Ecoholic. Your guide to the most environmentally friendly information, products and services in Canada

OVERALL RATING Very good

STRENGTHS Broad topic coverage; extensive list of resources

WEAKNESSES Less critical assessment of health and nutrition alternatives and regular updates needed

AUDIENCE General

The environment has gone mainstream. Politicians are forced to defend their environmental records. Cities vie for the title of Best Recycler. Corporations are eager to paint themselves green. Consumer choice in environmental products and services has mushroomed.

While increased choice is a boon for consumers, navigating through the various options now available can be a daunting task. Ecoholic. Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada is, as the title indicates, an attempt to help consumers choose among the sometimes bewildering array of options available to them in “green” products, services, and sources of information. The book is organized by broad thematic areas, ranging from beauty treatments to home products to money and work. Within each area there is a thoughtful discussion of the key environmental dimensions of consumer choice and of the alternatives available to consumers. So, for example, the section on photography weighs the relative merits of digital and traditional cameras, the issue of chemicals used in processing and printing, and the battery efficiency of different brands of cameras.

The book’s strength is its coverage of a range of topics where eco-conscious consumers might want to weigh their options. There are often surprising trade-offs to be considered when choosing among options, and the book’s willingness to look at the many ecological implications of a product purchase brings these to the forefront. The conclusion of the photography section, for example, endorses single-use cameras owing to their high recyclability.

Perhaps the weakest areas of the book are those that treat issues of health and nutrition. Despite the thought-provoking address of the ecological effects of food production and pharmaceutical use and disposal, the discussion of the health effects of natural remedies and organic food lacks the rigour of the rest of the book. As with any sourcebook, this volume will also need regular updating to remain current.

All in all, the book delivers on its title’s promise and is a useful tool for any consumer looking to make environmentally friendly choices.

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