50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth

This book presents a collection of ways for individuals and groups to combat specific environmental problems. It is divided into four sections. The first section provides a brief overview of environmental issues including the greenhouse effect, air pollution, ozone depletion, acid rain, extinction, groundwater pollution, solid waste, and energy and water conservation. The second section describes simple projects that facilitate the integration of an environmental consciousness into lifestyle choices cited as requiring the least amount of effort. Topics deal with junk mail, detergents, faucets, water heaters, paint, automobile tires, refrigerators, water conservation, gasoline, freon, batteries, grocery bags, toxic chemicals, lawn care, styrofoam products, pets, consumer product awareness, motor oil, and energy. The activities in the third section are cited as requiring a little more effort than those in section 2. Topics include recycling, precycling, cloth diapers, landscaping, energy conservation, rain forests, pesticide alternatives, household hazardous wastes, and carpooling. The final section contains seven activities cited as requiring the most commitment to environmental health of all the activities in the book. Topics include composting, graywater, alternatives to automobile transportation, diet, recycling program development, and landscaping. Along with providing helpful tips on purchasing and using products, conservation techniques for natural resources, facts, and general information, the material includes addresses for organizations from which additional information can be obtained. (MCO)