New book club focused on sustainability started during summer

The Sustainability Book Club formed this summer to provide a new way for people interested in learning more about sustainability to discuss related books.

At 12:30 p.m. on Sept 13, the group will meet for the first time in the Westhampton Deanery Living Room to discuss "Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming" by James Hoggan, said Megan Zanella-Litke, LEED green associate and sustainability coordinator.

"I was hopeful that the club would inspire more conversations about sustainability and provide another avenue for involvement," Zanella-Litke said. "I've been very pleased with the reactions to the group."

Over the summer, the group read "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," "Silent Spring," "Radical Simplicity," and "Love Canal Revisited."

At the meetings, faculty, staff and students are invited to share ways in which they have made changes in their personal lives as a result of what they have learned, Zanella-Litke said. The group also discusses what the Richmond community could improve to achieve its sustainability goals.

Several participants have integrated new practices into their personal lives and work environments and have become more involved with campus sustainability, Zanella-Litke said.

A member of the book club and manager of registration and operations in the Registrar's Office, Jean Creamer, said the book club meetings have made a great impact on what she purchases.

One book in particular that changed her thought process was "Radical Simplicity" by Jim Merkel, Creamer said. In the book, Merkel poses the question: "If you were first in line at an unlimited buffet of shelter, clothing, healthcare and education, how much would you take?"

Creamer now approaches shopping with a different mindset, particularly focusing on the usefulness of an item, she said.

The books are capable of reaching a broad audience and allow participants to reach their own conclusions, Creamer said.

Zanella-Litke said she was also trying to align the selected readings for each month with the Be One campaign's monthly focus areas. For September, the campaign focus is on transportation, which includes opting to use Richmond's shuttles, green bikes, GRTC buses, walking and carpooling.

Contact reporter Jessica Racioppi at jessica.racioppi@richmond.edu