Sustainable Living is a learning process, but the great thing is there are incredible resources out there to help you every step of the way. If you’re a reader and would like to learn more about the Green Revolution going on right now, don’t hesitate to check out these books from your local library or bookstore!

1. Sustainable Living: 25 International Examples by Dominque Gauzin-Muller (9783764374679)

Want to know what kind of things people are doing around the world? The book provides extensive and technically detailed documentation of 25 sustainable residential structures. If you’re looking for something a bit more architecturally savy this is the book for you. The examples are chosen from 18 different countries on five continents and come from both rural regions and urban areas.

2. Sufficient: A Modern Guide to Sustainable Living by Tom Petherick (9781862057739)

Ever had the idea that you were living beyond your means? Ever feel like you would like to scale back to a more simpler life? Slowing down, consuming less, embracing artisan foods, and championing human-scale organic growing methods are different things you can do to help the environment and your peace of mind. Sufficient is a book to inspire, educate and encourage a process of change towards a simple, gentle, and sustainable way of living. 

3. The Renewal Energy Handbook : A guide to rural energy independance, off-grid and sustainable living by: William H. Kemp (9780973323320)

Are you ready to go off the grid? As oil prices continue to rise, many people are starting to think about how to unhook from the power grid. In The Renewable Energy Handbook Kemp focuses completely on off-grid, sustainable living and energy independence in a rural setting.

4. Green By Design: Creating a Home for Sustainable Living by Angela Dean (9781586851729)

Just because you’re house was made before the green revolution doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate green living principles right now. Architect Angela Dean teaches her readers how to incorporate green building into your home, including using healthy building materials such as straw bales and natural flooring, taking advantage of local materials and resources, reusing gray water for landscaping, and incorporating passive solar design. A great start for those looking to redesign their home to fit their sustainable lifestyle!

5. Living a Sustainable Lifestyle for Our Children’s Children by R. Warren Flint (9780595200139)

Save the world for you and future generations. This book will give you advice and tips on how you can live a sustainable life and change the path of those after you.

6. Real Goods Solar Living Source Book: Special 30th Anniversary Edition: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living by John Schaeffer (9780916571061)

Learn all about how renewable energy affects you. This book will teach you all about clean technologies such as solar power, wind power and biodiesel fuel are soaring in popularity.

7. Sustainable City Living by Georgia Mayfield (9781934393185)

Hey Urbanite! Do you need your very own instruction manual helping you live the urban life while still making a different environmentally? This book offers practical advice and helpful tips on ways to save energy and improve self-sufficiency. Some topics include container gardening, canning and preserving food, recycling, home improvements for reducing energy consumption, using alternative energy sources such as solar power, and information on greener transportation options.

8. The Earth’s Blanket: Traditional Teachings of Sustainable Living by Nancy Turner  (9781553651802)

Ever wonder where all this Global Warming information came from? The Earth’s Blanket explores the traditional teachings of sustainable living  and the personal connection to the land and history that is encoded in indigenous stories and lifeways, and what they may be able to teach all of us about living in harmony with our surroundings.

9. Sustainable Living: The Role of Whole Life Cost and Values by Nalaine Mithraratne (9780750680639)

With all the green buildings being built right now, it’s no wonder we can be confused about what it takes to be green and the design and construction of a sustainable building. Moreover, what happens once a building is occupied is absolutely critical. This is a great book about how the choices designers, developers and building users make impact on sustainability over the life span of a building. This Green Building Introduction gives you a  holistic approach to sustainable building development considering costs, energy use, environmental impact, global warming potential as well as items which a usually disregarded such as finishes, furniture and appliances is needed to achieve best practice.

10. 365 Ways to Live Green - Your Everyday Guide to Saving the Enviroment by Diane Gow McGilda (9781598698084)

Earth Hour is today, and what better way to celebrate than to share it with friends and family!  Talen Events is here to help you celebrate and make a fun night of with these green party tips!

Visit your Local Market

Support your local farmer with fresh vegetables and fresh dips from your Local Farmer’s Market. This is a great way to meet your local farmers and find some new favorite dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask where their vegetables come from, and whether or not they use pesticides!

Ecofriendly… Drinking?

Get your Eco-friendly drink on with different green drinks. You can create fruit smoothies from your finds at the Farmer’s Market or taste test some alcoholic drinks like Tetra Pak or local sourced wine. Steam Whistle, or Mill Street Organic Beer.

Ambience

Set the mood with great ambience. Find alternative light sources for you and your friends. Tea lights make an excellent source of light and can be purchased from Ikea or any local store. Also, it’s a great idea to have tea lights around the house in case of a power outage.

Entertain ME!

Think you can’t have fun without a television set? WRONG! Dust off the board games, grab that deck of cards, do a shadow puppet show or let your imagination run wild with storytelling. Without the distractions of sports or movies, you can really take the time to get to your friends… and who knows? You might even like them more afterwards!  

We hope your Earth Hour is filled with fun and laughter. And who knows… if all goes well, you’ve just started a great tradition between you and your friends!

Cheers and Have Fun

Amalia & Tiffany

For more information about Talen Events check out our website at: www.talenevents.ca

Earth Hour is taking place in worldwide, but right here in Canada all the major cities are taking part (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Halifax) We’re urging all of you to GO DARK! For one hour unplug and turn off all lights, in an effort and help bring awareness to Climate Change.

This is also an excellent time for you to reflect and see what changes you can make in your own life to begin living a sustainable lifestyle.

For more information check out the website www.wwf.ca/earthhour

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Cheers and have a Happy Earth Hour!

Amalia & Tiffany