The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting is the first book of its kind. Journalist, science writer and mother Zion Lights has researched all those questions that beset new or expecting parents – not just about environmental issues but also on approaches to parenting. She focuses on the scientific evidence rather than on the latest fad or personal anecdote and the result is a book that will help you adjust your lifestyle in practical ways that work for you and your child.

From birth to nutrition and from diapers to travel, advice based on research and evidence can guide the way. And the good news is that going green will not only help to save the planet and help to protect your child’s health, it will also result in a happier and more fulfilling family life.

Zion Lights is a writer with a passion for science and the environment. She writes for and co-edits JUNO magazine and is a blogger for The Huffington Post and Green Living Ideas.

Zion Lights' profile page

I enjoyed reading The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting so much I didn’t want to stop. Parents like me have been waiting for this sort of sensible and wide-ranging book, and I’m just disappointed it wasn’t published when my teenagers were babies. I believe it will appeal as it’s based on sound science, and is well researched and referenced. Zion Lights outlines the available evidence where there are debates about a subject. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on travel, as, although it’s a parenting book, much of the content applies to all of us, whether parents of young children or not.

John Cossham, compost expert and children’s entertainer, winner of the Oxfam Carbon Footprint Competition in 2008

As if being an ethical parent was not challenging enough, we are plagued by self appointed pundits playing on our insecurities. So hoorah for Zion Lights who applies the latest research evidence to the even most intractable myths around sleeping, diet and vaccination. The result is an indispensable guide loaded with sound advice.

George Marshall founder of the Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN), author of Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change.

Zion brings together the latest peer-review science, looks at it practically and calmly, without being judgmental or preachy, simply helpful.

Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party, UK

Full of genuinely fascinating stuff, stuff realistically applicable to day to day life. Stuff which tells me there are options and not that there are rules. I like Zion's philosophy of doing what works for your family. I've no doubt the book will be a hit.

Sarah Turner, the Unmumsy Mum for Exeter Life.

The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting is a refreshingly clear-headed and well researched practical guide to environmentally friendly parenting. Zion Lights is a wise, calm voice for new parents. She debunks the myths, and reminds us what is really important: children need care and time - not tonnes of stuff - to make them happy. Finally, a crystal-clear case for what many have suspected for years: green parenting is not for sentimentalists. It is the smart way to think about bringing up children if you care about their (and your) happiness.

David Bond, Director of Project Wild Thing.

A must-read for people of all ages and all cultures. Parents, teachers and youngsters will learn a lot about how to make "the best and most sustainable/green choices" for themselves and for future generations.

Marc Bekoff, ecologist and author

In the climate-change era, our children need green parenting - and this well researched book shows how to do it. It offers easy-to-read, science-based options for greening the family. Kudos to Zion Lights for this comprehensive, informative, and indispensable green guide for parents!

Raffi Cavoukian, Member of the Order of Canada, singer, author, founder of the Centre for Child Honouring.

The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting is a manifesto for environmentally conscious parents, with bar charts, graphs and tables explaining how to green up your child’s education, diet and emotional well-being.

Anna Tyzack, The Telegraph

There's no such thing as the perfect parent - or the perfect environmentalist (I speak from personal experience). But by doing a better job of caring for the planet, we can also do a better job of caring for our children. This is the argument of The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting, and it makes a clear, thought-provoking and persuasive case.

Tim Gill, writer on childhood

A science-based account of the ways we parents might be more green, and raise healthier children in the process. The whole book is written with a view to the larger society, which is good, since that’s the society our children will have to live in.

Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, author of Deep Economy