The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability, Paul Hawken (1994) More than fifteen years ago, Hawken looked to reform our economic system by demanding that businesses reduce their consumption of energy and resources by 80 percent in the next 50 years.

Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, Paul Hawkin, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins (1999) The authors call their approach "natural capitalism" because it's based on the principle that business can be good for the environment. Business is the problem and business is the solution.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Brangart (2002) McDonough and Brangart call for a new industrial revolution, one that would render both traditional manufacturing and traditional environmentalism obsolete; to eliminate the concept of waste altogether, while preserving commerce and allowing for human nature.

Biomimicry, Janine M. Benyus, (2002) Benyus demonstrates how nature's solutions to situations have been the creative jumping-off points for individuals seeking solutions, developing, or simply revitalizing processes or products.

Green to Gold, Daniel C. Esty and Andrew Winston, Yale University Press (2006) Following the evolution of business attitudes toward environmental concerns, Esty and Winston offer a series of fascinating looks at the bad guys who made good, and the good guys-watchdogs and industry associations, mostly-working behind the scenes. Here are five newer books that will become the classics of tomorrow:

Design for Environment, Joseph Fiksel (2009) Fiksel offers a business rationale for developing sustainable products and processes, as well as a comprehensive toolkit for practicing DFE in the context of product life-cycle management.

Green Graphic Design, Brian Doughtery (2009) Dougherty captures the ability of designers to communicate, persuade, and ultimately spread a socially and ecologically responsible message to both consumers and corporations.

Strategies for the New Green Economy, Joel Makower (2008) Taking a comprehensive and realistic look at both opportunities and challenges, Makower tackles the central issues of greening your business.

Paper Trails: From Trees to Trash – the True Cost of Paper, Mandy Haggith (2008) Haggith is a fiesty Scotswoman who follows the trail of paper from forest to landfill and gives a fascinating new perspective on the paper industry’s dirtiest secrets, from environmental devastation to human rights abuses.

The Green Marketing Manifesto, John Grant (2007) True green marketing must go beyond the ad models where everything is another excuse to make a brand look good; we need a green marketing that does good. Do a little shopping, do a little reading, and start off the new year right! Enjoy!