Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living [Paperback]

The Union of Concerned Scientists (Author), Seth Shulman (Author), Jeff Deyette (Author), Brenda Ekwurzel (Author), David Friedman (Author), Margaret Mellon (Author), John Rogers (Author), Suzanne Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2012

How can each of us live Cooler Smarter? While the routine decisions that shape our days—what to have for dinner, where to shop, how to get to work—may seem small, collectively they have a big effect on global warming. But which changes in our lifestyles might make the biggest difference to the climate? This science-based guide shows you the most effective ways to cut your own global warming emissions by twenty percent or more, and explains why your individual contribution is so vital to addressing this global problem.

Cooler Smarter is based on an in-depth, two-year study by the experts at The Union of Concerned Scientists. While other green guides suggest an array of tips, Cooler Smarter offers proven strategies to cut carbon, with chapters on transportation, home energy use, diet, personal consumption, as well as how best to influence your workplace, your community, and elected officials. The book explains how to make the biggest impact and when not to sweat the small stuff. It also turns many eco-myths on their head, like the importance of locally produced food or the superiority of all hybrid cars.

The advice in Cooler Smarter can help save you money and live healthier. But its central purpose is to empower you, through low carbon-living, to confront one of society’s greatest threats.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Finally, an excellent, short, and readable book that is replete with examples of what each of us can do to improve our lives and, at the same time, reduce our carbon footprint by using energy more efficiently.  Whatever your view may be about climate change projections, there are no good arguments that favor wasting energy and launching the world's climate into an uncertain future.”

(Neal Lane former White House Science Advisor)

“Cooler Smarter provides great advice backed by data, analysis, and examples. I was surprised how only a few simple steps can cut your environmental footprint by 20 percent—and most of those steps don’t involve sacrifice, but rather pay for themselves and help you lead a healthier life. I plan on implementing several of these strategies and hope others do, too!”

(Rick Needham Director, Energy and Sustainability, Google)

“We can break our addiction to fossil fuels, stave off the worst of global warming, and generate quality jobs that allow us to support our families and build for the future—but only if we work together and each of us does our part. This smart, sensible, and easy-to-use book lays out the most effective steps each of us can take right now.”

(Van Jones President, Rebuild the Dream, and author of The Green Collar Economy)

“It's doubly important now for each of us to act to reduce our carbon footprints because Washington is doing so little. I love this book--a smart, accessible, clear-headed guide that we can all follow.”

(James Gustave Speth author of The Bridge at the Edge of the World)

“This accessible, science-based book gives each of us the information we need to do our part to reduce our carbon emissions. This is the smart tool for action many of us have been waiting for.”

(Timothy E. Wirth President, United Nations Foundation and former U.S. Senator from Colorado)

“A wonderful guide to smarter energy use and a cooler planet that shows how each and every one of us can contribute part of the solution for a better future. Splendidly written, accessible, and essential for any citizen—both virtually and metaphorically cool.”

(Thomas E. Lovejoy Biodiversity Chair, The Heinz Center)

“eco-myth-busting guide to green living….makes a plaintive call to action, arguing that climate change has reached a dire point because of human use of heat-trapping fossil fuels.”

(USA Today)

"Who would I recommend this book to? Just about everyone. Rarely does any individual popular science book rank as a genuinely significant and compelling addition to a library’s collection, but this is one of them. Pretty well every academic or public library should get this book for their collection.... We owe it to ourselves and our planet to read this book and think deeply about what we can do."



 

(Science Blogs: Confessions of a Science Librarian)

"The advice in Cooler Smarter can help save you money and live healthier. But its central purpose is to empower you, through low carbon-living, to confront one of society's greatest threats."

(The Southeastern Naturalist)

“Clear, readable, and genuinely smart, Cooler Smarter answers the question concerned citizens everywhere are asking: What can we do to make a difference?”

(Elizabeth Kolbert author of Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change)

About the Author

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (April 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 161091192X
• ISBN-13: 978-1610911924
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Climatology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A really important, empowering read August 29, 2012

By emily

Format:Paperback

I received a digital galley of this book to review for a magazine before it was published ... and then I was so impressed by it, I ended up buying a copy for myself and several to give away to friends and family.

I can't stress enough what an important tool this book is: it debunks many misconceptions about climate change, and offers lots of practical climate change solutions to empower readers across all income levels. (ie, this isn't just for people who can afford to buy a Prius or outfit their home with all the latest, expensive new high-efficiency appliances.) My biggest takeaway from this book is that reducing energy consumption isn't about going without; it's about simply being smarter with the resources you have. (Bonus: It can save you a lot of money, too.)

Bottom line: Highly recommended.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read June 29, 2012

By tony

Format:Paperback

After the financial crash of 2008 I hit the internet looking for answers. It can't just be a housing bubble that's caused this, I thought. And now after 3 years of continuing my investigations, I've realized we're in a New Era. America is post industrial and it's not just another recession, but a new time in history. And this book Cooler Smarter has to be read by accountants, lawyers, janitors and hairdressers alike. We all have to become savvy about the topics in this book if we are to sustain a good standard of living. We all have to understand the basics of our energy use and become amateur ecologists. The book is a great place to start if you've just begun this journey in realizing things have changed. It's clearly laid out with less jargon than some other books. You can read chapters out of sequence if you prefer. But in the end try to read it all, it will benefit your life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cooler Smarter: January 30, 2013

By Judith M. Lord

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Informative, interesting book. This book is a good starting point for
anyone wanting to learn more about global warming from a scientific point of view.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A smart guide to lower carbon living November 17, 2012

By Bob M.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having spent many years trying to reduce my family's global warming impact, this is the most useful guide I have found. It is clear from its thoughtful analysis that this book is the result of in-depth research, but the presentation should be very accessible to most readers. Climate change can be such an imposing and dreary subject that it is tempting to run away from it, but the authors manage to maintain a cheerful and optimistic tone. I especially appreciate their encouragement to "sweat the right stuff." That is to make those adjustments in our daily lives that make the most difference. It is easy to get paralyzed by all the suggestions out there for how we can live "greener." This guide cuts through a lot of that and encourages readers to work on those areas that research shows are the most important and achievable. My own experience is that it is possible to simultaneously save money, live more comfortably, and make substantial progress towards a lower carbon footprint. This excellent volume picks up that perspective and provides a reliable roadmap to follow.

5.0 out of 5 stars You can help save the planet! March 6, 2013

By Beth McQuie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Practical tips, well-written and encouraging. It offers hope for the planet, if individuals take the steps recommended in the book.

0 of 22 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I rock September 26, 2012

By M. Heiss

Format:Paperback

At first, I was intimidated because all the other families at the soccer fields had these neat coolers. Their coolers had wheels... and LIDS! Some of the lids even had cupholders. You can imagine my painful embarrassment at having to use our old broken Diaper Genie (TM) to keep our snacks cool. Especially because the Diaper Genie (TM) had that residual smell.

Thanks to this book, all that is behind me now! Now I found out where to get one of those new-fangled, wheeled, LIDDED coolers, and don't I feel smart? Indeed I do.

Improve your social standing immediately: GET THIS BOOK!

I look forward to the next work by this consortium: Folding Lawn Chair Smarter. I need it soon!