|
Book
Review:
Footprint
By John Patterson
Reviewed by:
Kate Lundin
& Richard Taylor
John Patterson's Footprint takes on a serious subject in a
sincere, entertaining and straightforward manner. This pocket-sized
book gives the reader a compact, current and relevant overview of the
current global situation in regards to increasing CO2 (carbon
dioxide) levels in our atmosphere, and how that is directly affecting
our climate stability.
Using easy-to-understand analogies, the story allows the
reader to follow the author's personal journey towards lowering his
personal carbon footprint, and empowers the reader to do the same.
John offers over a hundred energy-reducing tips, ranging from simple
to complex. Because it is written in a condensed format, fans of
Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded, will find this book much easier to
pass on and recommend to friends and colleagues interested in
learning more. |
 |
The energy culture of post World War II America has
been characterized by opulent cars and cheap energy. Global warming,
which quietly began 200 years earlier with the advent of the
industrial revolution, now showed itself in the disconcerting form of
climate change. In the last two decades, with China joining the
party, the threat has become unsettling enough that world leaders
have been meeting to try to come up with an answer.
Rather than concentrating on a political or a scientific
solution, Footprint focuses on the individual's role as an energy
consumer. Dozens of energy saving tips, most of which cost little or
nothing, demonstrate how Americans can reduce their personal carbon
footprint by at least 50% regardless of where and how they live. With
charming and captivating illustrations this delightful 260-page
journey takes the reader from energy oblivion to energy awareness.
The journey ends on a strong note of hope, with a glimpse of the
renewable energy future that is just around the corner as more and
more of us heed the call.
|
|
Archived
articles:
EarthToys
Interview - Living Off The Grid, on EarthToys
Emagazine, June 2008.
Postmodern
PV Pioneers (PDF, 524KB), from Home
Power Magazine #120, Aug/Sep07.
Tips
for Responsible Wood Burning (PDF, 268KB), from the
Blue Mountain Eagle, Feb. 28, 2007
How
Many Energy Slaves Do We Employ?, on EarthToys
Emagazine, August 2006.
Do
a Little Energy Homework Before Investing in RE Production,
on EarthToys Emagazine,
April 2005.
Buying
an Energy-Efficient Refrigerator (PDF, 773KB),
from Home Power Magazine
#104, Dec04/Jan05.
SolWest
RE Fair Hosts 2,000 Visitors (PDF, 137KB), from
the 2003-4 Grant County Visitors' Guide.
Solar
Water Pumping Makes Sense (PFF, 178KB), from Home
Power Magazine #97, Oct/Nov03.
Energy
Fair Scrapbook (PDF, 517KB), from Home
Power Magazine #92, Dec02/Jan03.
SolWest
RE Fair 2001 (PDF, 146KB), from Home
Power Magazine #86, Dec01/Jan02.
Take
that Office off the Grid! (PDF,
146KB), from Home Power Magazine #86,
Dec01/Jan02.
Adventures
in Electrathon & Grease Power at SolWest
(PDF, 111KB), from Home Power Magazine #80,
Dec00/Jan01.
SolWest
Renewable Energy Fair 2000 (PDF, 108KB), from Home
Power Magazine #80, Dec00/Jan01.
Utility-intertied
PV Workshop (PDF, 242KB), from Home
Power Magazine #80, Dec00/Jan01.
SolWest
Renewable Energy Fair (PDF, 116KB), from Home
Power Magazine #73, Oct/Nov99.
Activities
and lesson plans for young people:
White
papers, adult education:
Video
and audio material:
Archived
newsletters:
Spring 10
(1.4MB) SolWest Preview, Leading the Way to a Low-Energy Future,
EORenew News, Footprint review
Winter 09-10
(2.0MB) EORenew Annual Report, Grant Co Historical Museum, The
Navigator, Solar Decision-Making Guide
Fall 09 (3.9MB)
SolWest 2009, Workshops, The Electric Raptor Project, Northwest News,
Fall Projects at EORenew
Spring 09
(1.7MB) Solwest Preview, Alternative School, Dealing with Urban Heat
Islands, Pedaling Revolution review
Winter 08-09
(13.0 MB) EORenew Annual Report, Solar Tour, Change the World
Challenge, Tire Rolling Resistance
Fall 08 (8.4 MB)
SolWest 2008, Installation Workshop, Solar Poetry, John Day Solar
Tour, Karmen Goes to Mali
Spring 08 (5.8
MB) Solwest Preview, Alternative School, Alcohol Can Be a Gas
review, Portland Business Gets Energy from Sun
Winter 07-08
(5.8MB) Annual report, John Day Solar Tour, Opportunities in
Renewable Energy, Q&A about CFLs
Fall07 (6.3 MB)
Solwest 2007, Solar Poetry, Soloar Careers, Oregon Open for Solar
Business, National Solar Tour
Spring07
(2.8MB) SolWest Workshops Inspire Curriculum, SolarWorld, Groups &
Educational Opportunities
Winter 06-07
(2.2 MB) SolWest Has Wide Influence, Franklin Building Energy
Makover, Oregon Projects in Mass. & Pakistan
Fall06 (3.6MB)
SolWest 2006, Billy & Bobby & Betty McGee, Solar Drag Race,
Rural Development Grants
Spring06 (2.2
MB) SolWest preview, Tax Credits & Incentives, Energy Slaves,
Oregon Apollo program, Sustainable Schools
Winter05-06
(2MB) Annual report, Buying Biodiesel in the Inland NW,
Energy-effiicent and Solar Windows, OTEC candidates
Fall05 (2.9MB)
SolWest 2005, Ode to a Sunflower, Jim Slater, energy bills,
Pre-SolWest Hands-on Workshop Installs System
Spring05
(2.2MB) Powering the Good Life with RE, White Buffalo & Solar
Collectors, New Solar Food Drying Book
Winter04-05
(1.2 MB) Peak Oil: Why Should We Care?, News from EORenew, End of the
Age of Oil
Fall04 (1.4 MB)
SolWest Summary, Teachers' Resource CD-ROM, Summer Intern, 2004 Solar
Home Tour
Spring04 (1.3
MB) SolWest Preview, Gov's RE Action Plan, Hydrogen News, Business
Incentives for RE
Winter03-04
(pdf format, 1.2 MB) Our solar-powered office, Visit to a Classroom,
Tour of OutBack Power HQ
Fall03 (pdf
format, 1.2 MB) SolWest Summary, Photo Album, National Solar Tour
Spring03 (pdf
format, 3.6 MB) Classroom Visits, Refrigerator Energy Use
Winter02-03
(pdf format, 5 MB) Solar Cookery, EORenew Energy Services, Tour of a
Wood-fired Co-Gen
Fall 02 (pdf
format, 1.6 MB) SolWest Summary, Electrathon Results, Solar Water
Pumping Installation
Spring02 (pdf
format, 1.3 MB) Financial Incentives for RE, Energy Audit Your Own Home
Winter01-02
(pdf format, 1.3 MB) Passive Solar House in Sandy, How much Does
Solar Cost?
Fall01 (pdf
format, 1.5 MB) SolWest Summary, EORenew Off-gird Office Workshop,
OTEC PV Incentives
|
Our website is solar powered.
Website hosting graciously provided by kenneke.com |
|
top |
|
for grades 5-12, with