Reviews (4)

Doing Well by Doing Good
Green to Gold is a must-read for anyone who (a) holds a leadership position in business or is a business influencer, and (b) cares about the environment we live in.Its subtitle really best describes the book, which is probably the first (or if not, certainly the best) documentation of successful corporate environmentalstrategy on the market.
Bravo!I'm already looking forward to the sequel.
When a colleague suggested that I read this--my gut reaction, after just finishing a graduate degree, was that I was not going to cuddle up with a potentially bland business book. After holing up in my apartment for 48 hours, that all changed.A half dozen phone calls had gone unanswered and I had one heck of leg cramp. I had not only finished "Green to Gold", but was enraptured by it--and thankfully freshly emerging from a slight fog in my professional career.
Finally, a clearly articulated guide for the mainstream businessperson
In Green to Gold, Espy and Winston contribute a much needed voice to the conversation about why businesses will all ultimately transform themselves for sustainability, and why the smartest ones are moving now to develop shareholder value and a competitive edge through strategic environmental action.The authors lend a distinctly rational and grounded perspective on real issues business leaders must face today, and how they can turn challenges in to opportunity for innovation and success.This is the best starting point we've seen for beginning to think both strategically and tactically about what steps you should take going forward, and forms a fantastic framework for discussion both internally, and within your value network about how to catch this next wave of innovation.Highly recommended. This book will certainly have impact on speeding the pace of change. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business enterprises    4. Business/Economics    5. Corporations    6. Environmental Economics    7. Environmental aspects    8. Green Business    9. Industrial management    10. Strategic Planning    11. Business strategy    12. Environmental Engineering & Technology    13. Science / General   

Reviews (9)

A much needed work
I have never before read a book that struck me as being as important as this book. There is nothing that I can imagine reading that could provide as honest a vision of current status in the world and the possibilities of the future.
Must-Read for Summer
If you read only one book this year, read this one!
Should be required reading to live on our planet.
Plan B 2.0 is a timely and hopeful discussion of human survival.
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Subjects:  1. Economic aspects    2. Economic development    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Environmental aspects    7. Environmental policy    8. Management    9. Natural resources    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Science / General    13. The Environment   

Reviews (6)

CAN'T BEAT THIS FOR THE PRICE
I recently purchased the Lean Pocket Guide (published by MCS Media, Inc. i.e., The Lean Store) and found it to be the most book for your money that is on the market.This book set the standard for good, informative information on Lean.The illustrations and explanations were perfect for the folks on the shop floor, as well as my supervisors.
What you need on the shop floor:-)
Hello, this little booklet is excellent. You get all information on lean concepts in your palm and right where you need it -not at your desk- but on the shop floor.
OUTSTANDING!
The Lean Pocket Guide isundoubtedly the best value Lean book ever written.All the Lean tools are clearly defined, along with good, simple illustrations.The Key Points at the end of each section provide additional insight into Lean applications.All our employees have one of these.It was very rewarding to see - on the day following giving these to our employees (there was an employee that did not particpate very often in our teams) having The Lean Pocket Guide opened on his bench to the Standard Work chapter.I need say no more! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Industrial Management    2. Business & Economics / Industries / Manufacturing Industries    3. Business & Economics / Reference    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Environmental Engineering & Technology    6. Management - General    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Business & Economics    10. Costs, Industrial    11. Handbooks, manuals, etc    12. Industrial Management    13. Industrial productivity    14. Industries - Manufacturing Industries    15. Production management    16. Production scheduling    17. Reference   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (67)

A very detailed analysis of sustainability
Just a couple comments and caveats to add not covered in the in-depth Spotlight Reviews.First, this book is absolutely loaded with stats and data and provides a more rigerous, academic treatment of working towards more sustainable way to grow businesses and communities.The fact that the references at the end go on for 55 pages attest to this level of detail!).Given that the authors are from one of the most prominent "think tanks" of eco-capitalism - The Rocky Mountain Institute - explains this level of detail and expertise.But, it really can come across as a "brain dump" where every fact the authors knew of are piled into the chapters (whose origins are earlier position papers). So, if you really need hard data and lots of factoids, this book is a top, well-researched and dependable reference.
Delivers its promise.
Full with advanced thinking and practical examples, this book really is a window (rather, a super-window) to the near future. It explains what is wrong with many systems: optimization of a component pessimizes the whole and gives advice for better available solutions. A must for everyone interested in economics and ecology. along with "Cradle to cradle", the best I have read so far.

Natural Capitalism - China's Future | America's ???
Just this morning I was watching Cashin' In on Fox News. One hot topic was how Oil / Energy prices not only affect gas prices, but ripple across the entire economy - creating potentially deadly inflation. The fact is, our oil addiction is 1) consuming non-renewable resources, and 2) polluting the air, water, and land all around us. This cannot continue for long without irreversible effects on the world.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - Theory    5. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    6. International - Economics    7. Public Policy - Economic Policy    8. Business & Economics / Economics / International   

Reviews (41)

Investor newsletter sold as a book
Dr. Leeb's book makes a lot of sense regarding the consequences of running out of oil, and the growth of world demand outpacing the growth of supply even before supplies dry up. The question is when will all this lead to catastrophic consequnces for the world economy. Dr. Leeb suggests that this is imminent, and we are facing $200/barrel oil prices within the near future. As I am writing this review, oil prices are retreating; after having reached nearly $80/barrel, they are now around $60. How much this is due to a transient decrease in demand (the interest rate hikes by the Feds have slowed down the US economy that has some additional slowing effects worldwide), and how much this is due to price manipulations during the months leading up to the US midterm elections, is yet to be seen. The Feds may have averted stagflation for the time being, but it is doubtful that oil prices (a major reason for inflation) will remain at the current, milder level. Dr. Leeb has some recommendations for investors how to cope with the oil price explosion and period of stagflation. The advise is sensible, provided stagflation is coming in the near future. If we assume that Dr. Leeb has to be right at some point of time, but not necessarily in the immediate future, the investment strategy he recommends may lead to suboptimal returns.
Gives what may be some practical advice about oil shortages
As other reviewers have pointed out, this book by Stephen Leeb makes some straightforward points.We have a complex global civilization and a tricky national economy.And we have a large global population.That puts us all at risk in a number of ways.
Infinitely annoying, but still important to read.
A lesson from Chicken Little: when you are announcing that the sky is falling, make your argument as palatable as possible to people who obviously don't want to hear it.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Economic Forecasting    6. Economics - General    7. Economics - Theory    8. Energy Economics    9. Industries - Energy Industries    10. Investments & Securities - General    11. Nonrenewable natural resources    12. Petroleum products    13. Prices    14. United States    15. Business & Economics / General    16. Economics    17. Investment & securities    18. Petroleum & oil industries   

Reviews (1)

The Bottom Line: the 3BL Fad Promises More than it Delivers
Triple bottom line (3BL) accounting promises to keep score of "people, profits, and planet" -- meaning that it enables a company to measure not only its financial results, but also its environmental, and social impact as well.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Administration (General)    4. Business Ethics    5. Business/Economics    6. Decision Making & Problem Solving    7. Development - Business Development    8. Environmental aspects    9. Industrial management    10. Investments & Securities - General    11. Leadership    12. Management - General    13. Social responsibility of business    14. Success in business    15. Business & Economics / Decision-Making & Problem Solving    16. Management & management techniques   

Editorial Review

Paul Hawken, the entrepreneur behind the Smith & Hawken gardening supplies empire, is no ordinary capitalist. Drawing as much on Baba Ram Dass and Vaclav Havel as he does on Peter Drucker and WalMart for his case studies, Hawken is on a one-man crusade to reform our economic system by demanding that First World businesses reduce their consumption of energy and resources by 80 percent in the next 50 years. As if that weren't enough, Hawken argues that business goals should be redefined to embrace such fuzzy categories as whether the work is aesthetically pleasing and the employees are having fun; this applies to corporate giants and mom-and-pop operations alike. He proposes a culture of business in which the real world, the natural world, is allowed to flourish as well, and in which the planet's needs are addressed. Wall Street may not be ready for Hawken's provocative brand of environmental awareness, but this fine book is full of captivating ideas. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A Little Hyped Up, But Still Useful Guide for Business
I don't know if Hawken kind of sets himself for failure by biting off more than he can chew with this book: ecology is only one issue Hawken touches on in this book and it is on the periphery of something much bigger - the incredible power corporations now hold and how this is resulting in subversion of democracy around the world, a huge concentration of wealth for the top 1% of Americans, lower employment and lower real wages for most Americans. He needn't have raised these issues and by doing so he begs the question "Isn't the only real way to solve these problems by systematically dismantling corporate power as we know it?" Because even as he describes the new Medusa that is the modern corporation in all her grotesqueness, even as this new iteration also turns the forest's creatures to stone, he refuses to behead her.

An outstanding book about healing our environment and our indifference to the crises of planetary pollution
Our planet is threatened on the one side by pressures of overpopulation and on the other side by pressures of nearly exhausted natural resources and pollution that are threatening to make our world uninhabitable. Paul Hawken does a masterful job of explaining the problems we face and suggesting creative solutions to these problems.
refreshing different approach to what we have been led to believe
This book is a very piece of literature that is relevant to today's world of globalisation against the damages [known and hiden] to the environment.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Corporate & Business History - General    4. Economic development    5. Environmental aspects    6. Social responsibility of business    7. Sustainable development    8. Business & Economics / General    9. Sustainability   

Reviews (69)

Saudi fields are maturing
This book is very repetitive and too long, but it does contains a lot of useful information about oil fields and the complex business of getting the oil out. From the facts laid out in this book there is little doubt that Saudi oil fields are maturing with years of dependence on massive water injection and in recent years horizontal drilling to maintain high production rates.The production curves included in the book for eight large fields oil fields outside Saudi Arabia, including Prudhoe Bay Alaska, are sobering.Clearly there is some risk that in the not too distant future Saudi oil production will begin to decline.
Good Book, Needs Editing and Polishing
The message in this book is right on--Saudi Arabia is probably not as flush with oil as the world thinks it is.Simmons' thesis is a sound one and he defends it well.
Saudi Oil
A great deal of technical information that was a little overpowering at times. Never the less it makes it's case compellingly and logically. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic History    5. Forecasting    6. General    7. Industries - Energy Industries    8. Petroleum industry and trade    9. Petroleum reserves    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Business & Economics / General    12. International economics    13. Management of land & natural resources    14. Petroleum & oil industries   

Reviews (3)

Common sense book not only for CMMI
I bought this book because my Company is thinking about getting into CMMI.I realized that this book is a common sense approach to process improvement.I was skeptic about CMMI and the way that other companies implement it.This book makes you keep your feet on the ground.It is an imparcial approach to a difficult task.You may save yourself a lot of money just by following the guidelines recommended by the author.In my case, I used some of the recommendations in my own process, because common sense is applicable everywhere.

Gutsy and Honest approach to Process Improvement!
Finally, a refreshingly honest approach to CMMI and process improvement.Michael has an uncanny ability to see into the heart of organizational psychology and points out the real reasons for attempting any improvement or organizational change.He strips away the hype surrounding CMMI and focuses on what's really important...obtaining results and improving the bottom line. It might be considered contrarian or even heretical by those making a living by selling CMMI, but I call it practical, gutsy and honest.A must read by any organization considering change regardless of the model chosen.

Unexpected gem - read before leaping!
If you're expecting a book that shows how to implement the CMMI, or even one that gushes about its benefits you're in for a surprise.Yes, this book does show how to achieve process improvement by using the CMMI as a model, but it differs greatly from the recipe approaches of similar books that will have you marching over a cliff instead of improving your organization. The author does this by uncovering fallacies and the blind paths the CMMI (or any process improvement initiative) represents.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Capability maturity model (Com    3. Capability maturity model (Computer software)    4. Environmental Science    5. Management - General    6. Production management    7. Programming - General    8. Programming - Software Development    9. Quality control    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Computer Programming    13. Computers / Programming / Software Development   

Reviews (6)

Raising the Level of Debate About Global Problems
Most people never think about the unavoidable tradeoffs involved in ameliorating social problems.With opportunity costs in mind, may we must dedicate ourselves to a better world.
Global Crises, Global Solutions
I enjoyed Bjorn Lomborg's latest work as a thought provoking alternative to conventional wisdom on different aspects of globalisation. Unfortunately, much of the scientific and political community have become prisoners to theories which have dubious merit. They are followed more out of political correctness and the prevailing winds of public opinion, than research and testing.
Highly Recommended!
This report is an excellent, controversial and refreshing approach to global problems. Daily, the news media and politicians declare that another crisis is urgent. Often, loud, public resolutions accompany these pronouncements. Political blocs form to push through agendas based on those resolutions. The only thing missing from the process is a dispassionate analysis of whether the solutions make economic sense and, if so, which ones make the most economic sense. This book of compiled essays from the Copenhagen Consensus - as documented in The Economist - provides that missing element. The conference drew from United Nations documents to assemble a list of the most urgent problems facing the world and identified those that presented opportunities for solutions. Then it set the task of identifying solutions that would provide the biggest benefit for the cost, examining 38 proposals for spending $50 billion over four years. Surprisingly, some of the most economically rational projects never make headlines and never turn up in public exhortations. When was the last time you saw someone climbing onto a platform to demand mosquito nets to prevent malaria in Africa? That may not come up nearly as often as adherence to the Kyoto Protocol, which provides a far weaker cost vs. benefit scenario. According to the analysts from Copenhagen, the former seems to be a very sound use of the world's problem-solving resources, but the latter costs a lot and seems to deliver relatively few benefits. We highly recommend this intriguing, sweeping conversation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Economic development    6. Globalization    7. International - Economics    8. International cooperation    9. Public Policy - Economic Policy    10. Business & Economics / Economic Development    11. Development economics    12. Environmental economics    13. Political economy    14. Social issues   

Reviews (18)

I will read this again.
Just finished Tertzakian's book... its quite good, just a bit `engineerish' though definitely a company man's view. Especially sobering is the chart half way through showing the effect of a 5% world oil production decline (depletion) coupled with rising world demand; satisfying both will be difficult.
Well-researched, topical history of the world's oil dilemma
So many books lately have touted the looming energy crisis that a new book on the topic bears a fairly heavy burden. It must demonstrate a firm grasp of prior scholarship, yet be innovative enough to serve a distinct purpose amid similar tomes. In this regard, author Peter Tertzakian achieves the first objective nicely and comes close on the second. He shares his keen sense of how the impact of energy sources has rippled across history and altered its course. He discusses the concepts of "energy cycles" and "energy break points" to explain how inherent mismatches between dwindling supply and growing demand lead to crises that can be resolved only by innovation and "rebalancing solutions." Upon closer examination, though, the "break point" seems referential to the familiar notion of a "paradigm shift." And, alas, the author's menu of alternate energy choices is no more satisfactory than anyone else's. Given his historical acumen, however, we find that this book is a useful addition to the expert chorus warning the global citizenry to wake up and smell the petroleum.

Wide Ranging Overview of Energy
Tertzakian provides a useful, historical, and wide ranging look at all the world's energy sources. He starts with the stories of how 'rock oil' replaced whale oil for lighting and why Churchill converted the Britsh navy from coal to oil even though Britian had lots of coal and no oil. In a graph of US oil comsumption plotted against real GDP he shows the dramatic and permanent impact the 70's oil price increases had. After a chapter on the search for oil and the implications of dwindling new finds of oil, he speculates on how the world's energy mix will need to adjust to the upcoming peaking of 'light sweet crude' by the development of "alternate energy supply chains" like liquified natural gas and the Canadian oil sands.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Energy Economics    5. Energy consumption    6. Forecasting    7. Industries - Energy Industries    8. International - Economics    9. Petroleum industry and trade    10. Power resources    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Energy Technology & Engineering    13. Management of land & natural resources   

Reviews (3)

Highly Recommended for Understanding Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? These are the questions students of environment issues are posed with. Letters from Students
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 15:55:19 -0500 From: C.N.Gomersall Highly Recommended for Students of Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? To help students understand thefar-reaching implications of environmental and resource economics, thistext examines a broad range of topics in environmental economics. Itpresents "standard analysis," as well as in-depth treatment ofimportant issues at the cutting edge of environmental policy debates. Thefocus is on equipping students with the tools necessary to analyze currentenvironmental issues as an economist would.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Sustainable Development    5. Economic development    6. Economics - General    7. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    8. Environmental Economics    9. Environmental Science    10. Environmental aspects    11. Natural Resources    12. Business & Economics / Economics / General    13. Economics   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Development - Sustainable Development    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Protection    5. Great Lakes    6. Lakes & Ponds    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Water Resources Conservation    10. Water Supply    11. Water resources development    12. Water-supply    13. Conservation of the environment    14. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    15. Political Science / Public Policy   

Reviews (1)

How to foment sustainable revolution
In the 1980s, Lahti's hometown of Overtornea, Sweden was dying. The worldwide recession left the village in an inhospitable climate with no major industry and a declining population. Lahti organized community residents and developed a plan to revitalize Overtornea using principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Thus was born the sustainability revolution in Sweden that is taking hold in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world. This is not a story, but a how-to manual. The king of Sweden has endorsed Lahti's methods and seen a resurgence of vital business throughout the country while reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Community Development    2. Economics - General    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Planning    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Urban Economics    11. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    12. Sustainability    13. Urban communities   

Reviews (1)

Brownfields Redevelopment -- Programs & Strategies . . .
Brownfields Redevelopment -- Programs and Strategies for Fehabilitating Contaminated Real Estate takes a survey look at the varied programs available to developers, municipalities, non-profits and environmentalprofessionals.The book is not geared towards professionals or othersfamiliar with the basics of Brownfields Redevelopment.Futher, the bookaddresses numerous state programs (all which vary from one extreme to theother) and touches on several topics related to funding sources (public andprivate grants/loans).Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic Conditions    5. Environmental Science    6. Environmental aspects    7. Government & Business    8. Government policy    9. Hazardous Waste Disposal And Treatment    10. Hazardous waste site remediati    11. Hazardous waste site remediation    12. Housing (Economic Aspects)    13. Industrial real estate    14. Planning    15. Real Estate - General    16. States    17. United States    18. Management of land & natural resources    19. Non-Classifiable   

Editorial Review

Paper or plastic? Cloth or disposable? Regular or organic? Every day, environmentally conscious consumers are faced with the overwhelming catch-22 of a capitalist society--reconciling the harm we do by consuming, while still providing ourselves and our families with the goods and services we need. It's enough to make a city dweller crazy. Fret no more! The Union of Concerned Scientists has put together a well-researched and eminently practical guide to the decisions that matter. The authors hope that the book will help you set pr