Below is a short list of some of our best books. We’re sure you’ll agree that the Bower Eco-
Library has something for everybody...
1. Live generously: 50 small acts that make a big difference
Live generously project 2008
50 simple, sustainable & inspiring ways to make a difference to the planet, your family and
friends and the lives of others: "Don't just recycle, freecycle"; "Start banking ethically";
"Start or join a food-buying club"; "Plant a tree"; "Commit random acts of generosity".
Obvious to some, but food for thought for everybody. Includes links for more info.
2. Change the World for Ten Bucks: 50 actions to change the world and make you feel
great
Community Links Trust 2005
Contains 50 simple, easy to do everyday actions. If enough of us actually do them, we really
will change the world. With contributions from across Australia, this book shows how a
single person can really make a difference.
3. Memo for a Saner World
Brown, Bob 2004
An account of the defining moments in Bob Brown's life of activism, from the Franklin River
to his parliamentary protest against George Bush Jr.
4. Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001
Compiled by Cofinas, M. & Creighton, C. 2001
Documents pre-European and current native vegetation and provides information for setting
priorities for nature conservation, catchment management and regional vegetation
management planning.
5. The Revenge of Gaia: Why the Earth is fighting back – and how we can still save
humanity
Lovelock, James 2007
A 2007 update from James Lovelock. Perhaps the most important book to be published on
the environmental crisis. For thousands of years, humans have exploited the planet without
counting the cost. Now Gaia, the living Earth is fighting back. Gaia will survive, but will
we?
6. A Big Fix: radical solutions for Australia's environmental crisis
Lowe, Ian 2005
We are consuming the future. Without a radical re-thinking of the way we currently live,
our society is under serious threat. Pre-eminent scientist and environmentalist Ian Lowe
tackles the problem head on, offering far-reaching solutions to our environmental and
social crisis.
7. Blueprint for a Living Continent: a way forward from the Wentworth group of
concerned scientists
Cullen, Peter (et al.) 2002
Australians have big environmental problems - and some big opportunities to make choices
about the future. This booklet summarises the vision for the future proposed by 'the
Wentworth Group', a collective of Australia's leading environmental scientists, who are
advocating radical and fundamental reform to halt further degradation of Australia's
landscapes.
8. Crude: the story of oil
Shah, Sonia 2004
A brilliant, easy to read history and expose of 'oil', the world's dirtiest industry – from its
origins to 'peak-oil' and beyond. "Required reading for all who care about the future of ...
the planet".
9. Product Innovation - The Green Advantage: an introduction to design for
environment for Australian business
Dept. of the Environment and Heritage 2001
For a typical product, 70% of the cost of development, manufacture and use is determined
in its design phase. By integrating environmental considerations into product design, a
company can increase efficiency, reduce waste and reduce costs. This booklet explores
Design for the Environment and how it can improve an organisation's financial, operational
and marketing activities.
10. It is easy being green: simple steps to help your business help the world
Cannon, Jean 2007
Feel comfortable about your mark on the planet – do something about your business'
environmental management today. Simple steps to implement environmental management
systems in a practical cost-effective way.
11. Poor Story: an insider uncovers how globalisation and good intentions have failed
the world's poor
Bolton, Giles 2007
Poor Story is a radical, brilliantly readable and totally original approach to an unending
problem. It may change your life – more importantly, it will help you change the lives of
others. This book explains why Africa is so poor and what really happens to your aid money.
12. The No-Nonsense Guide to Climate Change
Godrej, Dinyar 2006
Fully revised and updated (2006), this No-Nonsense Guide looks at the latest findings,
explores the options and explains why carbon trading and nuclear power are not the
answer. It calls for measures to clean up our act, cut energy use and improve energy
efficiency.
13. Please don't rubbish Australia
Bassetti, Rodney 2001
A book for 'young Australians'. Follow Fred the cockatoo and Neville the wombat as they
help Kate and Sanjay clean up Australia. Educational appendices analyse what we throw
away.
14. Scorcher: the dirty politics of climate change
Hamilton, Clive 2007
Blows the whistle on the politics of global warming in Australia. Why have our political
leaders been so slow to act? How have big corporations succeeded in preventing real action?
Who are the 'greenhouse mafia'?
15. Heat: how to stop the planet burning
Monbiot, George 2006
Inspiring, original, blazing with energy, this book should change the world. We know that
climate change is happening, it could, if the worse predictions come true, destroy the
conditions which make human life possible. Can it be stopped? In Heat, George Monbiot
demonstrates that we can achieve the necessary cut – a 90% reduction in carbon emissions
by 2030 – without bringing civilisation to an end. But he also shows that this can happen
only with a massive programme of action which no government has yet been prepared to
take. Heat also contains a breathtaking new expose of the corporations trying to stop us
from taking action.