raz’s Recent Comments

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  Regarding the carbon footprint of the book industry - I'm not familiar with Carnegie Mellon EIO-LCA database you mentioned, but according to the 'Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry', which was published on March 2008 by The Green Press Initiative (GPI) and The Book Industry Study Group (BISG). the industry's carbon footprint of 12.4 million metric tons or 8.85 lbs. of carbon dioxide per a book (2006 figures).

  Also, this report found out that the source of the paper is responsilbe for the biggest part of the industry's carbon footprint - forest and forest harvest impacts are responsible for 62.7% share of total carbon emissions. Second is paper production at the mills with 22.4% share.

  You can read more on this report at http://www.ecolibris.net/book_industry_footprint.asp

  On Ask Umbra on paperback writers posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago 10 Responses

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  how about a green book for your dad?

  A book is as always a great gift and a green book is even better! To help you find the right green book to give this Father's Day, we prepared a guide with 10 green-themed books we matched with 10 different types of dads. You're welcome to check it out - http://ecolibris.blogspot.com/2008/05/whats-best-green-bo ...

  If you don't find anything there - no worries: you can always bring him grist's book - Wake Up and Smell the Planet (http://www.grist.org/wakeup/about.html#about)

  Happy Father's Day,
  Raz Godelnik
  Eco-Libris
  http://www.ecolibris.netOn An eco-friendly gift guide for Father's Day posted 1 year, 5 months ago 3 Responses

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  add some carrots to the sticks

  I think that thev Brazilian government's plan is good, but I am not sure how well it can fight the economic incentives that drives the massive deforestation we see now. I think that another step to be taken is to give a counter-incentive to keep these trees alive. If local governments and municipalities will be paid to protect these trees, then they have an economic value as live trees. If this value will be high enough, then it will be worthwhile to keep them alive.

  I think the measures should be based on the stick and the carrot both and not only rely on the stick. Give local communities the carrot and I promise you that you will see deforestation figures decrease again.

  I also think it shouldn't be the sole responsibility of the Brazilian government to take care of it. The Brazilian rain forest is called "the lungs of the world" for its ability to consume greenhouse gases and produce oxygen, and hence I believe the world should chip in.

  Just last week I wrote on our blog on Norway's announcement on its willingness to contribute about $500 million a year to projects aimed at protecting forests in developing countries. I think this kind of funding (and of course other countries should contribute as well) can make some good in Brazil and help Lula protect this precious natural resource.

  Raz Godelnik
  Eco-Libris
  www.ecolibris.net
  On Brazil unveils plan to slow deforestation and soy cultivation in Amazon posted 1 year, 10 months ago 2 Responses

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  kudos & questions

  I congratulate Simon & Schuster for their big step. It is a bold green move!

  But I was also wondering why Simon & Schuster  didn't go a little bit further and at least matched its goals with the Green Press Initiative's Industry Treatise (Book Industry Treatise on Responsible Paper), already been adopted by more than 140 publishers.

  Especially I'm referring to the treatise goal of "shifting the book industry's collective average use of recycled fiber from an estimated 5% recycled average at present to a 30% recycled industry average by 2012. "

  Simon & Schuster said they'll move to 25% by 2012 (or greater aggregate, which is a bit vague). The difference of 5% might sounds marginal, but we're talking here about almost 100,000 trees a year!

  And just to remind you, we have already one of the big publishing houses that is committed to a goal of 30% recycled paper - Random House announced last year it will incrementally increase the recycled paper content of its books to 30% by 2010.

  I also hope to see Simon & Schuster going further and take responsibility for all the trees cut down to supply their paper that is not sourced out of recycled paper or certified forests (FSC). Even on 2012, it will total to more than 1.5 million trees a year!

  All in all, it's a great day to all the eco-conscious book lovers out there, and I look forward to reading more news from the book industry that will start like this : "Simon & Schuster, Inc., and its employees are committed to publishing in a manner that both respects the environment and helps to preserve the world's great forest regions for the use and pleasure of future generations. "

  Raz Godelnik
  Eco-Libris
  http://www.ecolibris.netOn Simon & Schuster joins the ranks of greener publishers posted 2 years ago 1 Response