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How Bad Are Bananas?

the Carbon Footprint of Everything
Dec 27, 2011ghreads rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The purpose of this book is to provide a sense of the carbon impact – i.e. the climate change impact – of everything we do, to help us develop an instinct for the carbon cost of our decisions. It analyzes the footprint of almost 100 items, including the complete supply chain of each item. The calculation of carbon emissions is far from an exact science but the book provides an excellent comparative framework. The discussions around each item analyze all the considerations and implications involved, often raising issues we might not have been aware of. There are also quite a few surprises along the way, some of them unpleasant. There were a few spots where I felt a consideration was not addressed but these were rare. The author also points out where our efforts toward sustainability can have the greatest effect – he helps us choose our battles. The sub-title of the book would lead one to expect a very dry read but this is not the case. The book flows easily, is very readable and is often humorous. This book is a very worth-while read for anyone who seriously wants to reduce his carbon footprint. It provides an excellent starting point for analyzing our own life-styles and can help inform the choices we make.