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.
An experienced political activist and straight-talker, executive director of the Rainforest Action Network Brune challenges average citizens to join him in the fight for clean energy, warning that, even though "60 percent of Americans believe that we must take action now," it will only happen by "changing corporate America and challenging our political leaders." Presenting a trove of information, Brune looks at the costs of oil dependency, the dirty mechanics of so-called "clean coal," the role played by politics and finance, and the possibilities for a post-oil economy. "Take Action" sections at the end of each chapter suggest further reading and viewing, ways to profile an adversary, how to identify the most important issues to you, and what to do from there (speaking out, organizing others, taking your demands to government representatives). While Brune is obviously looking to recruit converts, his guide contains enough solid, interesting information (Ford Motor Company's current fleet averages fewer miles per gallon than their old Model-T) to fill in anyone interested in the present state of the energy economy.
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Although it is certainly laudable that the average person has become more amenable to replacing incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescents and trading in the family SUV for a fuel-efficient hybrid, it is equally deplorable that our nation’s corporate and government leaders have failed to demonstrate a similar commitment in the battle to stop climate change. The dynamically committed executive director of Rainforest Action Network, Brune has been at the forefront in efforts to identify and incorporate technological innovations and demonstrate and promote environmentally responsible lifestyle adaptations. Through creatively inspired grassroots and guerilla activities targeting high-profile industries, RAN has persuaded many recalcitrant corporate officials to adopt new energy policies and practices. Yet there is still work to be done, and Brune artfully exposes the shameless tactics employed at every level of the energy supply chain by those intent upon maintaining the status quo. Sharing proven methods to jump-start the necessary paradigm shift away from fossil-fuel dependency, Brune offers an enlightened yet impassioned manifesto on how to achieve clean energy. --Carol Haggas
