's refusal to disclose it.

To read more news and updates on the future of bookstores go to our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/bookstores_future.asp

To read more on how green is the Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

How green is the Kindle Fire - part 3: Will it kill B&N and drive the bookseller into bankruptcy?

Today we continue with our Amazon week. After discussing if the new Kindle Fire and other new Kindles will contribute to making e-reading greener (it will), and comparing Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener (iPad 2), we'll talk today about the impact of the new Kindle products on Barnes & Noble.

First, the bottom line: B&N is in trouble. Now let's see why.

Fortune Tech wrote it very clearly: "While Barnes & Noble has made a valiant effort to keep up with the times with its innovative line of Nook e-readers, it simply can't compete with the likes of Amazon, which introduced its potentially category-killing Kindle Fire last week."

The digital activity of B&N, led by its Nook, was what saved it so far from the same faith of Borders (i.e. bankruptcy) and the focus of its future strategy. In other words, this is what B&N counts on to survive and thrive in the digital age, when brick and mortar stores are no longer cash cows.

And now with the introduction of the new Kindle Fire and the new Kindle products the competition is becoming much harder. Just look at the comparison we provided yesterday between the iPad 2, Kindle Fire and Nook Color. Why would anyone pay now $249 for Nook Color, when they can get the same if not better (updated operating system and so on) Kindle Fire for only $199?

If B&N wants to make Nook Color attractive again they have to reduce its price to at least $199, which means smaller margins for them, which means trouble.

And let's not forget Amazon also announced three more Kindles at the lower end that are priced below B&N's comparable Nooks, which again means trouble for B&N.

What about new B&N products? According to International Business Times, "BN has reportedly been moving toward launching its own new tablet, reportedly called "Acclaim." Reports have suggested the product will be priced at $349. But since Amazon has more content, including streaming movies with its Prime subscriptions, it isn't likely that a higher priced tablet will have much of a chance competing against Amazon's lower-priced tablet. So not only will BN have to slash prices on its Nook products, including the Nook Color, but the company may have already lost on the Acclaim before the public has really even heard about the product."

So, as you can see B&N has to come with an answer to Amazon and do it quickly. The question is if they have an answer and also whether they can afford it. Unfortunately I'm not sure both answers are yes, which means that B&N is indeed in trouble.

To read more of our analysis on B&N visit Barnes and Noble Bankruptcy Index on our website.

To read more on how green is the Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

More resources on the ebooks vs. paper books environmental debate can be found on our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/ebooks.asp.


Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

How green is the Kindle Fire? Amazon week - Part 2: Comparing Kindle Fire, iPad 2 and Nook Color

Yesterday we started our Amazon week to examine some of the impacts of the new Kindle Fire and other new Kindle products. Today we'll try to compare compare Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener.

First, we need to acknowledge the sad fact that currently only Apple publishes information on the carbon footprint of its device, as well as information on its eco-friendly features, such as having an arsenic-free display glass, being brominated flame retardant-free, PVC-free, and so on.

Unlike Apple, Barnes & Noble and Amazon either don't care about the environmental impacts of their devices or just don't think it worth the effort of sharing this information with their customers. Either way, Apple's leadership makes iPad 2 the greener device among the three. Once Amazon and Barnes & Noble will change their mind we could make a meaningful comparison among the three tablets. Until then, Apple's iPad 2 rules!

By the way, if you look at the features comparison between the three below, published by OSXDaily, you will see that the Kindle Fire is lighter than the other two (although it's thicker than the iPad 2), so it will be interesting to see if it also means it is more material efficient than the Nook Color and the iPad 2. Well, Bezos, we're waiting..





Tomorrow we will see what will be the impact of the new Kindle products on Barnes & Noble.


To read more on how green is your (and my) Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

More resources on the ebooks vs. paper books environmental debate can be found on our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/ebooks.asp.


Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

How green is the Kindle Fire? Amazon week - Part 1: Green impacts on e-reading

Today we start our Amazon week, following the announced of the company last week on the launch of its new tablet, Kindle Fire, and the new Amazon Kindle products (Kindle for only $79, Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G). The question we'll discuss today is are these new Kindles How making e-reading any greener?

Let's start with the bottom line. Our answer is Yes. Why? Mainly because of cheap prices and the evolution of e-reading devices:

1. Cheaper price, greater availability - "These are premium products at non-premium prices. We are going to sell millions of these." - Jeff Bezos. He's right and the new prices for both an e-reader ($79) and a tablet ($199) makes them more available for many people who couldn't afford these products so far. It is an important issue as one of the claims against e-reading was that it was one of these innovations that is only available to the rich and leaves the poor out. Well, not anymore, or at least Amazon's new prices are a big step to make this claim irrelevant.

2. Evolution of e-reading devices - It's important to mention that Amazon did not disclose the Kindle Fire's carbon footprint and given their past resistance there is a little chance they will do it later on. It means there are questions about manufacturing, the use of chemicals and other parts and so on that unlike with Apple for example are left unanswered.

Nevertheless, the contribution of the new Kindle products, both the Fire tablet and the new Kindle touchscreen e-readers are the fact that they're moving the whole market one or two steps forward. As we always said, even if right now e-readers are not as eco-friendly as we would like them to be, they will surely be so within couple of generations, and the competition between e-reader sellers is right now the most effective driver we have to ensure we're moving in that direction, seeing both e-readers and tablets that are better and in many ways more eco-friendly (the reduction in the iPad 2's carbon footprint comparing to the first iPad is a good example of this process).

So the bottom line is that the new Kindle Fire and the Kindle e-readers are contributing to greater competition in this market and therefore advancing the evolution and greening of e-reading.

Tomorrow, we'll compare Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener.

To read more on how green is your (and my) Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

More resources on the ebooks vs. paper books environmental debate can be found on our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/ebooks.asp.


Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

RAN has made it - Disney is working with RAN on a new comprehensive paper policy!

We reported here earlier this year about RAN's campaign to ensure children's books are not printed on paper linked to Indonesian rainforest destruction, which eventually was focusing on Disney Publishing.

Until now RAN said Disney has offered only empty words that do nothing to ensure the company is not still purchasing paper driving rainforest destruction. Yet, it seems like things have changed and for the better!

Last week RAN sent an update over the email saying: "Disney executives flew to San Francisco the next week to meet with RAN’s forest team. We’ve been deep in negotiations with them ever since. "

This is great news! RAN, according to their email, is working with Disney on a comprehensive paper policy that will ensure Disney stops sourcing paper from the world’s endangered forests and instead increases use of responsible alternatives like recycled paper. Negotiations are still underway and the campaign will remain active until a strong final policy is announced.

RAN reports it is (cautiously) optimistic that "Disney will do the right thing and establish a precedent-setting policy that ends its ties to forest destroyers APP and APRIL while providing a positive model for other corporations to follow. This would be a major win for the world’s forests, forest communities and Disney."

Kudos to RAN on their achievement and we definitely hope these negotiations will succeed! We'll keep you posted once we'll have more updates.

In the meantime, check RAN's website to learn more about their campaign.

Photo credit: RAN

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!