If you are a reader like me, you might want to dig deeper into specific topics. Below, excellent ‘sustainable proof’ books! And remember: Information is power…

Read ‘Hot, Flat and Crowded’ by Thomas Friedman if you want more information on how to deal with this hot (global warming), flat (globalization) and crowded (boomed population growth). He suggests embracing clean energy and green technology industries: a shift from IT (Information Technology) to ET (renewable Environmental Technologies). I couldn’t agree more.

With the book and movie ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, Al Gore managed to get the topic of global warming in the spotlight on the center stage and around the world. That was just phenomenal. One thing was missing though: how to deal with the crisis, where to start solving the problem. With ‘Our Choice’, Al Gore has made the next step by providing all the information about how to undertake the most difficult transition: from an economy that burns fossil fuels to an economy that lives mostly on the incoming power of the sun in its many forms. You may find information on forests and soils and how they might be made to sequester more carbon, on wind turbines and solar power and geothermal energy or biomass.

Another unmissable book on your shelf is definitely ‘Cradle to Cradle’, waste = food by William McDonough’ and Michael Braungart. The book calls for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. ‘McDonough and Braungart make the case that an industrial system that “takes, makes and wastes” can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value.’ We are going to hear much more of this idea, so you better understand what it means.

So many books about climate change, which one to choose? Try ‘Controlling Climate Change’ by Bert Metz. Not too much technical jargon and certainly providing for a comprehensive discussion on what we can do to solve the problem of man-made climate change. It addresses key questions, such as what will happen if climate change is not controlled? What measures can we take, in the main economic sectors, with currently known technologies and what do they cost? What policies are needed to make economically and technically feasible measures a reality? What policies work and do not work? What is the role of international agreements in controlling climate change? And how do international climate negotiations work?

‘The Food Revolution’ by John Robbins, the best book ever written on the meat industry and vegetarianism. It reveals the truth about popular diets, genetically modified foods, mad cow disease, and the health effects of what you eat. Definitely a must have.

Read ‘Eating Animals’ by Jonathan Saffran Foer, and you will hear a compassionate story about his decision to become a vegetarian, for himself, his son, the animals and the planet. Definitely not a promotion for vegetarianism, but a well-balanced book with opinions from all stakeholders, from meat producer to environmental activist and very well-narrated.

To walk the talk, to live green in NYC, I certainly needed some support, some good advice. These 2 books gave me the deepest insights in living green in NY, the big apple where everything is possible: Greenopia and the Big Green Apple. If you visit me or take a short holiday to the Apple, rent or buy these books (or visit me).

Are you the next eco-chick or wanting to become a more fashionable gorgeously green women? Read these 2 books: ‘The eco-chick how to be fabulously green guide to life’ by Starre Vartan and ‘Gorgeously Green, 8 simple steps to an Earth-Friendly life’ by Sophie Uliano, and there you go!