Author Anna Pitt,
Illustrated by Toni Lebusque
Publisher: Green Lanes
Publishing 2012
172 pages ISBN 978-09574637-0-7
The author aims to make us more
aware of environmental actions in our homes that we could do something about.
It also gives, as the title promises, 101 tips on small, free and often very
simple things we could do to reduce our environmental impact. The author
explains her definitions of ‘clean and green’ as avoiding pollution and waste
and caring for the planet.
Sections in this book look at
reducing food waste; saving water, energy and fuel; recycling; reusing. All
sections have science facts, maths number-crunching and tips; the latter
presented using cartoon illustrations and humour.
We learn about gases and toxic
leachate liquid produced at landfill sites and about food waste processing
sites. The maths includes how much CO2 emissions are reduced when
food waste is diverted from landfill and the financial savings to families.
Alongside ‘carbon footprint’
which people are generally familiar with, we learn about the ‘water footprint
of avoidable food waste’. ‘Embedded
water footprint’ is the amount of water needed to produce 1 lb of food - beef
tops the lot with 6810 litres per lb, goat with 480 litres and potatoes 450
litres.
Fossil fuels, biodiesel from
crops and our increasing carbon footprint are clearly explained.
Saving energy, we learn, can be
as simple as not leaving phone chargers plugged in all night and it ‘is
estimated that up to 40% of the energy we consume is actually wasted’ (p.53).
My favourite everyday kitchen tip
was number 27 - use a measuring jug when adding water to the kettle so you only
heat the water you need.
The chatty style of this book
will appeal to older teens and young adults. It can help families starting
their journey to reduce their environmental impact. It is practical, easy to
read book with handy tips.
Alona Sheridan
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