Eco-Briefs: Quick Guides for the Eco-conscious

There are so many global challenges we must contend with -– poverty, pollution, cruelty, injustice -– that it can be difficult to get a grasp on them or know where to begin to take positive action. As part of his work helping individuals, businesses and other organizations make more socially responsible choices, IHE HECP graduate Roberto Giannicola has created a series of Eco-Briefs, 30-40 page ebooks that serve as “quick guides for the aspiring eco-conscious.”

Each Eco-Brief offers an overview of the issues surrounding the topic of focus, as well as quotes, factoids, graphs and charts, and other useful elements that help draw a clear picture of the topic and what concerned citizens can do to enact change. The tips and strategies given include ideas not only for the home, but for positive changes that businesses can make. The Eco-Briefs also include recommended books, websites and other resources. Because Roberto’s company, Provokare, is based in California, some of the resources provided are specific to that area. But, there are plenty of useful suggestions.

So far Roberto has created Eco-Briefs on the following topics:

• Consumerism
• Factory Farming: Health & Environment
• Greening the Workplace
• School Lunch Waste
• Toxic Chemicals: Health & Environment
• Water
  

and he is in the process of creating ebooks focused on topics such as human suffering, the oceans, population, and prejudices and privileges.

I think my favorite Eco-Brief is the one on School Lunch Waste, for which Roberto did a detailed survey of waste generated by the school lunches in his daughter’s elementary school. The images and charts that outline his analysis of the amounts and types of waste generated really illuminated the amount of food waste that occurs in nearly every school in the U.S.

The Eco-Briefs offer a nice combination of information, images and tips that educate and inspire, but don’t overwhelm. Even though, as a humane educator, I already know quite a bit about these issues, I was able to learn more and was inspired to make additional changes in my daily choices.

The Eco-Briefs come as PDF files that are easily downloadable from Roberto’s website for a reasonable price of $5. A sample PDF of each is available to view.

Note: IHE will also be offering these Eco-Briefs for sale in the near future.

~ Marsha

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