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

Michael Brune (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books; First Printing edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578051495
• ISBN-13: 978-1578051496
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,552,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for getting informed, inspired and involved August 27, 2008

By Tracy Solum

Format:Paperback

Coming Clean is an important book that is a really great read for anyone who wants to understand why America is addicted to oil and coal, and more importantly, learn how people are fighting for a clean energy future that will be good for our country, our economy, and the planet as a whole. Even more importantly, you'll learn about many ways you can get involved and be a part of the solution yourself.

I really liked Coming Clean's focus on vision and action, combined with its hopeful tone giving a sense of what is possible and plenty of inspiration and tools as promised on the cover. I started using the Take Action and Resources sections before I even finished the book. I also found there to be a lot more useful nuts and bolts and thought-provoking information and statistics in this book than other more challenges-focused books that tend to be overloaded with less essential info (and that for me usually start to feel onerous around the halfway to 2/3 mark).

In contrast, Coming Clean is lean and focused with clarity of purpose. There's great use of humor and engaging stories of people making a difference that make it an enjoyable, quick read. But once you are finished, you will likely be inspired enough to return to it often to utilize its many tools for taking both individual and collective action.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a realistic and hopeful approach to climate change August 27, 2008

By Debra

Format:Paperback

I thoroughly enjoyed Coming Clean! Michael Brune writes about complex issues of climate change and energy in an accessible, engaging way. The book is chock full of information - it clearly presents the problems we're facing, but it doesn't make you feel hopeless. Brune tells fascinating stories with an insider's view of past activism to stop major corporations from destroying our environment, as well as stories of regular people taking action in their communities. Every couple of pages, I found myself jumping out of my seat to share something with my boyfriend or whoever happened to be nearby at the time. I love that every chapter gives you things you can do right away to address the issues raised in that chapter. It's a very empowering and affirming read!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading September 9, 2008

By T. Haswell

Format:Paperback

Coming Clean hits all the right notes. In his first book, Michael Brune meets the challenges of a climate in crisis and an imperiled environment head on. Brune offers hope to those feeling helpless and overwhelmed by climate change and our global addiction to fossil fuels. More than just another primer on the most urgent environmental issues of the day (though it fills that niche effectively), Coming Clean offers easy steps that any citizen can take to help usher in a clean energy economy.

Coming Clean isn't another environmental treatise accessible only to the academic elite. This book is for the rest of us. Every chapter engages the reader by putting a human face on complex issues ranging from oil and coal to biofuels to building a safer, more efficient mass transit system.

If you ever wanted to make a difference but weren't sure how to get started, pick up a copy of Coming Clean and create an environmental legacy you'll be proud to leave to the next generation.