Getting Green Done

Hard Truths From the Frontlines of Sustainability Revolution

By: Auden Schendler

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Soccer moms drive Priuses. Sport-utility vehicles are going hybrid. Families are using hemp shopping bags. More and more companies are developing "green" buildings. What's more, the business consultants say going green is easy and profitable.

In reality, though, many green-leaning businesses, families, and governments are still fiddling with the small stuff while the planet burns. Why? Because implementing sustainability is brutally difficult.

In this witty and contrarian audiobook, Auden Schendler, a sustainable-business foot soldier with 15 year'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? And how do you convince a chain-smoking karate expert mechanic to put biodiesel in his vehicles?

Scientists tell us we have to cut CO2 emissions 80 percent by mid-century. That's going to take more than a recycling program. We'll only solve our problems if we're realistic about the challenge of climate change.

In this eye-opening, inspiring audiobook, Schendler illuminates the path. This recording features a new introduction wriiten and read by the author. In addition, a new Afterword based on an article written by the author for Orion Magazine has been added to this recording.

©2009 Auden Schendler (P)2009 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"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." (Dr. James E. Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies)
"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." (Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Einstein: His Life and Universe)

Green done tough

Auden definitely has the authority to write this book, as he has got his hands dirty, working with the people around him, making it happen. Well written and worth while reading if you want to know what is being done and what you can do to help.

Pragmatic Sustainability

This is a great and all too short study on sustainability in action and offers some key insight for budding environmental professionals. Auden highlights not only the financial and logistic difficulties of enacting sustainability at scale, but also points out that in this field, change agents should always be prepared for a wide array of viewpoints and objections, and be prepared to slowly work them out - either gracefully and tactfully...or with little to no deftness (sometimes you just have to wait for the shithead in a certain department/position to leave!). This and Mohin’s “Changing business from the Inside Out” should be required reading for sustainability and environmental students. Walter Dixon’s narration is also top notch. At first I thought this was being read by the guy from Modern Marvels/the Hjstory Channel!

A refreshingly realistic approach

If you could sum up Getting Green Done in three words, what would they be?

"Damn fine Read".
Auden shows the scars of his experiences and spins those experiences into a very captivating story. I found myself often laughing at his examples, reflecting on similar conversations and reactions in our own journey towards sustainability. If you are in the field of business sustainability, this is a great read.

Which scene was your favorite?

Auden's time with Amory Lovins has had a profound, positive effect in his story. I found the references excellent and the referal added credibility to an already credible story. I also concur, in many ways there is a hangover from the 1970s that continues to hamper the environmental movement today.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I understand the point that Auden is trying to make by pointing out that many efforts that are done in the name of sustainability will not stop climate change, while it is true these actions on there own they are not world changing, they are at least a step in the right direction. So long as we do not stop at that small step, and continue on the journey those small steps can lead to the big steps that could make a difference. Some of those small steps: recycling, cfl's, prius's, are very visible and can help drive change. But overall a great read, and a splash of cold water everyone should participate in. I highly recommend it.

Green's Dirty Little Secrets

Auden Schendler is what I would call a "truth-teller" and he's an important person to read if you are involved in the green movement. He eschews rhetoric for reality and keeps the book totally focused on the mundane and painfully real stories of greening companies. The book reflects a lifetime of environmental committment and dozens of traps to watch out for along the way. He's been there and done it. Sometimes he has done it wrong, but he always learns from his mistakes and better yet, tells us about them. He doesn't kowtow to the Sacred Cows of the Sierra Club or LEED, which is also refreshing to see.
I was surprised by his extremely spiritual message in the book's afterword, which comes out of left field, but actually places his real world stories on a plane much higher than ROI, NOI or any other biz school acronym we use to rationalize the adoption of green strategies.

Great if you work in the world of Sustainability

Where does Getting Green Done rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I started a job a year ago working in the field of Sustainability and it was nice to know there are others out there that struggle with the same issues as we do. However, I was hoping to gain some real world insight into how to overcome these issues and there wasn't any new information but to learn how to pick your battles. Also, I think the book was a little hard on Oberlin College and the Adam Joseph Lewis Center. I work in that community and that facility is still a great building and a great monument to the world of sustainability.

Nice but misses the real issues

Would you try another book from Auden Schendler and/or Walter Dixon?

This is just another book about how existing systems and institutions will be able to overcome the mess we are in, not realising that the systems and insitution of empire and capitalism are at the heart of the problems and unless we completely change that around we are doomed one way or another.

What was most disappointing about Auden Schendler’s story?

He is living in his own elite world in the clouds at Aspen ski resort, removed from reality of the real issues and greening the current economy does not achieve much, and will be way to little far too late and just prolongs the suffering for the rest of us (the 99%).

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

Not worth reading unless you think everything is gonna bee OK with business as usual.