4 Horsemen Publications is happy to announce that Ancient Wisdom, Modern Sustainability: Lessons from Our Ancestors for a Greener Future by Lael Gibel, is now available for preorder!
The past offers inspiration for living more sustainably today.
Lael Giebel aims to show readers how ancient civilizations thrived in balance with nature without modern technology. Motivated by the need for practical, budget-friendly solutions to current environmental challenges, her goal is to bridge the gap between historical success and modern struggle, providing a guide for anyone looking to live more sustainably.
From Indonesia’s traditional herbal medicine, jamu, to India’s ancient rainwater harvesting systems and Indigenous seed-saving, the ancient world offers a blueprint for survival. These cultures functioned through reciprocal economies and natural-wellness practices that have been lost to modern industrialization. This world of timeless wisdom serves as the foundation for actionable steps that do not require a large budget or an environmental science degree.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Sustainability distills ancient principles into a practical guide for homeowners, students, business leaders, or anyone looking to live more gently on the planet.
You can find this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere else you buy books online, but if you pre-order directly from us right here on our website, you’ll receive 15% OFF!
If you follow me at all, then you know I have a healthy obsession with trees. So during a walk in a local park recently, I was delighted to see signs mounted on trees detailing the annual monetary value of the benefits each tree brings to our community. It underscores the often-overlooked economic contribution that each tree makes, namely:
🌳 Improved air quality
🌲 Energy savings
🌴 Filtered pollutants
🎋 Improved mental health
🌳 Increased property value
Trees are vital to our existence and well-being, from the towering oaks in the countryside to the leafy sentinels in our city parks. Recognizing trees in economic terms fosters greater environmental stewardship and reinforces the argument for urban green spaces. Let’s delve into the surprising ways trees, especially those in urban environments, contribute to the health of everything around them—ourselves included.
Trees act as the lungs of the city. They tirelessly work to filter pollutants from the air, including harmful gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. By capturing these pollutants, trees provide us with cleaner air to breathe, which is essential in urban settings where air quality can often be poor.
But the benefits of urban trees go beyond air purification. They are also crucial in managing stormwater. Like sponges, trees absorb rainfall, reducing runoff and decreasing the burden on our city’s drainage systems. This natural process helps mitigate flooding and protects the quality of our waterways.
Have you ever noticed how much cooler it feels to walk in the shade of trees during a hot summer day? Trees naturally cool the environment through a process known as transpiration, where water evaporates from the leaves. This has a significant impact on urban areas, where concrete and asphalt soak up the sun’s heat, leading to the notorious ‘heat island’ effect. Strategic planting of trees can reduce urban temperatures considerably, creating a more pleasant and energy-efficient environment.
Aside from their environmental significance, trees hold a special place in promoting human health. Studies have shown that simply being around trees reduces stress, enhances mood, and can improve overall emotional well-being. The secret lies, in part, with substances called phytoncides—natural oils within trees. Breathing in these compounds can boost our immune system, showing yet another profound interaction between trees and our health.
And let’s not forget that trees are vital wildlife habitats, offering food, shelter, and nesting sites, while also serving as corridors for safe passage and biodiversity conservation. 🦅
Make sure you use coupon code 4HP10 for 10% OFF your entire order.
I’m all about sustainability in the workplace. It’s one thing to talk the talk, but walking the walk? That’s where the real change happens. Below I’ll share some practical insights on reducing waste in your workplace.
First things first, make sure you are recycling everything you can, and recycling correctly. Check with your solid waste providers to make sure you are taking full advantage of what they recycle, and that you’re not trying to recycling more than you’re actually allowed (known as wishcycling).
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to get creative. Find ways to reduce waste in the first place – can you get rid of paper by digitizing your operations? This way you save money by reducing the paper you purchase, and reduce the waste created by printed paper. This is a no-brainer for the trees and our environmental footprint. Do you have disposable dishes in your breakroom? Consider converting these to reusable dishes. It might seem small, but over time, the amount of waste you can eliminate is nothing short of impressive.
Consider introducing an employee courtesy recycle program that goes beyond just soda cans and paper. Broken gadgets, spent printer cartridges, tired batteries, lonely plastic bags, and even office supplies—all can get a second lease on life. Look for programs in your area where you can recycling these items on your employees’ (or coworkers’) behalf.
If your region does not have curbside composting collection, look into creating a grassroots composting initiative, where you can turn food scraps into garden gold. If your office produces coffee grounds, or fruit and veggie scraps, these can be composted – see if any employees would like to take these for their home composter.
is power, so consider offering sustainability training sessions, watch parties, and lunch & learns. Ever shared popcorn over a documentary on climate change? It’s a game-changer. You could write an internal blog with eco-tips and information.
If you’re thinking this is all super complicated, let me share a secret: creativity is your golden ticket in sustainability. Dive into your local scene. When we did some digging, we discovered a company revamping plastic bags into outdoor furniture, and a clothing manufacturer hungry for our old reusable bags. Don’t forget electronic waste; local recyclers will take this off your hands – everything from clunky monitors to batteries.
Remember, your colleagues may have some sustainability hacks as well. Someone out there knows where to take those glass jars piling up or might be just waiting for you to start a compost bin. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill services you’ll find at the drop of a hat—but with some searching and diligence, you will find the resources you need.
So, take this as your invite to get your hands dirty (figuratively, of course) and make your workplace a beacon of sustainability. It’s a collective journey—let’s transform our workspaces, inspiring one recycled notepad, one compost heap, and one eco-friendly swap at a time.
Make sure you use coupon code 4HP10 for 10% OFF your entire order.
We are excited to announce the release of Jane by A.R. Farina, the fourth book in The Austen Chronicles series! Sometimes you have to lose your voice to find your song. Jane Fairfax, an orphaned, poor, awkward, and quiet young woman, has always felt lost in the world, held together only by the love of… Read more: Release Day: Jane
We are excited to announce the release of Melody of Mayhem by PC Nottingham, the first book in the Aftershocks series! Wars, like earthquakes, continue claiming lives long after they’re over. Eya is stuck filling her missing mother’s shoes in a high-stakes government cybersecurity job, though she would rather be focused on her music. She… Read more: Release Day: Melody of Mayhem
We are excited to announce the release of On the Rocks by Chip Haynes, the third book in The Life of Boggle series! Some alone time? Not this time. All Boggle the Tortoise wanted to do was go out for a quiet walk in the woods, stop at his favorite sitting rock, and bask in… Read more: Release Day: On the Rocks
4 Horsemen Publications is happy to announce that Sketches & Stanzas by Dominic N. Ashen, the first book in the Steel &Thunder Coloring Book series, is now available for preorder! Bring the Steel & Thunder universe to life—one page, one laugh, and one splash of color at a time! Inside this combination poetry/coloring book, you’ll… Read more: Pre-Order: Sketches & Stanzas
We are excited to announce the release of The Outcome by CK Westbrook, the second book in the Before the Impact series! As Florida contends with a man-made toxic blight, two naïve swamp-loving friends dive into its dangerous politics to try to protect its natural resources and wildlife. Victoria Wallace believes the best way to… Read more: Release Day: The Outcome
