Coming Clean: Breaking America's Addiction to Oil and Coal

by Michael Brune

In this timely book, Michael Brune, executive director of Rainforest Action Network (RAN), shows us how we, as motivated citizens, can kick our own fossil-fuel habit and pressure policymakers and corporations to change their energy priorities. His vivid reports remind us of the economic, environmental, moral, and public-health costs of fossil-fuel dependence, and how our government and international banks are complicit. Brune also describes the most promising developments in renewables, biofuels, and efficient design, and offers an inspiring vision of the clean energy future within our reach.

Under Brune’s leadership, RAN has had stunning success in getting corporations— including Home Depot, FedEx Kinko’s, Citigroup, and Bank of America— to green their business practices, and his activist skills and passion are at the heart of this book. Overflowing with pragmatic and well-tested advice, Coming Clean is rooted in the author’s faith that Americans acting together can create profound change.

Genres: Environment

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lays out the issues plainly, grim as they are. But it also includes the improvements in each industry that have been made, and gives an easy list of ways to take action at the end of each chapter, giving it a hopeful feel overall.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming Clean exposes the immense political and financial clout enjoyed by the U.S. fossil fuel industry and the cost to our wallets, health, and future. Readers receive a primer in renewable clean energy as a viable path for breaking our reliance on oil, coal, and natural gas.

Sure the book is written in activist speak. But it does convey important information and in an easy-to-read manner. I think the slenderness of the volume is in its favor. With a small investment of time, readers get an overview of fossil fuels and renewable energy.

[Minh Rodescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is informative in a way that's a mix of statistics and facts. The facts stay in your head and it's easy to follow along, which is not an easy thing then writing about the impacts of ethanol. It can go a bit off track in some places but redeems itself with the quality of the writing.

[Robin]

Hosting a reading of this book (by Author, Mike Brune of Rainforest Action Network) at Simmons College on 3/4/09. Contact me if interested!

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was difficult to read cover-to-cover. It is more of an activist's handbook and will stay on reference shelf. Each chapter ends with suggestions for finding out more and taking action.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written by Sierra Club's new Executive Director. It is set up really well and gives you a list of 10 or so "to do's" at the end of each chapter.

[Ebi]

I want to read this book