Green Initiative

Ed Begley, Jr., who has become as well known for his environmental activism as for his acting career, will be the morning's keynote speaker at the American Booksellers Association's Day of Education on Thursday, May 29.

Thirteen printers, six paper mills, and 75 publishers (representing more than 45 percent of market share by revenue) responded to an invitation from the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and Green Press Initiative (GPI) to participate in a 2007 Environmental Benchmarking Survey. Their responses form the basis for the recently released report Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings From the U.S.

Preconstruction

With the annual celebration of Earth Day less than three weeks away, booksellers across the country are steeped in plans to promote conservation, green living, and an understanding of our impact on the environment.

For a lot of booksellers, every day is Earth Day, but on and around April 22, several bookstores -- including Changing Hands, Vroman's, Boulder Bookstore, and McNally Robinson -- will hold events and create displays to promote Green Living and to participate in the worldwide celebration of Earth Day 2008.

For booksellers, becoming greener means incorporating environmentally friendly practices in day-to-day operations, as well as meeting the needs of a growing number of consumers looking for reliable information on everything from the science of global warming to public policies and personal practices that can help make the world a better place to live.

There is still time for all ABA member booksellers to submit nominations for a selected list of notable titles dealing with the environment. "Please do nominate for the list the titles that you consider essential reading," said Dan Cullen, ABA senior director of editorial content. "Everything from how to modify personal and business practices to conserve resources and cut carbon emissions to titles focusing on public policy -- so that ABA can compile a strong recommended 'Green List.'"

Broad consumer interest in our environment has never been higher. Not surprisingly, this is translating into increased activity on the part of publishers. To compile a selection of notable titles dealing with the environment -- everything from how to modify personal and business practices to conserve resources and cut carbon emissions to titles focusing on public policy -- the American Booksellers Association is asking booksellers to recommend books for a "Green List."

Many bookstores have gone green both in their title selection and store practices, but what about the environmental impact of the books themselves? Paper shipments to U.S. publishers each year are estimated to average 1.6 million tons, equaling about 30 million trees.

Booksellers have long championed environmental issues, but 2008 seems to be the year of "Green Retailing" as evidenced by the very positive response to everything green at this year's ABA Winter Institute. Independent booksellers across the country are among those at the forefront of the movement to become smarter, cleaner, more efficient retailers.