Eco-Libris is available now at Hooray for Books! in Old Alexandria, VA

Did you have the chance to visit Old Alexandria? This beautiful old town just outside Washington DC has now another exciting thing to offer: a bookstore where you can balance out your new books with Eco-Libris!

We're very happy to announce on a new bookstore from Old Alexandria: Hooray for Books!

Hooray for Books! is an independent bookstore, owned by Ellen Klein and Trish Brown, who worked at A Likely Story, and after that store closed, decided to re-open a children's bookstore at the same location in Old Town Alexandria. You can read more about them here, and here. The Washington Post ran an article about them on June 23 that you can find here.

Hooray For Books!, which is the only independent children's bookstore in Alexandria, VA, opened its doors in June 2008. They're committed to serving their community, not only by providing extraordinary customer service but also by being environmentally responsible. They believe that partnering with Eco-Libris helps us achieve both these goals.

Customers at Hooray For Books! will have the opportunity to pay $1 to plant a tree to balance each book they purchase in the store. They will also receive an Eco-Libris sticker (made of recycled paper) at the counter for each book they balance out, saying 'One tree planted for this book'.

We're very happy that our first collaboration in Virginia with such a great bookstore, and we invite everyone to visit the store and their website to learn more about them.

Store's address and contact details:

Hooray For Books!
1555 King St., Ste 101, Alexandria, VA 22314
phone: 703-548-4092
fax: 703-548-4094
e-mail: info@hooray4books.com
Web site: www.hooray4books.com

Website and blog:
Website: http://www.hooray4books.com
Blog: http://hooray4books.wordpress.com

The full list of bookstores that participate in Eco-Libris bookstores' program can be found at
http://www.ecolibris.net/bookstores.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

Good news: Americans are using less paper and recovering more!

"Each year, we are using less paper - and recovering more of what we use." This is definitely good news and it comes from a new report, 'State of the Green Business 2009' published by Greener World Media, Inc. (www.greenbiz.com).

The data reported on this excellent and detailed report shows that paper intensity, which means the amount of paper used (in thousands of tons) per billion dollars of gross domestic product, has decreased from 8.9 in 2006 to 8.4 in 2007. This is the largest decrease since 2001, when the paper intensity decreased by 0.7.

When you look ten years back, you see a greater change. In 1997, 11,400 tons of paper were used for every 1 billion GDP generated. In 2007, this figure dropped in 27% to 8,400.

Meanwhile, the report shows, the recycling rates for paper have grown from 44 to 56 percent. The data does not include 2008 figures, so we can't really learn on the impacts of the fall in the price of recycled paper, which is one of the consequences of the current economic downturn.

Since reduction in paper consumption equals budget savings, I hope that at least one good result out of this economic environment will be that more businesses and individuals will look for ways to save in paper and we'll see even a greater drop in the indicator of paper intensity on the next report next year.

The report can be downloaded for free at www.stateofgreenbusiness.com (the paper intensity info is on page 54).

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

A green publisher beats the recession!

Did all publishers do badly on 2008? Well, apparently not.

mediabistro.com GalleyCat reports that Chelsea Green Publishing, a publisher that is focusing on politics and the practice of sustainable living, actually had the best year ever!

I was very happy to read it as Chelsea Green Publishing is one of my favorite publishers, not only because of their great green books, but also because they walk the talk and exercise many green practices, including "printing 95 percent of our books on recycled paper with a minimum 30 percent post-consumer waste and aiming for 100 percent whenever possible."

The piece on mediabistro.com GalleyCat referred to an interview with Margo Baldwin, the president and publisher of Chelsea Green Publishing, on Conversational Reading. This interview was part of an ongoing series of interviews with publishers on what the recession means for their business.

I found this interview fascinating and I warmly recommend reading it. Not only that you will learn about Chelsea Green Publishing and how they manage to thrive and grow in such economic environment, but also very interesting thoughts about the future of the book industry, publishers, bookstores, and so on.

What I found especially interesting was Baldwin's explanation on the connection between the topics of their books and their success in times of recession. Baldwin explains there that "Our books do very well in recessionary times. If you want to eat, you learn how to grow your own food. If you want a house, you can learn how to build it yourself. If you want to reduce your energy use, you can figure out how to harvest your own power. Survival is a wake up call and we have the books to educate people on that front. "

So don't miss this interview and for more information on Chelsea Green Publishing please visit their website that has become an excellent resource of sustainable living news (and be sure to check their great podcasts) - www.chelseagreen.com.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

New green wrappings at Wishrap.com for Valentine's Day (and a giveaway!)

Valentine's Day is almost here (guys, I hope you have it on your calendar - February 14!) and it's time to think not only how to do something nice for your loved once, but also how to do it in a green way.

One place where you can always go green and save paper is wrapping. Did you know that in the U.S., an additional 5 million tons of waste is generated during the holidays and four million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags?

So what you can do? well, there are many ways to make packaging more eco-friendly. If you look for a specific recommendation, one company that is also taking steps about it is Wishrap.com. They're launching new environmentally-friendly packaging with two featured Valentine's Day packages - Double Shot of Love and Nuts About You.

The new bags and boxes for these gifts are made of a natural jute fiber - a plant that is harvested and grows faster than bamboo and in a smaller footprint. The included cards and tissue are made of post-consumer recycled paper and the boxes and bags are reusable, designed with practicality in mind so that they can be reused over and over again. The boxes are collapsible, great for storage, and the bags make great reusable totes.

Wishwrap.com is a unique gift site that puts the thoughtfulness back into gift giving. Every Wishwrap gift comes with a custom greeting card created especially for the recipient and is "wishwrapped" in luxurious packaging at no extra cost. The two featured Valentine's Day packages will be the first to ship in the new green packaging, which will then be transitioned in for all packages.

For further details on their offers please visit their website at www.wishwrap.com.

And we have a special giveaway!

Wishrap.com are giving away cool set of plantable greeting cards. Each card is handprinted with soy-based ink on 100% recycled paper embedded with seeds. The card itself is biodegradable and can be planted in the backyard or a community garden, all set to flourish. The set includes two cards with wildflowers and a third with basil and chives.

To get a chance to win this cool prize please add a comment to this post with the best gift you gave or received for Valentine's Day.

Submissions are accepted until Valentine's Day, February 14, 12PM EST. We will pick the comment we liked best and the winner will be announced the following day.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

Green book of the week: 'I Can Save the Earth' (and a great giveaway!)

Last September we announced on our collaboration with Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing in an educational contest - I CAN SAVE THE EARTH!. This was in a celebration of their new line of eco-friendly children’s books, Little Green Books (if you want to know who won the contest and their stories, check out our blog next week!)

We're covering all the Little Green Books and today we have the pleasure to present you with a book with the most optimistic and positive name you can think about.

Our book for today is:

I Can Save the Earth!

Author: Alison Inches

Illustrated by: Viviana Garofoli

Ages: 4 - 6

Description: Meet Max the Little Monster. He is a cute, furry green monster who is an environmental nightmare. Among other things, he leaves on all the lights, keeps his computer plugged in, blasts the TV, hoards his old toys and uses so much toilet paper it clogs the toilet until finally, his excessive ways cause a power outage.

With no TV to watch, computer to play on, video games to play with, Max finds there is a whole big world outside that he can make a difference in the environment. A kid-friendly glossary of terms is included in the back of the book.

This 8x8 paperback is perfect bound and will be printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy-ink. The paper is FSC certified.

After reading the book, I thought it would be great to talk about it with the author, Alison Inches (see photo below), and learn more about 'behind the scenes' of this book. Alison agreed to share her thoughts with us and here is the full interview with her:

Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to write this book?

I love monsters and monster-ish behavior. Monsters have bad behavior and bad habits. It’s fun for kids to seem themselves in a little monster. I also love books that present a new way of to look at things. If we take notice of the little things in nature, like a seashell or a snowflake, then maybe we’ll develop a love for our beautiful planet and a desire to protect it. I love the natural world and live next to a nature reserve. I run in the hills daily with friends. We see deer, coyotes, owls, hawks, and bobcat—even an occasional mountain lion or wild boar. We never tire of talking about the beauty of the natural environment. Even when I lived in New York City, I had to have my daily dose of fresh air.

How did you come up with the character of Max the Little Monster?

The little monster in me wanted a monster character and the name “Max” came from my 6-year old. He has a good friend named, Max, and asked if the character could be named after his friend. Hope Max doesn’t mind being a monster…!

What's the reaction of kids to Max and his "anti-environmental behavior" at the beginning of the story? do they immediately understand it's wrong to do what he's doing or it takes them some time to get it?

Kids love Max the Little Monster, because he’s so devilish. Five and 6 year olds get it right away. They think it’s funny that Max clogs the toilet and flings his candy wrappers, but they also know they’d get in trouble if they did it themselves. Three and four year olds are more apt to say, “WOW! Let’s go stuff toilet paper down the toilet! It takes this age a little more time to get it.

What's the most important change Max is going through?

The most important change for Max is his discovery of seeing the world in a new way. I LOVE how he appreciates all the details—like the moon and stars or the colorful fall leaves. It makes my heart sing to think of it!

What is the main lesson you want children to learn from this story?

The main lesson I’d like children to learn is: Look around, the earth is SO beautiful! Let’s love it and appreciate it together.

This book is both fun and educational. How do you balance between the two so kids can both enjoy and learn from the book?

I try to see everything through a child’s eyes. How can I show them the earth has need of them? Then I come up with a story that kids can relate to—something where they can see themselves. Also, I’ll pretty much stop at nothing to win over a child’s affections! Nothing makes me happier than to make a kid laugh—or in this case—appreciate the world they live in.

A kid-friendly glossary of terms is included in the back of the book, which is an excellent idea. Shouldn't we have one for every green book for little kids?

Yes! We should have a glossary of terms in every green book! Kids are the earth’s greatest advocates. Arm them with knowledge and they go straight to work.

The text is accompanied with the beautiful illustrations of Viviana Garofoli. Can you tell us more about it?

I’ve never met Viviana Garofoli, but I’m sure she’s a kindred spirit. Her illustrations are so accessible and kid-friendly. She brought Max the Little Monster to life.

How important to you is the fact that the book is produced in an eco-friendly way and is made of 100% recycled paper?

I love that Max is produced in an eco-friendly way. It makes the story more than words. It puts words into ACTION. What’s not to love?!

What's your next book is going to be about? Are you planning to write more green-themed books for children in the future?

I have two more Little Green Book on the way: Adventures of a Plastic Bottle and Adventures of an Aluminum Can. Max will be back with a second adventure, but that’s a secret for now. Stay tuned!! I’d love to write more green books in the future.

Thanks, Alison!

This is also a good opportunity to update you that Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing launched last month www.SimonLittleGreen.com, their updated website devoted to our Little Green and Big Green Help titles. The site includes a family-friendly blog, interactive games, earth-friendly downloadable activities, green tips (including tips of Eco-Libris), a green glossary, a partner page and more! We'll cover this new website more thoroughly very soon so stay tuned!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing are giving away one package of the 4 books published so far in the Little Green Books line: Little Panda, Little Monkey, I Can Save the Earth! and The Polar Bears' Home.

This is a great prize and firstly we thank Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for it! How do you get a chance to win this prize? please add a comment below with an answer for the following question: what's your (or your kid's) favorite monster? don't forget to share with us the story/reason for the monster you picked..

Submissions are accepted until Sunday, February 15, 12PM EST. We will pick the comment we liked best and the winner will be announced the following day.

More relevant links:

Review of 'Little Monkey' and 'Little Panda': http://ecolibris.blogspot.com/2008/10/mondays-green-books-serieslittle-panda.html

An interview with Lara Bergen, the author of 'The Polar Bears' Home'

I CAN SAVE THE EARTH! contest web page

On Eco-Libris website: http://www.ecolibris.net/littlegreenbooks.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

www.ecolibris.net

How investors can save the forests? check out the Ethical Corporation Magazine

We discussed here in the past ideas and programs that were offered to save forests and prevent deforestation. The bottom line was always the same: living trees should have a greater monetary value than dead trees. This is the best incentive to keep them alive.

Now you can read about it more on the latest issue of the Ethical Corporation Magazine. In this issue published on 1 February, the magazine shows how investors could make money and save trees through market-based schemes for rainforest conservation.

The magazine describes what you are expected to find on their report: "In an in-depth special report, Ethical Corporation magazine looks at the financial instruments being devised to protect rainforests, such as carbon offsets for avoided deforestation, and asks whether they can work for investors and tropical regions."

The main opportunity for investors stems from the carbon market. Carbon financing based on forest protection wasn't permitted under the Kyoto Protocol, but as we reported in the past, it was discussed in the U.N.’s Bali meeting in December 2007 (and also in Poznan in 2008), and though it is not approved yet, there's a good chance it will be part of the post-Kyoto protocol that will replace in 2012 and should be finalized in Copenhagen later on this year.

So since we're talking about an instrument that hasn't been approved yet, there are definitely some risks involved, but accordingly of course investors are seeing better pricing (and returns). It's a very interesting and important subject and this article is definitely worth reading (subscription is required).

What else you can find on this issue? check it out here - http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=6307

More articles about relevant issues:

Al Gore and Wangari Maathai calls the U.N. General Assemby to support protection of forests

Merrill Lynch is investing in forest protection

How to deal with the growing deforestation in the Amazon rain forest?

Prince Charles wants to team up with Norway to save forests

Preserving forests to fight global warming

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

Everything you always wanted to know about the Paper Industry (or at least 15 facts)

Is there anything we don't know yet about the paper industry and its environmental impacts?

Well, I always find new facts that amaze me. This time it's a link I received on Green Line Paper Company's newsletter (thanks to Steve Baker!) - 15 Facts About the Paper Industry, Global Warming and the Environment.

It's from 2007 but still very relevant. It was published on the daily green and these facts are courtesy of The State of the Paper Industry, a report (very recommended!) published online by the Environmental Paper Network (EPN) that lately launched a great new website entitles 'What's In Your Paper'.

So did you know that the paper industry is the 4th largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions among United States manufacturing industries (fact no.6) or that printing and writing papers use the least amount of recycled content -- just 6%. Tissues use the most, at 45%, and newsprint is not far behind, at 32% (fact no. 11)?

I'm sure you will find at least one fact that you didn't know about, and unfortunately it will probably won't be a positive one, but in order to change reality we must know the facts first!

You can find the full list of facts at http://www.thedailygreen.com/print-this/environmental-news/latest/7447

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net