Green: Your Place in the New Energy Revolution: Your Place in the New Energy Revolution

by Jane Hoffman, Michael Hoffman

Green illustrates and sheds new light on the gamut of issues associated with renewable energy, a topic whose importance increases exponentially with every temperature record-setting year. Jane and Michael Hoffman use their years of experience to explain the technological and economic future of this ecologically significant issue. They incisively explain its what countries are doing right now and, most importantly, what the U.S. should be doing. Green will cut through the hype and polemics surrounding ecologically friendly technologies and present the unvarnished truth. It will guide the reader through the misinformation and confusion over global warming, and demonstrate the degree to which renewable energy can be part of the solution.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2008

Reviews

[David Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renewable energy comes from resources that can be replenished in a relatively short period of time: biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar.
Clean energy comes from those sources of power and fuel that doesn't produce carbon, sulfur, mercury, or plutonium as they produce energy.
Sustainable energy can be maintained at a certain level for an indefinite period of time.
Muscle energy is renewable, through eating and sleeping and is the ultimate clean energy.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm suddenly surrounded by very environmentally friendly folk, and I know pretty much nothing about the subject. Now my students are telling me that using plastic water bottles (and recycling them) is *still* not good, so I found myself motivated to learn more.

That doesn't really directly drive me to this book, but I knew I had it and figured I'd give it a try. I really appreciated the history that the Hoffman includes early on in the book. I also appreciated the explanations of the different kinds of sources of energy that are available to us.

Before reading the book, I think it's important to look at the information about the authors themselves. This isn't a book about why you should recycle your bottles and not waste water, though those are important things. We're talking about saving our poor planet and the people who live here, so this talks about issues on the government level. But the authors aren't pointing fingers at bad people and telling us to take our money elsewhere. I recently read Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, and one of the messages I pulled from it is that people, in general, just aren't paying enough attention to their health, and that it really might not be a bad idea to put more money into our food if that means we're eating healthier. What I've gotten out of reading this book is that we need to think smarter about environmentalism and, since it seems necessary, make a connection between the environment and the economy. It needs to become our priority.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it for the most part, it was well-written and clearly explained key ideas without being too complicated. Opened my eyes to a few new technologies, concepts, etc. and strengthened my belief that this "revolution" is imminent, if not current. It lost some points for me because it often tried to take a light-hearted attitude, which just seemed forced, and I was left wanting a bit more out of it.

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if I would have rated this higher if I read it closer to its publication date. It explains a lot of concepts around green energy in a very accessible manner. Today none of this was revolutionary, so it seemed pretty elementary. But I imagine a few years ago this would have seemed to have been an interesting, cutting edge primer.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It provides a nice synopsis of the ways to reduce green house gas emissions. It's brief discussion of many different renewable energy developments makes a great primer for anyone interested in the topic.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ideas and recommendations in this book are very worthwhile. It defiantly serves as a solid introduction to “green” issues. Sadly it was a tiresome read – a dull style and overworked clichés made it slow going overall.

[Ed Wagemann]

http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...

[Lynn Vannucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I edited - a wonderful primer for understanding the coming green economy.

[Margaret]

Lots of detailed descriptions of renewable energy and practical ways to improve our society.

[Lynn Vannucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I edited - a wonderful primer for understanding the coming green economy.