Green Options

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Island Press is marking the 20th anniversary of ‘global warming’ as a term entering the public consciousness with a free electronic copy of The Challenge of Global Warming, an early book addressing the issue.

On June 23, 1988, NASA Scientist James E. Hansen testified on Capitol Hill before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Hansen told the Senate committee that global warming was real – and was happening now.

Other news sources also had articles and coverage of the 20th anniversary of ‘global warming.’ Links to some of those stories can also be found on the Island Press site.

Often the second banana to the world of knitting, crochet is steadily gaining more followers thanks to just how easy it is to pick up the hobby. Instead of using two needles, all you need is a ball of yarn and a crochet hook to create everything from toys and toaster covers to sweaters and stylish accessories.

For the first book on our Top 5 Must-Have DIY Crochet Tomes list, most knitters will recognize Debbie Stoller as the editor-in-chief of Bust Magazine and the writer of all three Stitch ‘N Bitch books. Crafters were both surprised and delighted when she released Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker in 2006.

Similar to her first Stitch ‘N Bitch book about knitting, The Happy Hooker is an introduction to the history and process of crochet as well as a kick-ass pattern book. Whether you are an experienced knitter or new to fiber crafts all together, The Happy Hooker is the perfect first crochet book for everyone.

Crochet shares some similarities with knitting. One major likeness is that the more you know, the more likely you are to make a mistake. No crocheters’ bookshelf would be complete without The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask by Edie Eckman.

With line illustration, charts, details on tools, specific techniques, standard crochet abbreviations, common crochet terms and phrases, standard body measurements and sizing, suggested sizes for accessories and household items, and yarn care symbols; this is the only book you will need when your loops and hooks don’t look right.

Answers to detailed questions about all aspects of crochet is the feature element of the book, with chapters on gauge, circles, edges, and finishing. Thanks to Edie’s support, you will feel more confident to progress into more detailed crochet patterns and projects.

After the immense enjoyment I got from Gaia Girls - Enter the Earth, I had some high expectations for the second book in the Gaia Girls series. I’m happy to say that author Lee Welles delivered yet again!

With the first tome based around the element of earth, the second tome is all about water (as the title suggests). Miho’s scientist parents were lost at sea and she now has to move to Japan to live with her uncle. Though she speaks no Japanese and has never met her uncle, she has no other choice but to move in with her only living relative.

While visiting the beach house of her grandparents (who have already passed on), Miho meets the already infamous otter, Gaia. Miho is quickly swept up in the excitement of being able to talk to all the creatures of the sea and makes friends with a large group of dolphins. Of course, her adult uncle thinks she is nuts and simply can’t follow orders when he tells her to be home at a certain time and she continues to come home dripping wet.

Finding fiction to enjoy has aways been a challenge for me. Thankfully, that issue didn’t arise while I was reading the first book of Lee Welles’ Gaia Girls series titled Enter the Earth. (Full disclosure: Lee Welles writes for this blog, but I was assigned to review her books before she came on board.) The premise of her series, listed as for ages 9 and up, is as follows:

What would you do if you could hear the Earth asking for help? In the Gaia Girls book series, that is what happens to four girls, each from a different region of the world. They are approached by Gaia, the living organism of the Earth. Each is endowed with powers over one of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. They must learn to use their powers to help Gaia survive the effects of modern humanity.

The first book centers around a girl named Elizabeth Angier and one very eventful summer at her family farm in New York state. She and the family’s undeniably lovable dog Maizey take on a big business factory farming operation that is trying to buy up all the farms in her town. On top of that, her best friend is moving not only out of town but out of state to Florida. Just as her troubles start to reach their boiling point, Elizabeth is greeted by an eager otter named Gaia who will change her world forever.

California Healthy is a new guide book written by Patricia Hamilton, a native Californian. The book claims to be "The adventurer’s guide to local delicacies, fine wine, great walks and the good life." While it doesn’t do all that it purports, it certainly is a useful tool in some regards. As a native to the state myself, I was impressed with some of

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Second-hand and vintage stores (as well as most household closets) are bursting at the seams with unwanted and rarely-worn clothes. Instead of sending them to a landfill, or using even more resources to make and purchase new items, why not turn this seeming wardrobe "trash" into treasure? With a pair of scissors, some thread, and even the most basic
sewing machine, you can turn shapeless sweaters, tacky t-shirts, and portly pants into stylish and functional pieces. Inspiration and easy-to-follow instructions are

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Editor’s Note: In this week’s Ecogeek of the week, Hank Green interviews Ron Pernick, author of The Clean Tech Revolution.

Maybe my ears are just pointed in a very specific direction, but it seems rare when a day passes and I don’t hear someone extolling the possibilities of clean technology. But it’s not entirely clear what clean technology encompasses and how this very broad new category of technology is going to benefit our world in

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Clint Wilder has taken up residence at the crux of the cleantech movement. Whether he’s hailing the mainstreaming of cleantech on Clean Edge’s website or touring the countrywith his new book, The Cleantech Revolution, (co-authored by Ron Pernick), he’s ready and willing to give you the skinny on just about any cleantech-related topic.

At heart of it, Clint and Ron’s new book is about [...]

A TV show, successful book series, a new DVD … and that is just the beginning! "Danny Seo is living proof that you can save the world without sacrificing style.," according to Elle Magazine. Danny, 29, encourages America to live a greener lifestyle. His first lifestyle book Conscious Style Home (St. Martin's Press; 2001) chronicles his renovation

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Practice what you preach: great advice. Sometimes, however, it's even better just to practice and leave all of the preaching behind. But how can we get the message across to some of our non- or light-green friends, without sounding preachy? Sometimes it's as easy as giving a gift.

Not everyone can check Green Options' Tip o' the Day everyday, though we hear more and more people are making it part of their daily ritual! For those

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There is a book for every mood, hobby, interest, and desire. We can choose to learn something new, or just escape reality for a short time. Reading is one of the greatest pastimes around.

Now, even shopping for books has become a form of entertainment. People pile into the giant bookstores on the weekends, lattes in hand, browsing through pages as they sip.

As this trend has increased, many have forgotten about the

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