ECO LIBRIS SUSTAINABLE READING CAMPAIGN

Its time once again for the annual Eco-Libris Campaign.

As blogged before this event joins bloggers, readers and greenies in an attempt to encourage "Sustainable Reading."

Launched in 2009 by Eco-Libris, this campaign is aiming to promote “green” books by reviewing 200 books printed on recycled paper or FSC-certified paper. Choosing recycled and FSC certified paper helps protect the world’s forests, species and climate. Deforestation accounts for an estimated 20% of global carbon emissions, more than the emissions from the transportation, aviation and IT industries combined. By turning a spotlight on books printed using environmental paper, we want to raise the awareness of book buyers to this issue and encourage them to take it into consideration when purchasing books.

Participating publishers include among others Penguin Group, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, McClelland & Stewart, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Sterling Publishing, DK Publishing, Harvard Business Press, Island Press, North Atlantic Books, McGraw-Hill, ABRAMS and Picador.

I am still a hold out on books preferring the tangible feel of hard or soft cover vs the e-book variety but however you choose to read just read!

The book I selected was Green Lighting. How Energy Efficient Lighting can Save You Energy and Money and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint, by Brian Clark Howard, William J. Brinsky and Seth Leitman.




Okay long title, thin book, big on info and small on price. Amazon has it available both in paperback or Kindle at the low price of 9.99. That is a great deal for a great book.

The book details the advantages and intention of why one should re-examine your lighting choices. From CFL lightbulbs to LED's they give you full explanations on the advantages and disadvantages of each.

But they also go into details illustrating different types of lighting, lamp and lighting choices and design strategies. On that note holiday times are coming and its time to look at the kind of lighting you use to decorate the home.

They also discuss the types of fixtures and controls available to help use, monitor and reduce your lighting use. A simple dimmer switch can save significant energy and is relatively easy and inexpensive to install.

The most useful chapter is Lighting Best Practices and Daylighting. They illustrate ways to maximize both indoor and outdoor lighting uses and current alternatives that can be used to reduce energy use. The most common is the solar outdoor lights. Perhaps the most affordable and easy option but also motion lights or timers that can be adjusted for maximum use when needed.

Thinking about lighting. We don't. We turn it on when needed and often leave it on even when not. Looking at the design of lighting, the type of lighting in your home can make significant impact on your energy bills. Do you really need that overhead or can a table/floor lamp do? Rather than canned lights track lights may be more than adequate as they offer directional lighting where needed most.

Lighting its something we take advantage of and its a terrible thing to waste.


And while at it thank the great people of Eco-Libris for bringing all good things about books and publishing green to light.