Author: David Johnston and Scott Gibson    (Read: July 2010)

An outstanding overview of the steps needed to build near Net Zero homes. Emphasizes the importance of a super-insulated, air tight building envelope. I found the case studies of homes built around North America that achieved outstanding energy efficiency to be really interesting. The renovation of an older home that resulted in a air-tightness rating of 0.55 ACH50 was particularly eye-opening.

Author: Simpson, Jaccard, Rivers    (Read: June 2010)

A sad look at the decades of failed promises and ineffective 'voluntary' action that comprises Canada's record on dealing with climate change. Both the Conversative and Liberal parties have wasted opportunity after opportunity to lead on this issue. Sadly, there is little to suggest a change is coming. Expect more big pronouncements with no real action.

Author: Jeff Rubin    (Read: April 2010)

Rubin famously forecast $200 oil just before it crashed, but he's right that the price will rebound and then some now that we're through the recession. His book covers the impacts that very exĎpensive energy will have on our lives. In some ways, such as less commuting and more local food, the changes will be welcome. In other ways, such as suburban blight and increased world hostilities, the changes are a bit terrifying. We'll just have to see...

Author: James Hansen    (Read: April 2010)

At turns terrifying, maddening, and tragic; I found this a difficult book to read as a father. Without substantial changes from our current path, the world our children and grandchildren inherit will be a very difficult place to live in.

I am certain that we will eventually set a real price on carbon emissions, close down coal-burning electrical generators, and innovate new sources of clean power. My concern is that we will be far too late. For the sake of all our children, let's hope we get it right in time.

Author: Thomas Homer-Dixon    (Read: December 2009)

A well-written collection of essays which argue that the twin crises of oil depletion and climate change will define our future. Call me a pessimist, but I am not confident in the least that humanity will rise to address these challenges.

In the case of peak oil, our economy and civilization are too tightly coupled to fossil fuels to migrate to cleaner alternatives in any reasonable time frame. By using geo-exchange coupled with solar in our new home, we are doing our part. Few are joining us though.

Climate change due to GHG pollution will require us to put aside our short-term vision, something I don't think our species can do. As such, I will be working to prepare myself and my family for the coming changes to our lives. Those deniers with their head in the sand will be in for a rude awakening, but my family will be as prepared as we can be.

Author: Adria Vasil    (Read: December 2009)

A great collection of tips for green living in Canada. Many of the tips regarding home building and renovation, Alison and I had already put into practice, but it was nice to see our choices validated in this book.

Author: Christopher Alexander    (Read: December 2008)

A compelling book on architecture, Alexander's pattern language became a foundation text in Computing Science when the Gang of Four applied his ideas to software algorithms and design. I had known about this book for quite a while, but I needed to be in right frame of mind to read it. Now that Alison and I are planning to build our own home, the concrete patterns such as 'Light on Two Sides of Every Room', 'Sheltering Roof', and 'Intimacy Gradient' make perfect sense. Hopefully our house will come to embody many of them.

Author: David Johnston and Scott Gibson    (Read: December 2008)

A surprisingly thorough overview of all the different aspects of green building. This book confirmed that the building envelope and site orientation are of critical importance as they determine the energy budget for the home.

Author: Eric Corey Freed    (Read: November 2008)

An good overview of the various materials, techniques, and technologies that can be incorporated when building a Green home.