Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America

Every thinking person on the planet (and everyone who is trying hard to be a thinking person) should read this book for the very survival of our planet.

The president has taken it on his vacation this week, and that tells you something. The author is a "sober optimist," and now I am IF we all work together to build a healthy environment with clean energy and new jobs and beautiful cities, urban areas, forests and oceans. It can be done. You have to concentrate on the book, but the phrases do help us see the big picture.

Every American should read or listen to this book TWICE!

Mr. Friedman is a very talented writer and has an awesome ability to frame issues, support it with fact and offer solutions. This book lays it right out there in a real, factual and digestible way, and actually proposes solutions to get the US to be a world innovative power again. I'm in.

Mr. Friedman has done his homework! we all need to acquaint ourselves with his insights on the current socio-economic and environmental issues that affect all of us. In decades to come, he will be remembered as future-teller, describing the policies and goals we followed to counter the negative issue of gloabl warming, population explosion, and inefficient economies; or he will be remembered as someone who gave us the answers -- but we didn't listen. Putting aside his friendly, personable writing style: this is serious stuff he talks about! If you have any interest in learning about the multitude of issues related to gloabl warming, environmental resources, and political-economics, then you must read this book (or listen to the audio book like I did).

Following closely on the heels of his first book The World is Flat, this book should be an eye-openener for those who think our Uber Consumerism lifestyle is sustainable. With careful facts presented in an interesting way, neither too pedantic nor too pedestrian, Tom Friedman conveys clearly and logically that US (and the rest of the world) needs to change its ways and if it does, it can regain its rightful leadership position in the world. He not only points out what's wrong with our present way of doing things, but also provides helpful suggestions on how to chaneg and improve. It would behoove world leaders to read his book and change course, before it is too late. I first started reading it after having borrowed from the local library, but decided soon that it is worth keeping and decided to buy.

Brilliant page turner insightfully accurate and balanced account of a very important time in our economic, political and social space. Mr. Friedman is an encyclopedia of International knowledge. If you live in this world, you must read it !!

Friedman, a masterful teacher, drives home his message through recurring reminders of his top 5 environmental points without becoming tedious. As a result, "Let's discover clean atoms" has become my mantra. Not jumping on any specific energy source bandwagon, he stresses the dire need for our government to nurture innovation, no matter whence it may come.

Packed full of information, so full, that it's easy to get bogged down in the reading. A very important anaylsis of the world as it is today, if only we can take heed. Absolutely a must read, just be prepared to take a little longer on the reading as you contemplate the information. And contemplate you should.

Thomas Friedman hits our global challenges right on the mark. The audio is easy to listen to, but frustrating to deal with as I don't think we have the gumption to do what we need to do to save the world. Friedman has done it again. Everyone should read or listen to this book.

This is literally a "must read" book. The world's burgeoning population and soaring demand for ever more scarce resources is at a crisis point. We must all act together - governments, private sector and us as individuals. This is no time for politics, hidden agendas or indifference. Life as we know it WILL change, how much depends on what we ALL do NOW!

Friedman doesn't really understand the negative impacts of globalization, and minimizes or ignores the deeper problems with corporate capitalism. His sweeping over-generalizations make for a shallow take on the subject. For a more thoughtful economic analysis I recommend Paul Krugman and Naomi Klein.

I've been skeptical of Friedman since he wrote the "Olive tree and the Lexus", but I found this book on the coming energy revolution to be well grounded. A bit basic for someone well versed in this area, but an excellent read for someone wishing to be introduced.

I have been following Friedman for a while via editorial comments. This is a great way for the US to get back onto the world stage doing good works, by getting us OFF our addiction to oil. His suggestion that there is an inverse relationship between the price of a barrel of oil and world democracy is well made.

Excellent book. Whether you are a fan of Thomas Friedman or you don't know who he is, I would recommend reading this book if you want to learn what "Global Weirding" is. This book ties the future of the United States to how we deal with global warming. I have enjoyed it immensely.

Extremely thought provoking book that I had to read for a college class. It is a very well written book that weaves a convincing story that there is only one way for our country and world to move forward past a lot of issues. It is somewhat biased toward certain political ideas but it definitely could work as a plan to move forward. Not reading for entertainment but if you are forced to read something thought provoking and intelligent you could do much worse than having to read this book. (If you don't agree with Al Gore's vision of global warming and it makes you angry, do not read this book. It will make you real upset)

Clear, insightful, and meaningful; a great sequel to "The World is Flat," this book should be required reading for informed and influential persons today. It is well researched with impressive and diverse references giving their varied perspectives on timely topics. I enjoyed the colorful writing style, tone and pace. I was very impressed by this book.

A green society has a variety of energy sources. These sources include solar, geothermal and wind to name to a few. A green enviroment is a place where greenhouse gases emissions are low and everyone's appliances do not waste energy. A green environment is a place where people use ethanol to fuel their cars.

Given the context of a green environment, Thomas Friedman explains the problems facing America. He presents the issues of biodiversity, global warming, energy poverty, our national addiction to oil in a manner that convinces me that these issues are important. With a green environment, these problems will be lessened. This is wishful thinking, but I believe it can be done.

Friedman does provide a lot of insight into these issues. He does an excellent job explaining how global warming happens. He stresses the dangers of greenhouse gases like methane, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide. The cutting and burning of trees can raise global warming. The belching of cows release methane gas that also contributes to global warming. Global warming can affect energy poverty and prevent a country like Africa access to electricity. These facts may seem like old news to some people, but it is eye opening information to me. I learned a lot about the world's problems by reading this book.

Awesome book. Must read. But, don't just read it...do something with it. Write a letter to your local and federal leaders asking them to read the book and start the process. It may take a price signal from the government, but it will take the people demanding that price signal from their elected leaders.

Must read for anyone and everyone concerned about the direction our addiction to dirty fuels is leading our nation and our planet. All Americans, as the world's leading energy users, will benefit from the concepts expressed by Friedman as they interact with the currents of a lack of environmental planning and subsequent results if we dare to continue on the path espoused by the "oil elite" across the planet Earth.

A must read for everyone who lives on this planet and cares about our future.
It's tough going in places but will help you understand the Big Picture.
It provides a path to healing that is large enough to be successful.

I recently received a note from a corporate communications officer with a list of the courses his daughter was taking at Smith College. "You'll like this," he said. Among the subjects was "Global Climate Change in the Past, Present and Future." My friend underscored a point that Thomas Friedman makes early in "Hot, Flat, and Crowded." Green is in. T

The word "green" was the single most trademarked term in 2007. Environmental-beat reporters are covering mainstream matters. Companies, colleges, office buildings and homes are squeezing down their carbon foot size. Green is into politics, economics and social behavior. The driver for the renewed interest in going green (a topic I delved into in my Going Green in 1993) is climate change.

Friedman correctly connects energy to environment to fuel efficiency because of climate change as the new green dynamics. Friedman's big point, however, is that what's being done is not enough. The author, now in guru or icon status on world topics, wants a green revolution. He abhors "looking green" and fun green parties. He looks askance at farmers and companies looking like winners because they're growing corn, producing and using ethanol that doesn't cut carbon emissions.

He questions greening claims by General Motors, Mobil and many other companies. Actual achievements are weak, certainly not revolutionary, Friedman maintains, and not enough. A finger in the dike at best. Hype and hypocrisy--and even counter-greening with backlash outcomes--at worst.

Friedman's thrust is that a green revolution -- overthrowing apathy about habits that do harm and prospects that could produce rewards -- should be led by America. He says we're too satisfied, spending too little time or money on a losing proposition: "we have been living for far too long on borrowed time and borrowed dimes."

Friedman says leadership on climate change needs to come from political and business sectors. People need to demand leadership to help them and the nation stop energy waste and environmental damage. Politicians need to be pushed. Companies need to collaborate with government and advocates in a revolutionary green cause. While he does not go as far as Earth: The Sequel The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming by Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, and Miriam Horn, in showing specific examples of win-win green economics, Friedman gets into corporate greening and the effect of collaboration among companies and green advocates.

He cites EDS, GE, Duke Energy, Southern California Edison, Ford, Chevron, WalMart executives as rational thinkers, early leaders in what might become his envisioned revolution. To provide rationality to what the revolution will cost, he relies on academic, government and corporate assessments, quoting Chevron's CEO David O'Reilly as saying it will take "T for trillions" to change the energy efficiency and power path the U.S. is on.

General Electric's Jeffrey Immelt tells Friedman that power generation needs the kind of innovation that's happened in medical technology, which was driven by government and health care market prices, incentives and competition. Favoring solar and wind power, Friedman supports government incentives that fit with the promotions taken to Congress by oil man Boone Pickens (The First Billion Is the Hardest).

While college courses on climate change and modest feel-good moves by companies are derided substantively, Friedman's pragmatic side emerges; he quotes a blogger as saying "it's better to be hypocritical than apathetic when it comes to the environment," but the author then reflexively adds "as long as you know that's what you're doing, as long as you keep moving in the right direction, and as long as you don't prematurely declare victory."

I found much in the book that supports current enterprise and regulatory moves, and I'd recommend it particularly to executives - and among them certainly chief communications and sustainability officers - in mid-size and large companies because of Friedman's perspectives on ways to advance corporate greening and sustainability strategies.

This book will change the way you think about our way of life and its impact on the planet. Much of what Friedman predicts is already starting to happening. True entrepreneurs will be able to use this as a manual for successful business ventures into the future.

Thomas Friedman has a wonderful easy style of writing that is a joy to read. I really like his books and his columns. Unfortunately I rarely agree with anything he has to say and I think he is wrong. but he is a skillful writer, I'll give him that.

This book was ordered in response to a specific request for one of my sons-in-law for his Nov. 30 birthday. He was absolutely thrilled to get it and plans to have it read by Christmas. And I was delighted with the speed of its arrival and the excellent condition it was in when I opened the box.

This author's ideas are extremely over rated. First he writes about how wonderful it is that we're outsourcing everything to India, even though it is hurting American programmers, who are the best and brightest in the world, and driving down their pay ridiculously. Then he writes about how the government needs to drastically raise gas taxes to persuade *the masses* to push for alternative fuels. We should push for alternative fuels because it is good for the planet and for the country. Not because we're being punished by little Nazis who preach environmentalism and fly around in private jets ala Al Gore and living in huge homes built with Brazilian Cherry cabinets and floors. (this in itself is a crime against nature) A very successful business person myself, I live in a *green* 3000 square foot home that will be selling electricity back to the grid within 2 years.

After seeing good people hurt by the implementation of some of the short sighted 'garbage-in' ideas in this book, all I can say about this guy is I smell Limousine Liberal, a putrid odor. He must be the type that want to sit back and tell everybody else how to live. They have there monetary success, so screw everyone else they think. These types think they are elite and above other people. Take it from someone that has gone from nothing to great success, I say that they are not.

I think it's time to outsource the jobs of over rated writers and phony environmentalists.

There were many interesting things in this book especially in the beginning but toward the end it started getting boring and annoying to read. Learned a couple of good lessons from the book overall a alright read!