Book Review
Title: 50 Ways To Make Your House And Garden Greener
Author: Sian Berry
Publisher: Kyle Cathie Ltd., Raincoast Books
Released: March 1^st 2008
Pages: 127
ISBN: 978-1-85626-772-4 

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey (Ontario Correspondent - Canada) 

I've jumped on the Green bandwagon, in fact, I did so in the late 80s when I was inundated with environmental information at school. Bette Midler's ‘Pick Up Your Garbage' campaign had a huge impact on my impressionistic young mind. At the time, I learned how to recycle and even taught my Mother how to separate the glass and plastics. From then on we made recycling a ritual family experience. It wasn't good enough though. More needed to be done.

Over the last two years I've made a conscious effort to do more environmentally friendly actions; to be more of a gentle human to this planet we all call home. When I think of Vegas, ‘the city of lights,' and I wander if unplugging a light bulb in my house makes a difference; I believe it does. In the last year I've halved my electric and gas bills, use a clothesline to dry my clothes, and recycle dishwater for my plants, I use one garbage bag a month and above all, reduce, reuse, recycle. These have become exciting challenges for me, and Sian Berry's book 50 Ways To Make Your House And Garden Greener was the ultimate test of my recent lifestyle transformations. Of the 50 ways, Berry outlines the basics, for those who are just starting out on their journey of eco-change, and others provide useful suggestions for the more advanced environmentalist. I was pleased to discover I am only not doing six of the items that she lists, and in some cases aren't feasible at the present time (I won't be stripping my walls so I can repaint them with environmentally friendly paint). Two were on my to-do list for this year - obtain rain barrels and a composter.

50 Ways is a book that is easy to ready, easy to reference and full of useful ideas. Of course, it is printed on 100% recycled paper! Berry makes the science of living successfully with the environment around us an exciting and joyous experience, and although my love for books about humanities impending doom still exists, I found this an uplifting and empowering read. I will also further recycle this book by loaning it to family, friends, and anyone else seeking out ways to be more eco-friendly. With Sian Berry's 50 Ways To Make Your House And Garden Greener, my goal to be Canada's version of England's Penny Poyser (‘No Waste Like Home' on HGTV) is easily within my grasp! 

Sian Berry has also wrote other books in her 50 Ways collection, such as: 50 Ways To Be  A Greener Shopper, 50 Ways To Greener Travel, and 50 Ways To Save Water & Energy.