Please Help: Suggest a Title for My New Book on Clean Energy

May I ask you a favor?

I was in the process of editing the transcripts of the interviews I’ve conducted for my next book on renewable energy, when I realized: I don’t have a title that I really like.  I have a few ideas, of course, but I’m not too fond of any of them.  Perhaps you can suggest one.

OK, so what is the book about?  It’s really a deeper exploration of the so-called “Tough Realities” that surround the migration to renewables.  If this is something our society has to do, why is it taking so long?  Why is the US lagging the rest of the world in implementation? Are there large, powerful political and economic forces that oppose it? What does our future look like, and why?

Interviews include economists, social observers, philosophers, venture capitalists, and stock portfolio managers.

If you have any original suggestions for a cool title, please note them as a comment below. Thanks very much!

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102 comments on “Please Help: Suggest a Title for My New Book on Clean Energy
  1. Micah says:

    “building a bridge to the new energy economy”

  2. steve limbach says:

    How’s about, ” The Tough job of Easy Energy”

  3. Larry Keogh says:

    Hmmm- is that RE that I smell (hear, see etc…)?

  4. Ichim Cosmin says:

    Lighting up the green turtle

  5. Carol says:

    “Tough Realities: The Long and Winding Road to Clean Energy”

  6. Philip Russell says:

    Energy doesn’t have to be Dirty

  7. Andrew T Fielding says:

    “Crash and Burn” How special interests have prevented America from evolving into the next generation of Clean Energy.

  8. john cieslowski says:

    Ok how about “Really? Clean Energy!”

  9. Juan Carlos Zuleta says:

    “Clean Energy: The Irreversible Conundrum”

  10. Rick Gordon says:

    Renewable Energy; Tough but Worth It

  11. JD Lobo says:

    Dear Craig, In my view the difficulty with clean energy is that the power business is all about matching supply and demand. For example, if 1/5 of the US households shifted to solar/wind, then the cost of energy FOR THE OTHER 4/5 would drop. This is the main reason government subsidies ARE needed. With this in mind I suggest: “The cost of free energy”

  12. Robert says:

    Work outside the box… The LIE behind Alternative Energy..! This will draw interest from but the postive and negative giving you Harmony. Good luck.

  13. Haase says:

    Hey Craig,

    I’m saving the best title for my book 😉 but I think this would be a good one for you:

    TITLE: Green – “Been there, done that”
    SUB: How our nation lost the energy battle for decades and how we can win it.

    Followed with a few “Jon Stewart” viral points on broken presidents promises (i.e. Eight presidents couldn’t rid US of ‘oil) and data validations from DOE and Madrigal’s “Powering the Dream”.

    Simple, inarguable points to push were we have failed and how we can win.

    Good luck,

    CH

  14. Anthony Mirandah says:

    Dear Graig,
    My suggestion is:
    Renewable Energy Resistance -Dialogues with a spectrum of society’s thinkers (or Experts)

  15. Anthony Mirandah says:

    Dear Craig,
    My suggestion is:
    Renewable Energy Resistance -Dialogues with a spectrum of society’s thinkers (or Experts)

  16. rolando jecong says:

    what about ‘the inconvenient truth about green energy”?

  17. Gerry Gaydos says:

    “Renewable and Do-able” Our transition to a clean renewable energy economy that won’t cost us the earth.

  18. gerolf says:

    Dear Craig,
    A suggestion for your next book :

    ” Wisely thinking about renewable energy”
    or
    ” economy + ecology = substainable solutions”

    Kind regards

    Gerolf

  19. JOHN TELLIER says:

    WE GOT THE POWER PAINLESS AND PRACTICAL
    FROM JOHN TELLIER

  20. Anonymous says:

    CLEAN SNF GREEN

  21. JOHN TELLIER says:

    NAME OF BOOK SHOULD BE WE GOT THE POWER PAINLESS AND PRACTICAL

  22. How about:
    The Real Road to Renewables in the U.S.A.

  23. Cameron Atwood says:

    Clean Power – Roadblocks & Pathfinders
    Conversations At An Executive Level

  24. Anatoli Kopylov says:

    How about: “RESistant Energy”

  25. Craig, how about “ensuring a future” Lar

  26. Rajiv Kumar Karn says:

    Challenges in Renewable Energy

  27. Suggested title:
    “Assembling a Renewable Energy Safety Net”
    Subtitle:
    ‘How not to Fall Off the Climate Change Cliff’

    Good luck with your book!
    Lee

  28. James Davis says:

    What about: My Water Just Broke – The Rebirth Of Clean Energy

  29. James Davis says:

    How about: My Water Just Broke – The Rebirth Of Clean Energy

  30. Paul Kopper says:

    “Why the change to Green is so Frightening, “Change!””

  31. David Behn says:

    The focus of a book should lead to a title, and I of course have no information other than what you have said above, but, based on that, my comments:
    For a book that is exploratory in focus, sometimes a pointed question related to the topic would make a good title. How about something along the lines of “Clean Energy and the Future; Do We Really Care Enough?”

  32. Darryl says:

    Death by inaction, why are we not planning for the future?

  33. Paul Kopper says:

    Why is green energy change scaring everybody?

    • Gill Bates says:

      Simple – Old mindsets, rooted in short-term next-quarter or next-year profits from the Oil & Gas industries. Electric utilities are generally not a problem.

  34. brent marsh says:

    The answer my friend, is out there in the wind.

  35. Dr. Kezik says:

    What does it mean “The Green Future”.
    Pro & Contra.

  36. Wilma Howe-Bennett says:

    A View From The Trenches: Conversations on Renewables

    Views From The Trenches: Conversations on Renewables

  37. kevin hobgood says:

    The sun WILL come out tomorrow

  38. Dale says:

    Wow, many great suggestions. I expect to see many of these best sellers in the days to come. As for the project at hand, I like the the suggestions from Cameron above.

    “Clean Power – Roadblocks and Pathfinders” or maybe roadblocks and innovators or something.

    All in all, there are a many great suggestions. I like to see how crowdsourcing works. Good job all that participated.

  39. Toward a Sustainable Energy Future Beyond Combustion

  40. Brian Matheny says:

    “Switch or Die” – Why People Deny Major Problems instead of facing up to them

  41. Gill Bates says:

    “The end of the Dirty Economy”
    “From Chaos to Harmony”
    “The Energy Revolution”

  42. barry nicholls says:

    polluting and killing ,The legacy of the oil companies .Can we be green?

  43. Travis Lucas says:

    How about something like this….
    Going Green is going to suck!
    But then again most of the correct decisions are the toughest.

    Hope this helps!

  44. Tim Kingston says:

    Title: Amerigreen

    Subtitle: Why the green revolution has failed and what you can do about it

  45. Les Hamasaki says:

    What about “Green David battles Gray Golaith: The transition of the gray economy powered with coal and oil to a green economy empowering people to create a sustainable future with renewable resources for generation to come.”

  46. The Profits in Sunshine and Wind.
    Is there Profit in Sunshine and Wind?
    The Payoff in Clean Energy
    Clean Energy’s Prospectus
    The Eight year payback? (Or: Is Clean Energy the Best Investment?

  47. “A Voice of Reason” ……oooor, “The USA At War, Again”
    A voice for the future.

  48. “The Myth Of Energy Crisis”.
    Energy is everywhere. Why do we not deserve to use it?

  49. Réal Reid says:

    Renewables : An Opportunity the US cannot afford to miss

    Note : we wrote a book on Wind Energy (in French for the Quebec market : “Wind : at the Heart of the Unavoidable Energy Revolution”, Ed. MultiMondes, May 2009. Its a bit of a long title, but it says something.

  50. Chris says:

    Maybe:

    “The big deal of renewables”
    or
    “The big challenge for the future: Renewables”

  51. raymond chan says:

    “10 tough realities in considering renewable energy conversion”
    “Three pillars of inaction in renewables”

  52. Breath on the Wind says:

    Hi Craig,

    It is understandable that your kind of genius has more difficulty with titles. It is a different capacity. Here are some recent articles that I thought were titled well. In each case I tried to capatalize on a visual element. include:
    Stephen Colbert Flips the Bird to Nissan’s Wave
    http://cleantechnica.com/2011/08/01/stephen-colbert-flips-the-bird-to-nissans-wave/
    >> This visuals speak for themselves but there is also a balance and simplicity between two hand gestures that act as metaphors for the entire article.
    Giant Arizona Solar Tower: High Energy with Hot Air
    http://cleantechnica.com/2011/08/01/giant-arizona-solar-tower-high-energy-with-hot-air/
    >> This contains a great deal of hidden double meaning. Not only is article about solar chimneys that use hot air but there is a marketing aspect that to name changes that suggest another meaning. This is the type of title that may be remembered after the article is read but is not as captivating initially.
    NEW! Electrical Storage Device SMC! http://cleantechnica.com/2011/08/20/new-electrical-storage-device-smc/
    >> This is essentially a visual symetry in the only the appearance of the title which is bookended by caps. It plays tricks with the eyes.
    Eos Rechargable Zinc-Air Battery: Energy Storage “El Dorado?” 8/26/11
    http://cleantechnica.com/2011/08/26/eos-rechargable-zinc-air-battery-energy-storage-el-dorado/
    >> This article partially came out of your recent webinar. The visual is interesting and memorable but a little esoteric and weak.

    I find that creating titles are almost pure inspiration. I know I am looking for the visual essence of the subject matter. But unless your interviews have a common themetic element it will be more difficult to find. Perhaps you best look at your motivation to do the interviews.

    FYI a new study has found a common economic world control that may in fact offer resistance to change: http://planetsave.com/2011/08/28/who-runs-the-world-network-analysis-reveals-super-entity-of-global-corporate-control/

    B

  53. Sam Smith says:

    Craig – title the book “NOW” with the subtitle “Pay now or pay later”.

  54. CleanerUSA says:

    How about ” The Laggards of Renewable Energy Society”

  55. jacob says:

    I like Steve Limach’s suggestion “The Tough Job of Easy Energy” based on what you’ve said’ it is simple and straigthforward. However, I think the title depends most on what the key point is that you wish to convey.

  56. Arthur Ryan says:

    Craig:
    I believe that your new book demands the following title:

    Green Vision, Clean Future:
    How and Why Renewable Green Energy Will Salvage Our Future

  57. Mike Kiely says:

    Turbulence, Flatulence and Harmonics ,The New Energy Symphony.

  58. Arthur Ryan says:

    Craig,

    I believe that your new book demands the following title:

    Green Vision, Clean Future
    How and Why Renewable Green Energy Will Salvage Our Future

  59. Arthur Ryan says:

    Craig,

    I believe that your new book demands the following title:

    Green Vision, Clean Future:
    How and Why Renewable Green Energy Will Salvage Our Future

  60. Interesting that almost none of the first 56 suggestions say “moving away from coal and oil” or “beginning to use less coal and oil”. Our current so-called “movement” has morphed so far away from this goal. The relatively recently popularlized batteryless RE trend coupled with the continue-to-use-more-and-more-energy m.o. is dwarfing the possibility of RE, even what has already been implemented. For example, despite historic financial support, subsidies and implementation in USA 2009-2010, overall generation grew by so much that expanded conventional generation outpaced RE by over 26 times, even though RE grew by 15%. What made up most of the growth in conventional gen? Coal-fired! This clearly shows how we must focus and report more on reducing the bad stuff (aka coal and oil). We can grow RE and EE all we want and still end up with more dependence on coal and oil.

  61. sunandan says:

    greenophoebia or rewnable energy phoebia.

  62. The capitalist growth model will die with oil and can only renew with hydrogen fuel

  63. John Peehl says:

    Power Barons holding up the US

  64. Panamark says:

    OK Craig here it is… IN THE DARK! (image of a mushroom, with a black backround of course)
    subtitle: What we’re not being told about renewable energy

  65. Stacey Enderle says:

    I’d call it the “The Green Book, guide to Clean Energy for our Green Planet”

    Kind Regards,

    Stacey

  66. Bradley Schneider says:

    As one who has turned red over my frustration dealing with regulators, bankers, project owner [wantabees], engineering firms, etc. I say call it “The Red Line to Green Energy”

  67. Benjamin says:

    The Rise and Fall of the American Empire – Chapter 1: Energy

  68. Narsimha Reddy says:

    Hi Craig,

    One need to read the book manuscipt to critically to suggest the suitable name. However, the probable names are ‘Green vision for the sustainable future’ or ‘Clear vision for the sustainable future’ or ‘technologies for the next generation’ or Earth friendly technologies for the next genration

  69. Narsimha Reddy says:

    Clean energy vision for the sustainable future

  70. Bill Mansfield says:

    Why we don t have the Energy for Green Energy The Pro s and Cons of Alturnitive Energy

  71. A.Shrinivas says:

    Iam with David Behn and John Gotthold.and Narayan Reddy
    My suggestion of a Name : Sanity Vs Insanity in Green Energy.
    The Energy Precipice-Green Energy
    Dawn of a Silent Revolution in Green Energy
    The Second Industrial Revolution in the making-Green Energy
    The Game Changer in Green Energy
    World War 111 Society s Obligation
    , The eclipse

  72. Akobir says:

    It’s not taking that long. Actually, it’s happening very fast, given how profound is the issue. Of course, there are powerful forces that resist and panic. Why shouldn’t they, really!? They are about to loose the very ground they build they power upon. And they haven’t figured out yet how to stay in control with all this transition – the key reason why they impede. You may call your book: “Before The Dawn: The End of Energy Issue”. BTW, thank you for what you are doing!

  73. Windmills are from Mars,,,

  74. Chris. Fuchs says:

    How about:??
    The Clean -Green Energy Evolution: The (Dirty Facts of it’s) Acceleration – Deceleration Paradox

  75. technotard says:

    Craig,
    I came on with the idea “Tough Love ~ renewable energy – OR Renewable Energy = Tough Love.
    But, then I read so many good ones ahead of mine I don’t envy your having to choose.

  76. Naresh Jotwani says:

    Suggested title:

    Tough Choices for World Leadership

  77. Title: IT’S NOT EASY BEING CLEAN
    Subtitle: Embracing the New Era of Clean, Sustainable Energy

  78. Jan Sansen says:

    Renewable or Die

    (… converting this way renewable also in a verb)

  79. Terry E. Doane says:

    Given the picture shone with this article: I reccomend the title, “Blowing in the Wind”, kinda addresses both sides of the issue…..

  80. Don Van Noy says:

    SYNERGISTIC CLEAN ENERGY SOLOUTIONS

    PAY NOW OR PAY DEARLY LATER CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS

    BITING THE CLEAN ENERGY BULLET

  81. Manuel Simao says:

    CLEANERGY

  82. Syed says:

    Arduous Journey to Sparkling Energy

  83. Per Norway says:

    How about:
    Dirty Talk about Clean Energy – How the 2nd best blocks the way for new technology

  84. Jane Twitmyer says:

    Innovation
    Why it wasn’t enough for a new energy economy ….

  85. Jane Twitmyer says:

    Lost the earlier one … .
    title …
    “Innovation … why alone it can’t give us a new energy economy

  86. Leroy Fobister says:

    Mother Earth’s Solution

  87. Paul Taylor says:

    I know little of your content, purpose, audience, etc. but on the topic of going green, at this point in time, realizing the crises we face in energy, economics, ecology, why not be boldly honest and consider a title like: “Go solar, winter, and nuclear, or Die”

  88. Clean energy- we must not wash our hands. or

    Why are we washing our hands of clean energy?

  89. Dalibor says:

    My suggestions:
    Soft energy, hard times
    The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Energy

    🙂

  90. david blakey says:

    The Green Network

  91. Moses Bynum jr says:

    To make true title for your book I wound have to read it.?! I know it’s Green and Relative, But how green and how relative???? Or, just green with envy?? Or, just relative new, old………………….

  92. xuyinsheng says:

    How the butterfly effected the wind

  93. Anonymous says:

    Energy from Earth’s Elements (E3)

  94. Mihai Grumazescu says:

    Suggested title:

    The future of Renewables: To be or not to be?

  95. Mihai Grumazescu says:

    Or better off:
    The future of Renewables: To be or not to be…made in USA.

  96. Craig Shields says:

    I can’t thank for folks enough for your help! Along with the emails I received, there are about 130 suggestions — many of them excellent. Even the offbeat ones made my laugh. I was waiting for a train the other day and came across “Lighting up the green turtle.” I was in hysterics; the people around me thought I had lost my mind.

  97. the suggested title of your book is : Energy without bills and pollution

  98. Kirit says:

    Energy Choices-How do we want our Great Great Grand Children to remember us? As Profit Marauders or Visionaries