50 Green Projects for the Evil Genius.

Part of the Evil Genius series, this handbook of green do-it-yourself projects contains 50 practical ways to lead a more ecologically-sound daily life. Divided into 14 sections, ranging from “Transportation” to “Spaces and Structures,” author Jamil Shariff’s guide takes us through the gamut of green ingenuity. Some projects are very simple, including placing a 2-litre water bottle in your toilet tank to displace some of the water used to flush, thereby saving a bit of water every day. Other projects are significantly more complex, such as building and installing a wind turbine—a project which requires considerable electrical savvy and professional tools.

While the varying spectrum of difficulty in these projects adds variety, it also limits this book’s usefulness. Only a fraction of readers will be able to successfully apply all of the suggestions presented by Shariff. Most readers will manage to glean some useful tips, but may ultimately find this book more appealing as a starting point for ideas. Green home renovations on a larger scale could easily implement several of the projects contained in 50 Green Projects for the Evil Genius. Indeed, with the exception of a few daring do-it-yourselfers, several of the more important projects may be best left to professionals.