cover image Eco-Renovation: The Ecological Home Improvement Guide

Eco-Renovation: The Ecological Home Improvement Guide

Edward Harland. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, $16.95 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-930031-66-4

Calling for a ``greening'' of rampant American ``consumerism,'' which will inevitably mean ``less consumption'' on our part, architect Harland outlines paths toward ecological and energy-conserving reform in the ways we choose to shelter ourselves. Though compact, his book covers much ground, from the use of indoor plants as a source of benefits (oxygen production; pollution absorption) to the threat of radon gas and how to assess its presence. Harland does not pretend to solve all problems, but concentrates on projects that should be manageable to most of us: cutting down on water use; making the most of solar energy sources and collection methods; taking care to insulate windows, roofs, walls and floors properly; organic fruit and vegetable gardening, when possible, as a means of avoiding or endorsing ``an unsustainable and polluting system of agriculture.'' Clear illustrations by Roberts point the way toward solutions. The prognosis: this work can be done. (Apr.)