Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions for a Sustainable
Future
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This book answers the question: What can we do in our own yards and in our communities, right now, to respond to climate change?Predictions about future effects of climate change can range from mild to dire - but we're already seeing warmer winters, hotter summers, and more extreme droughts and storms. Proposed solutions often seem expensive and complex, and
can leave us as individuals at a loss, wondering what, if anything,
can be done. Authors Sue Reed and Ginny Stibolt offer a rallying cry in response - instead of wringing our hands, they say let's roll up our sleeves. Based on decades of real-life experience, this book is packed with simple, practical steps anyone can take to help lessen global warming while beautifying any landscape and garden. ~ ~ ~ Reviews & awardsExcerpt from the Foreword by Dr. Doug Tallamy: Excerpt from the American Library Association's Booklist
Review:
Virginia Native Plant Society (read whole
review here): An Amazon reviewer*: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Empowering
~ ~ ~ Authors Sue Reed, a landscape architect in Massachusetts, and Ginny Stibolt, a botanist and garden writer in Florida, used their complementary education, skills, and experiences in putting together this readable, but comprehensive science-based book. They did not debate climate change, but instead provided hundreds doable of ideas for readers so they can make earth-friendly changes in how they manage their yards and other properties in their communities. Each action topic begins with an explanation of "Why this matters." Then the various actions for that topic are explained with enough detail so the readers can decide whether the actions would work for their properties. While each individual action may seem to be too small to make a real difference, there are many millions of homeowners and property managers and together we CAN make a significant difference in the health of our only planet. ~ ~ ~
Contents
"Lawns" is the first section because the easiest and most significant climate-wise action item that a homeowner or landscape manager can make is to rethink the need for acres of "perfect," high-maintenance, monoculture lawns. When you stop the landscape-wide applications of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, you reduce your carbon footprint due to their manufacture and transportation, plus without those additives, the grass will grow slower and you further reduce your carbon footprint by mowing much less often. The authors' deep research on the various other topics include many new ways to think about the environmental impact of our various landscaping activities. For example:
The book is peppered throughout with quotes that are pertinent to the topic at hand. This advice, inspiration, and wisdom are from biologists, environmentalists, and designers including Doug Tallamy, E.O. Wilson, Darrell Morrison, Travis Beck, Thomas Rainer, Claudia West, Wendell Berry, Alice Waters, Paul Hawken, Larry Weaner, Thomas Christopher, and many others. These quotes provide a broader look at the various climate-wise action topics. Listen to this podcast where Ginny talks to Thomas Christopher about "Climate-Wise Landscaping" and much more on his Growing Greener program, which is produced in collaboration with The Berkshire Botanical Garden. Order your copy of "Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future" here.
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Copyright Ginny Stibolt & Sue Reed |