How Green Is That Novel?

A new report, "Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the Book Industry," outlines the global warming impact of making and publishing books, and the state of the industry's green practices.

Here are some facts the Green Press Initiative and the Book Industry Study Group dug up:

1. The average book, which weighs less than one pound, is responsible for emitting 8.85 pounds of carbon dioxide. (A Toyota Prius, for comparison's sake, emits 4 tons in a year.

2. 59% of book publishers that responded to the survey have completed or intended environmental policies

3. 96% of publisher respondents have goals for increasing the use of recycled content

4. 59% of respondents have policies on reducing electricity consumption and 41% have policies on sourcing renewable energy

5. Recycled content fiber in book paper at the mill level has increased sixfold in just three years – from 2.5% in 2004 to 13.3% in 2007

6. Recycled fiber use by printers has increased tenfold from 2,100 tons in 2004 to over 19,000 tons in 2006

7. The U.S. industry lags behind Canada. 50% of U.S. publishers have implemented green strategies, whereas between 60% and 75% of Canadian publishers have.

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