Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Front Lines of the Sustainability Revolution

by: Auden Schendler

Published by: Public Affairs

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

Getting Green Done is about implementing strategies that move us closer to reducing our carbon footprint, and help us become more environmentally conscious. The book is filled with the author’s personal experiences that help to bring into focus some of the challenges of implementing sustainability.

Organizations that have viable sustainability practices and initiatives are applauded. The book points out that those that “greenwash” their policies or only go after “cream-skimming” projects may be building their images or believe that they are being environmentally conscious, but in the long run are really not contributing to the overall problem. Certifications (such as LEED) that can be obtained with perfunctory effort are discussed.

Another idea that is questioned is that being environmentally-friendly is profitable. Some of the rhetoric one hears is: Being environmentally responsible is simple, obvious, ethical and profitable. The text responds with: “The reality here is that the idea that it shouldn’t – or doesn’t – cost more to build green is hogwash. Green construction is still relatively new…you are spending time figuring out the new process with meetings, consultants, and suppliers… plus, you’re building something better. That costs more, too. Always. But it’s worth it, and eventually we’ll figure that out.”

The book continues with “The reality is that contrary to consultants’ claims, environmentalism doesn’t always pay off – and, if it does, the payback may come so far into the future that no self-respecting financial officer will bite.” While there may be differences with some of the sentiments, the intent is to start a dialogue, and one may discover that there is likely to be more agreement than difference.

There are several messages in this book such as “Green is tough, even for the motivated,” we need to let others learn from our mistakes, “we need more grunts than visionaries” and that we need to focus on the right green projects to make a difference. These are fleshed out with examples.

While the ideas presented are complex, the narrative is easy to understand and the tone is straightforward, giving the book a character of “tell it like it is.”

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting point of view about going green.