Getting Green Done - by Auden Schendler (Paperback)

About the Book

A maverick sustainability expert provocatively explores the difference between feel-good gestures and the hard work of going green--for businesses, individuals, or government.

Book Synopsis

"Going green is easy and profitable." That's the common refrain from sustainability gurus. In reality, though, many green-leaning businesses, families, and governments are fiddling with the small stuff while the planet burns. Why? Because implementing sustainability is brutally difficult.

If we're going to cut CO2 emissions 80 percent by midcentury, it will take more than a recycling program and some hemp shopping bags. We'll only solve our problems if we're realistic about the challenge of climate change. In this witty book, a sustainable business foot soldier with over a decade's worth of experience illuminates the path.

Review Quotes

"Publishers Weekly," January 12, 2009
"Prius drivers and recyclers take note: according to debut author Schendler, your efforts to be environmentally correct are admirable, but are hardly the kind of urgent, unified action we need to really make an impact on global climate change...By challenging status quo thinking about sustainability and taking the point of view of the business executive and the worker in the field, Schendler offers a perspective that is refreshingly realistic and pragmatic."

Dr. James E. Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"The sobering conclusion that I have reached, after traveling to Germany, the UK, Japan, and several U.S. states, is that even the greenest nations are not planning anything like what is needed--they say some green words, but their actions don't match the scale of the problem. "Getting Green Done" defines strategies that will actually help. It's an antidote and an alternative to 'greenwash, ' the fraud perpetrated by governments and the fossil fuel industry that threatens our planet and our children."

Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of "Einstein: His Life and Universe"
"A lot of people talk about climate change, but Auden Schendler combats it every day. He also makes the issue fun to read about. This is an amusing, anecdotal, as well as highly informative account of what can be done to help the environment in ways large and small."

Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO, Timberland
"Entertaining insights from a true climate crusader ... Sure to inspire business leaders striving to make their organization more sustainable."

"Booklist," 2/13
"Schendler frames his environmentally sound arguments in practical terms every business executive, home owner, and government official can relate to."

"Ski Press World," February issue
"A dirty job and a damned good book"

"Publishers Weekly," January 12, 2009
"Prius drivers and recyclers take note: according to debut author Schendler, your efforts to be environmentally correct are admirable, but are hardly the kind of urgent, unified action we need to really make an impact on global climate change...By challenging status quo thinking about sustainability and taking the point of view of the business executive and the worker in the field, Schendler offers a perspective that is refreshingly realistic and pragmatic."

Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO, Timberland
"Entertaining insights from a true climate crusader ... Sure to inspire business leaders striving to make their organization more sustainable."

Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of "Einstein: His Life and Universe"
"A lot of people talk about climate change, but Auden Schendler combats it every day. He also makes the issue fun to read about. This is an amusing, anecdotal, as well as highly informative account of what can be done to help the environment in ways large and small."

Dr. James E. Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"The sobering conclusion that I have reached, after traveling to Germany, the UK, Japan, and several U.S. states, is that even the greenest nations are not planning anything like what is needed--they say some green words, but their actions don't match the scale of the problem. "Getting Green Done" defines strategies that will actually help. It's an antidote and an alternative to "greenwash," the fraud perpetrated by governments and the fossil fuel industry that threatens our planet and our children."

About the Author

Auden Schendler is executive director of sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company. In 2006, he was named a global warming innovator by Time magazine.