donnamr's Full Review: John Javna, Jesse Javna, Spohie Javna - 50 Simple ...
John Javna first introduced 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth in 1989. It was an instant success. But Javna was disappointed, because, while the book spurned interest in environmental issues, he believed that people misunderstood. People apparently thought that, if they stopped using plastic bags at the grocery store, for example, they were saving the earth. It was too simple. He became disillusioned that real change would ever occur.
Years later, his fervor was reborn when he realized his children were among the inheritors of the earth. It must be saved for them. In 2008, he has updated the book with his son and daughter, Jesse and Sophie. He states his intent clearly: “Random acts of environmental kindness are fine, but we’re out to turn things around. That means finding ways to make a long-term commitment comfortably."
Long-Term Comfortable Commitment
Javna contacted 50 environmental organizations and requested information on one significant issue. Some of the organizations are well-known, such as the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club. Others are little groups whose impact is no less significant.
The authors took each of those issues and developed a starting plan to deal with it. The suggestions range from the simple (planting the right kind of trees and caring for them) to grassroots organizing and lobbying.
The book doesn’t lay out comprehensive plans to carry out a full-blown environmental program. Instead, the authors suggest picking a targeted issue, such as trees, solar energy, organic products, coral reefs, use of plastic, birds, water consumption, mercury reduction, parks, deforestation, warming, cleaning up mines, electric cars, etc. Making a significant impact in one area goes a long way.
Organization of the Book
The overall presentation of the issues is a bit haphazard. There is no logical order, and some related chapters are scattered rather than grouped together. That’s the only drawback I see to this incredible little book.
As each issue is discussed, the internal organization of the information is very strong. The discussion of each issue is organized as follows:
• Background – 1 or 2 short introductory paragraphs that orient the reader to the issue
• Did You Know – a series of 5 or 6 facts or statistics that lay out the problem. For example, in the chapter on trees, facts are given about what we lose with each tree that is harvested: the number of gallons of storm water a tree returns to the soil, the amount of greenhouse gases it can absorb, and the amount of oxygen it supplies.
• What You Can Do – this section includes information on the organization that one can work with to get further information, as well as the general goal. In the same chapter on trees, the goal is not only to plant trees in the community, but to plant the right kind and take care of them so they reach the age when they can really affect the environment (takes 8-15 years!)
• Start Simple – suggestions for preparing to do something significant. For example, study the trees in the neighborhood. Find out what kind they are and what they do for the environment.
• Steps for Success – several ideas to get started. Research the types of trees and what would be best for the neighborhood. Suggestions for planting with friends, groups, or organizations. Resources to get started. Short and long-term activities.
A Resource on Resources
The goal of this book is to get people started on a long-term plan - not just something like changing the types of light bulbs they use (though that can help), but making that part of an overall plan. To help, Javna packs the pages full of resources. Names of organizations, websites, books, movies, legislative action groups, and more are offered on every page. Anyone reading this book and saying they don’t know where to go to get started isn’t paying attention!
In addition, a list of the 50 contributing partner organizations is listed in the back of the book, with a brief description of what they do.
In Conclusion
This isn’t just a book that lists the little things you can do around the house. This goes beyond stuff like “plan all your errands in one trip to save gas.” That’s nice, but the overall impact isn’t what Javna is talking about.
The book lays out 50 choices for readers, and then offers 50 reasonable plans that can really make a difference. I found some of these intriguing – things I wouldn’t have thought I could do to make a difference.
One of the points the authors make repeatedly is that the more people who demand change, the more the change will occur. Getting involved and being committed is the important thing. This book offers clear guidance on how to get started and where to get help, as well as laying out options to the consumer that range from simple everyday adjustments to full-blown commitments of involvement.
I think that 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth is an essential part of the library of the environmentally aware and active citizen.
__________
This Epinion is an entry in Pambo's Earth Day Write-Off.
When Javna self-published this title in 1990, the American Green movement was still in its infancy. As awareness and concern about the environment hav...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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