This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Andy Hoffman, Holcilm Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and School of Environment and Sustainability. This extensive conversation starts with inspiring insights into how Andy Hoffman became interested in environmental issues when he declined acceptances from graduate school at Harvard and Berkeley and instead worked as a carpenter for several years in Nantucket. 

Topics include the notions of ‘environmental sustainability’ and ‘big business’ which sometimes seem as incompatible as oil and water and ways to make a synthesis a reality by seriously reconsidering the way we currently conduct public policy and even some deep aspects of our current societal values.

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Clarity vs. Popularity, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

I. Building a Career - Getting a lay of the land

II. Environmental Evolution - Fringe and mainstream

III. Beyond Punditry - The cultural backdrop to climate change

IV. Fostering Debate - Engaging, responsibly

V. American Exceptionalism? - Discussions on uniqueness

VI. Talking the Talk - Communicating science better

VII. Breaching to the Choir? - How to make genuine social progress

VIII. Energy Renaissance - Government’s role

IX. Reinventing Sustainability - Imagining the long term

X. Surprising Revolutionaries - Idealistic business students

XI. Setting Ideals - Towards a North Star

XII. Impact - Changing hearts and minds

XIII. The Passion Principle - Discovering our calling

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.