Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution

by Auden Schendler

“Green” has finally hit the mainstream. Soccer moms drive Priuses. And the business consultants say it’s easy and profitable. In reality, though, many green-leaning businesses, families, and governments are still fiddling while the planet burns. Why? Because implementing sustainability is brutally difficult. In this witty and contrarian book, Auden Schendler, a sustainable business foot soldier with over a decade’s worth of experience, gives us a peek under the hood of the green movement. The consultants, he argues, are clueless. Fluorescent bulbs might be better for our atmosphere, but what do you say to the boutique hotel owner who thinks they detract from his ? We’ll only solve our problems if we’re realistic about the challenge of climate change. In this eye-opening, inspiring book, Schendler illuminates the path.

Genres: Sustainability, Nonfiction, Business, Environment, Green, Politics, Nature

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2009

About the author

Auden Schendler is a climate activist and author who works on meaningful solutions to the climate crisis, including activism, movement building, and project demonstration. A former town councilman, air quality commissioner, Outward Bound Instructor and ambulance medic, he was named a “Climate Saver” by the EPA and a “Climate Innovator,” by Time magazine. His first book, Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution, was called “an antidote to greenwash by climatologist James Hansen. Like Walden, A Sand County Almanac, Silent Spring and The Ecology of Commerce, his new book “Terrible Beauty” tries to reset American thinking on the environmental movement, while also telling stories of family, love, beauty and the trench work of climate action.

Reviews

[Craig Bothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read that takes a refreshingly realistic look at climate change. avoiding cliche environmental us vs. them rhetoric and refraining from ostracism of corporations, the author implores us to seek corporations out as allies for the greater good. pointing to the direity of our current situation and the need for broad sweeping policy, he points out that environmentalists will need the long arms of the business world to get this done. he truly has a way with words that makes what can often be a boring subject to read about exciting and gripping. likening the fight against climate change to the renaissance and the enlightenment, his words are sure to inspire any who pick up and delve into this book

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of few environmental books I’ve read that gives me hope

[Kim]

Read for class//no rating

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution by Auden Schendler got me with its work glove and tag line. You can't imagine my amazement when I opened it and learned the author was from the Aspen Skiing Company. I thought, "you've got to be kidding me — a skiing company — what could possibly be green about a skiing company?" I decided to read it anyway.

The Bottom Line

It was refreshing to read actual stories from the trenches and about what worked and didn’t work. Getting Green Done is a well balanced book about an extremely complex and often emotional issue. The writing style was easy to read and sometimes had me laughing out loud — this is the first time I’ve ever laughed while reading a book on sustainability. I disagree with the author's view that individual actions don't make an impact and what we really need are businesses and governments to step to the plate. I believe we need everyone to take action. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in sustainability and the "real world".

Read the whole review at: http://greengroundswell.com/getting-g...

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read -- probably aimed at business types who are considering greening their organizations. Appreciate that the author is willing to state where he thinks his company, Aspen Skiing Company, has gone wrong as well as where they've succeeded, and what they've learned from mistakes along the way.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't your typcial feel good environemntal book about the climate crisis. This book talks about the big picture & something more substantial in the sense of thinking differently on the issues at hand. Being able to figure out ways that large corporations & companies can make a huge impact by not producing something or doing it in a sustainable way so not left to the consumer. There are different parts of the book where it makes you really ponder about the system overall & how it can be changed. Y ou may agree or disagree but the point is more on how we can challege the mainstream way of producing & then consuming things.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was written 10 years ago, the author's assertions are even truer today. Driving a Prius, recycling, and using cloth shopping bags will not save the world from disastrous climate change. Going green is not as easy and profitable as many marketing campaigns promise. With over 15 years in the sustainability arena, Schendler lays out his case for what will slow down climate change -- good government policies that force everyone to make changes for the Earth's sake. The author shares his personal experiences, both funny and painful, to illustrate his key points.

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for those who want to help their communities and planet in a big way. The things we do to green our families and households is important, but will ultimately be inadequate if not widely adopted.

Auden’s book offers stories of success and failure and guidance to get green done. Overall, a great read.

[WizardFriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slow at times, but the most down to earth and realistic book on "going green" I've ever read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading along w my class and supplemental lectures that kept the conversation going

[Katie Ferrari · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only cool thing about this book, is the cover.

As a sustainability researcher and aspiring architect, reading the title of the book I was excited to think I was going to learn about some case studies (from around the country/world) coming from the forefront of the sustainability movement. But instead the title is very misleading. Just read the first 3 pages in Chapter 1, and you can already tell that it's not going to be what you expected--hardly any educational facts, and pretty much just 250 pages of a guy ranting and trying to be funny. It's only until you get half way through the book, does he finally stop cracking jokes and finally gives the reader examples.

While the author does have some interesting points, I do question his sources (they don't appear very scholarly). Even though I don't completely agree with the author, having an architectural history background and not knowing anything about the business world, I do appreciate the perspective coming from the business point of view.

But as a whole, I feel like I kinda wasted my time reading the book as I really did not learn anything new. I agree with the author that LEED is not the way to go, doesn't work, and that we do need to have more people to talk about the issues/problems/lessons learned from implementing environmentally friendly technologies (which is what I thought the book was going to be about...). And while the book does do a little bit of that, I don't feel like the examples that are used were enough to fill the page quota.

[Anthony Haden · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not impressed with this one. Mainly because Schendler is obviously writing from inside a vacuum. The Aspen vacuum. Schendler seems to feel comfortable making broad generalizations and backing them up not with facts but with opinions based on what seems to be a limited world experience. Claiming that MOST SUV drivers are outdoor/environmental enthusiasts is just plain dense. Sure, plenty of them are, but living in the NYC area I'd venture to say there's a butt-load of folks who aren't driving their tricked-out Hummers and Escalades into the mountains on the weekends. I gave this two stars instead of one because anything that promotes living green has merit, but that's all I'm giving Schendler. There are far more influential and learned authors and proponents of the green revolution out there.

[Julie Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The positives: It kept my interest, I liked the writing style, and there were many good points made that I learned from and take to heart. The negatives: It comes off as very arrogant and superior, condescending to the newly or moderately green citizen. I disagree with making statements that small environmental efforts are meaningless. True, we NEED large scale efforts to make a difference, but it is not wise to give the impression that nothing a person can do within their limited scope will matter. That being said, still a very good book and worth reading.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure, Auden Schendler might keep some info to himself, but he offers such genuine and honest stories about the green efforts he put forth for the Aspen Ski Company that readers will tend to believe his every word. In particular, I appreciated how he admitted that some of the LEED certified buildings at Aspen Ski Company aren't really so environmentally friendly as the certification would suggest.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book's down to earth nitty gritty approach to actually making green changes in a difficult corporate environment. It was interesting, and I honestly think there's a lot to learn from this style of discussion. I was a bit confused when things got metaphysical in the final chapter out of nowhere, but the rest of the message was solid.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the fact that the future of the human race is looking mighty bleak at the moment.

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting facts on the green economy, but not my favorite book on the topic. Though it did help me better understand the concept of renewable energy credits and how companies can be misleading in their marketing when they say their operations are fully powered by clean, renewable energy.

[Beth Lequeuvre · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was hard to get through this one. I never connected with the author's tone. I was really hoping to find a road map of how to get green done and this didn't do it. I did learn a bit about sustainability from the business perspective so it wasn't a total loss, but all in all not what I thought this book was going to be.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

wow. really down to earth (hah! no pun intended) book about what actually makes a difference in helping with global warming, and what is "greenwashing". Also talks about how earlier environmentalist groups stupidly alienated many many people with their self-righteous attitudes, and the damage that's done. No easy solutions, but I'm still glad I got this info.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Auden Schendler gets it, which makes this book really depressing for anyone who fancies themselves to be fighting the good fight for the environment. All the bags bans and recycling in the world won't fix the big problem: carbon emissions. REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Captures the challenges/angst/uphill battle in implementing green programs - I empathize completely. Wish every Fortune 500 company who are implementing green programs would write something like this so we can all swap and share our stories.

[Caroline]

I read the first couple pages and I think I like where Auden is coming from. It appears to be pretty straightforward and witty. I just wonder what, if any, solutions he has to getting green done. His photojacket pic...nice, rustic looking.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read that only covers the basic issues surrounding sustainability. Most of it is anecdotal, which makes for an interesting Sunday read but not for someone looking for actual strategies or information.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the honest attempt to strip "green business" of it's romanticism and talk about what it's really like in the trenches. While Schendler and I don't see eye to eye on everything, I'm sure we could enjoy an evening swapping war stories over beer.

[Mike Troupos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schindler tells a great story! As someone who works in the green industry, there is quite a bit of practical advice packed into this book. Although at times, he was very preachy and long winded about global climate change.

[Asta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it gave both the good and the bad of greening a large company. It focused mainly on the author's experience but dabbled a little in what other companies are doing.

[Serge Boucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. An uncharacteristically pragmatic take on changing businesses for sustainability.

[Pien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical book about making choices in building a green company.