GREAT READS

Living Like Ed

Ed Begley, Jr.

Ed Begley, Jr., the actor, got involved with the environmental movement back in 1970, the year the first Earth Day was held, and has faithfully practiced what he preaches for nearly 40 years. In the beginning he began recycling, composting, buying biodegradable soaps and detergents, and bought his first electric car. Then in 1990 he bought a small, old house (built 1936) in a neighborhood in Los Angeles, and has used it to try out many different ways, large and small, to gain energy efficiency and lessen his impact on our planet. In his book Living Like Ed: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Life he shares his successes (and his failures) with us.  The book is packed with suggestions, and for each suggestion Ed indicates whether it is a Small, Not-So-Big, or Big change, mostly relating to cost. He is also careful to include ideas for folks in apartments or condos, who might not be able to do things on a large scale. One of my favorite things about this book is the commentary from Ed's wife, Rachelle.  Ed can be a little obsessive about protecting the environment but Rachelle gives us the viewpoint of an average person who isn't willing to give up certain creature comforts and conveniences. In Rachelle's comments she tells it like it is. Both Ed and Rachelle write as if they were sitting in your family room with you, having a conversation. If you are interested in large and small things to help the environment, this is the book for you.

Recommended by Angela Prandini