Explosion Green

By: David Gottfried

One Line:

A low-stress read for an informative look behind the curtain from a key figure responsible for the start of the green building movement. 

For over two decades the USGBC’s LEED rating system has been an undeniably important part of the story of sustainability entering into the industries responsible for our built environment. Thanks to the work of countless individuals and organizations LEED is now a term known broadly outside of the cadre that designs and constructs buildings as well as far beyond the borders of the U.S. It is a great story, but it’s not the entire story. In Explosion Green David Gottfried shares the history of a world before the United States Green Building Council and the dedicated efforts of those that helped to make it a reality. This unique memoir follows the setbacks, revelations and achievements for one of LEED’s earliest advocates.

As an architect pursuing more sustainable buildings, I was no stranger to the USGBC or its LEED rating system. I have worked for LEED Fellows, helped to design LEED projects and gone to Greenbuild. I could tell you the name of the CEO of the USGBC and walk you through the background of the LEED credits. However, it wasn’t until I read this book that I knew the back story of how this influential organization came to be.

Gottfried’s tale begins as a young professional making the big bucks as a tenacious employee of a development company in Washington D.C.–an unlikely start for one who would eventually rise to be one of the most vocal and influential sustainability advocates in the country. The text follows the series of events that it took the author to complete a migration (both physical and mental) that started with the pursuit of the classic American Dream and evolved to helping sustainable buildings grow through their infancy. In many cases, the speed bumps–or all out roadblocks–rather than the successes that give the largely unknown and insightful facets of the movement’s growth.

The author’s voice is driven, but relaxed, written in a less formal tone that renders the text palatable and easy to read. His is a story told with enthusiasm rather than pretension. Upon completion, the book sits as informational recount of recent history filled with optimism.

At the same time, Explosion Green also serves as a reminder that even the strongest voices of sustainability still make some decisions that end up with an outcome other than the best option for the biosphere. There are a handful of positions that Mr. Gottfriend and I could most likely debate about, but that comes with being human. While there are many of us that are unquestionably part of the solution, we are all, in some capacity, part of the problem.

For those looking for technical, detailed ways to design greener buildings, there is a multitude of other books out there that can help. Behind this green cover is a personal journey that remarks on how much coordination and dedication is required to begin to change the status quo for one of the largest industries in the country. The realm of sustainability is filled with challenges, many of which seem as urgent as they are overwhelming. The present day success of organizations like the USGBC can cause us to forget not only how challenging it was to reach this point, but that uphill battles can be won even at the largest of scales.