The statistic that one million acres of trees were chopped down in Canada’s forests last year is horrifying, isn’t it? But is it? What if you learned that those one million acres came from a forest of 667 million acres, so only 0.15% were cut? Would the statistic sound as bad? Probably not. Some environmental groups and media want you to think these things are bad when, in reality, there’s so much more to the story. John Mullinder is the person to stand up and state how it is in his book Little Green Lies and Other BS: From "Ancient" Forests to "Zero" Waste. This book is extremely easy to navigate, as the chapters are in alphabetical order, with titles such as "deforestation," "recycling," "toilet paper," and "Xmas paper" (that chapter alone is an eye-opener).

Did you know that your pizza boxes are recyclable, yep, cheese, grease, and all. There’s so much useful detail like this that you can learn from the book. Speaking of recyclable, that and recycling are not the same. Just because something is recyclable, it doesn’t mean it gets recycled. When you think that you’re recycling bottles and plastics by simply placing them in the appropriate bins, you’re not. You’re just sending them off to be recycled. Once they reach the plant, for any number of reasons, maybe only 30% end up in a new product. I could give you hundreds of these anecdotes from the book, but it’s best if you read them all for yourself. If you’re ready to learn the truth about what’s going on in the world, the environment, and across the media, this book is for you. Little Green Lies and Other BS by John Mullinder will open your eyes and inform you about the truth behind greenwashing.

Environmental damage and the proposed solutions have become controversial topics, with opposing views, misconceptions, and disinformation. Little Green Lies and Other BS by John Mullinder provides fresh perspectives in a book aimed at both the consumer and the media. The author believes that both sides in the growing debate are guilty of making unsubstantiated claims. He questions whether truly ancient forests exist, as an example citing that most of Canada’s trees are less than 100 years old. The book seeks to bring clarity, avoid confusion, and cut out emotion, pointing out that deforestation can be due to other causes such as residential development, golf courses, mining, and conversion to agricultural land. The author laments sloppy journalism and spurious arguments, such as the exaggerated claims involving Christmas wrapping paper wastage. Greenwashing terminology like eco-friendly and environmentally friendly is common. Confusion abounds over words such as recycled, recyclable, and reusable, when it seems clear that nothing is 100% recyclable and zero waste is a myth. The recycling process is dealt with in detail. The cost of recycling is evaluated, particularly for plastics, while sustainability remains a complex issue. Cardboard packaging is also discussed, as well as landfill. Calls for a paperless society ignore the environmental impact of computers, with high energy consumption, increased hardware capacity, and e-waste.

John Mullinder has considerable experience in the paper, packaging, recycling, and waste areas. Little Green Lies and Other BS asks searching questions, such as whether consumption is the real driver behind the packaging waste problem, noting the excessively elaborate packaging of beauty, toiletry, and cosmetic products, while pondering whether we really need them. Myths are dispelled, data is analyzed, and compared. I liked the solid waste disposal pie chart as it is particularly striking, with food emerging as a major culprit. Paper is not the main problem, as much can be recycled, even pizza boxes. The focus is on the USA and Canada, although the author points out that the rates of deforestation and recycling vary widely from country to country. An explanation of key terms is most helpful, exploring topics such as the circular economy, while a list of sources and definitions in the endnotes rounds off a well-researched publication that will add balance to the environmental discourse. An appendix covers deforestation. The writing is concise and the arguments compelling. This work is a call for a more informed and open debate, and in that it succeeds admirably. This incisive look at environmental damage is thought-provoking, whichever side of the fence the reader may sit.