Waste
Everyone now recognises that we can't go on with our comfortable lifestyles, but few of us are willing to face up to what that means in practice.
You can reserve and read Saving Gaia, the book by James Lovelock - who originated the sometimes controversial concept of "Gaia" - if you want a general view of the state of the environment.
Or you can find out how Judith Levine, an American journalist, coped with her pledge to avoid consumer spending in, Not buying it: my year without shopping
However big the challenge we face, even small changes can have a positive effect. For example, sorting our waste and taking out items like metal and plastics that can be recycled adds up to tons of material that is re-used and not sent to landfill.
Failure to do more to recycle not only hurts the environment unnecessarily, but will cost Merthyr Tydfil residents many thousands of pounds if we fail to meet targets set by Government.
Learn more about Merthyr Tydfil's War on Waste
Check the Welsh Assembly funded Welsh Consumer Council site for more information about sustainable living in Wales
Read a BBC news report on waste reduction targets in Wales
You can visit many commercial sites with aids to changing your lifestyle, like homerecycling.co.uk (we don't recommend any commerical service, but we can help you to find them)
We have a section of "Eco-Books" that look at a range of practical things that we can do to reduce waste and our negative impact on the environment. This is just a selection of the topics:
Alterative energy demystified by Stan Gibilisco. McGraw-Hill, 2006
" Covering the environment, transportation, efficiency and cost, this book is suitable for engineering and science students, teachers and consumers"
69 uses for a water bottle by Jon Dutton and Kathy Ready. Absolute Press, 2003.
"A small-format gift book with 69 quite invaluable suggestions for what to do with a used plastic water bottle. Wonderful cartoons illustrate these clever hand-crafted contraptions" Review
The New Wood burners Handbook by Stephen Bushway. Storey Books, 1992.
"A guide to safe, healthy, and efficient wood burning...all the information necessary to heat a home economically and safely, while safeguarding the environment for ourselves and our children. Review
The Walking Bus - A safe way for children to walk to school Friends of the Earth
"Answers all your questions about setting up a neighbourhood walking bus for junior school children. It also explains why such local schemes can significantly help to cut car congestion and pollution." Details
More about Walking Bus and the "School-run" here
Dumping the Diaper! Sustainable Wales Real Nappy Campaign Report
"An important publication from Sustainable Wales...a DIY guide on setting up a real nappy project. A must for all waste/recycling professionals". Sustainable Wales
The Complete Idiot's guide to solar power for your home by Dan Ramsey Alpha Books, 2002
A good basic guide and starting point to reduce your dependence on present energy sources and harvest the free energy provided by the sun.
Solar Water Heating by Paul Trimby. C.A.T., 1996
"Build your own Solar Water heating system - the
principles, installation details and resource list.
And it actually works!" Source
How to make Biodiesel by Dave Derby and Jon Halle.
"How To Make Biodiesel is a practical guide to how to make diesel fuel from vegetable oil. It covers the environmental benefits of biodiesel, gives a beginners' guide to the chemistry involved, step by step instructions, and also explains the legal situation for making biodiesel in the UK." County Bookshop review.
A different perspective
-273.15 by Peter Reading. Bookaxe Books, 2005
"One of Britain's most original and controversial poets turns his attention to the destruction of the world's wildlife and environment.
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You can reserve any item in lending stock.