From action.RAN.org

http://comingcleanbook.com/contents/

“Purging this country of its two-century addiction to fossil fuels is the great task of our time. Here is the resource we have long needed.” —Bill Mckibben, author of Deep Economy

Finally - a book of strategic solutions to America’s climate and energy crisis! Most Americans support bold action to create a clean energy future. They also know that simply buying efficient light bulbs and voting every year or so just won’t do the job.

Author Michael Brune is the dynamic leader of Rainforest Action Network (RAN), which has been called, “some of the savviest environmental agitators in the business,” by The Wall Street Journal, “a lean, green, fighting machine,” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and, “mosquitoes in the tent,” of corporate America by Fortune magazine.

In this timely book, Brune shows how motivated citizens can act collectively to create a clean energy future. His vivid reports examine “the dirty side of ‘clean coal,’” oil drilling in the Amazon, and how to separate fact from fiction in the world of biofuels. The book’s suggestions for a smart energy strategy include:

Separate Oil and State – “To get clean energy, we’ll need a clean government,” Brune writes. The U.S. gives away $49 billion in subsidies each year to fossil fuel companies, the richest corporations in the world, yet devotes only $2 billion for conservation. This chapter describes how voters used new online tools to help defeat four of the top five Congressional recipients of oil industry cash, while convincing other legislators to refuse any contributions from dirty energy companies.

Follow the Money – “You might not know it, but there’s a good chance you’re funding climate change,” the chapter begins, revealing how large corporate banks such as Citi and Bank of America use consumer dollars to finance new coal plants, large drilling operations, and pipelines through sensitive ecosystems. Brune gives an insider’s account of how citizens’ groups have successfully challenged Wall St. in the past, and how we might do so again.

Jump-Start Detroit – In this chapter, take a ride on the Tesla roadster, an electric sports car that can go from zero to sixty in less than four seconds – without a drop of oil. Meet Andy Frank, the “godfather” of the plug-in hybrid. Learn how automakers and the government are entwined in an “assisted suicide” of the auto industry, and, most importantly, what exactly we can do to get automakers in gear and kick our oil habit for good.

Green the Grid – This chapter shares some good news readers probably haven’t heard before: three times more new wind energy was deployed in 2007 than new power from coal. More solar panels were installed in California in the first nine months of 2007 than in the previous 26 years, combined. Clean power is enjoying its day in the sun. We can begin replacing dirty power plants with massive solar and wind energy farms. Plant by plant, windmill by windmill, this chapter shows how it can be done.

How to take action – Each chapter ends with specific, meaningful steps readers can take. Visit a website to find where your power comes from, or another to help convince legislators to declare independence from dirty energy. Convert your car to a plug-in hybrid and get 100+ miles per gallon. Join with local residents to bring high-speed “bullet trains” to your region. Push your bank to stop bankrolling climate change – or switch to a new green bank that only finances clean development. Brune shows how