Staying up to date on sustainability can be a job within itself. But understanding the logic behind the ‘green’ arguments? It can be overwhelming.

Summertime means lots of time on planes, trains and carpooling automobiles… or lazy hours in the cabin or beach chair… which is the perfect time to nestle up with some green reads.

Here are 6 of my favorite green books:

1. My Plastic-Free Life by Beth Terry. Ever consider how plastic has crept into every mainstream product and even disguise the perks like these oxymoron of plastic mason jars? Terry breaks down what the different plastic numbers mean, how ‘recyclable ‘ they are, which numbers are toxic and the dangers of consuming ourselves in plastic. Even if you don’t go plastic-free, there’s plenty of tips to be a more conscious consumer.
2. Confessions of an Eco-Sinner. Every wonder where your products comes from? Not that your t-shirt was made in Bangladesh, but where does the fabric come from? What’s the conditions like of the people who made it? Do they even benefit from the product? Fred Pearce visits everyday items in his home and traces them back to creation. It’s pretty fascinating to consider. Where Am I Eating by Kelsey Timmerman is another recent journey where he visits his food sources.
3. End of the Line. Vegetarians avoid fish in their diet, but why is a seemingly ‘there’s more fish in the sea’ not as common anymore? What’s the difference between farmed and wild-caught? How can you be a conscious fish-eating consumer? End of the Line catches you up to speed from the last 200 years of fishing history to today’s depleting scaly resources.
4. High Tide on Main Street. Do you get confused between the statistics of climate change? Do you question global warming with arguments of how the climate ‘tends to have waves and we’re in a warming period?’ Why was Hurricane Sandy more intense storm than ‘normal’ storms? John Englander breaks down the charts, statistics and explanations of not only why the seas are rising, but what cities will be affected first. Englander proposes how cities can creatively prepare for climate change (since he essentially accepts that we will not “prevent” climate change before the seas rise…)
5. You Can Buy Happiness (and it’s Cheap). Feel like you’re constantly cleaning, sorting and dealing with “stuff?” Tammy Strobel takes us on a journey from overpaying in her two bedroom apartment to her 128 square foot mobile home. While you don’t have to make the leap to living in a tiny house, Strobel gives many encouraging ways to downsize your life. Now, if I can only make time to start getting rid of more crap in mine….
6. The Upcycle. Ever feel limited to the can’ts, don’t and take less approach of environmentalism? The follow up to Cradle-to-Cradle, the Upcycle, challenges conventional sustainability models so we can enjoy our hot long showers and good ol’ American consumerism. We can be more sustainable if we picture things the right way from the start and eliminate harsh chemicals and practices… Can you imagine?

Readers, what are your favorite green reads? Tell us any insightful books you’ve read lately in the comments.

Photo: Etsy

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher