Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future Paperback – October 4, 2022

This book is an outstanding source of data on the #1 key to solving climate change, eliminating most uses of fossil fuels. The author's proposed solutions are generally exactly what we need: electrify everything. That means we need to convert to electric vehicles (already happening but not fast enough) and electric heating (with heat pumps, for both buildings and for hot water). As an "Optimist's Playbook for our Clean Energy Future", Saul Griffith correctly asserts that we already have the technology to make the transition away from fossil fuels and that we will ultimately save money, as a country, doing so. The Appendixes in the book contain lots of excellent additional information that Griffith thought was too technical to be included in the body of the book. He wryly calls the Appendixes "Rabbit Holes". In one of the Appendixes he addresses Carbon Taxes, something he dismisses in Chapter 1 with "it's too late for carbon taxes". That is what I consider the major flaw to the book. Griffith dismisses the politics of solving climate change in the US. Well, a carbon tax in the form of Carbon Fee and Dividend, as has been proposed by the Citizens' Climate Lobby and some other groups (and has been introduced as legislation in the US House of Representatives) would be the politically feasible way to accomplish everything that Griffith has proposed. The US cannot give out enough subsidies as was in President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act to solve the problem. Regulation could solve the problem, but given the political realities in the US, regulation would take too long and given US politics, there would be endless struggles over the details. Carbon Fee and Dividend would be a huge boost to most of the country and is the most important first step to getting greater electrification of everything.

I have been a professional in the energy efficiency industry for multiple decades and reading this book I felt like it was exactly what I've been trying to tell everyone. Its as if I wrote the book myself, but with more cohesive points, better writing skills, and much better research. This book will teach you why electrification is important, and how its very doable on both the individual and global level. There is a lot of misinformation and nay-sayers out there. This book does the research to shut that all down.

Electrify is filled with excellent, workable and frequently feasible ideas for solving the energy/climate crisis. The book should be read and applied by those concerned and engaged in the problem, which is pretty much all of us.BUT, regardless of how much the author glosses over or ignores many realities, there is a lot of "pie in the sky" here. Some political realities will not be overcome, further, as I read the book I became somewhat unconvinced of the possibilities, not just politically, but physically. I particularly question how soon we can actually electrify all cars, among other solutions presented, without far more heavy disruptions than Griffith allows for.If there is one biggest issue that presents itself here, and in all discussion of climate change, and I'm a believer saying this, it is that a large percentage of the public, perhaps a majority, doesn't believe in how serious the issue is, and for that many are to blame for not explaining it in a lucid, cogent manner, and simply disregarding their lack of understanding. Griffith, and others like him have a ways to go to pull that off, and if you read this work, you'll likely see why.

Saul Griffith has crafted an entirely readable and incredibly well researched ( and documented ) book that makes a compelling case for the need to electrify everything now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by climate doom, this book will provide a refreshing dose of optimism and actionable steps you can take to help secure a sustainable and just future for everyone. Highly recommend.

One of the best books i have read in quite awhile. In a fact based (and interesting) manner outlines where the world stands in terms of energy use, and what we can do about it. We CAN solve climate change and make our world significantly better. I like that it goes from world level statistics to what I can do today... right now.

The book provides a thorough and informative description of a path to clean energy future.The vision presented by the author as a potential path to that possible future is thought provoking snd inspiring.I look forward to sharing the recommendation.

This book was recommended to me, and after reading, I purchased 3 more and gave them as gifts. Very enjoyable read, fascinating information, and good plan laid out to reduce utility bills and carbons by shifting to electrifying, well everything!