The Godfather of Green

“Brings principles of spiritual mindfulness and stewardship to the environmental discussion” – Publishers Weekly

Social activist, environmentalist, engineer, spiritual seeker – some of the many hats Jerry Yudelson wore during an extensive career chronicled in his deliciously detailed, emotionally revealing, and spiritually insightful environmental memoir.

After organizing for the first Earth Day, Jerry dropped out of grad school, pursued spiritual development and encountered the renowned Indian master Swami Muktananda, who initiated him into a powerful meditation practice, giving him experiences that upended his life.

Author of 12 books on green building and sustainable development, named a “LEED Fellow” by the U.S. Green Building Council and “The Godfather of Green” by Wired magazine, Jerry followed an unusual career path toward sustainability leadership. 

Beginning in the late 1990s, he became a global leader in the green building movement, convincing architects and developers to reduce buildings’ ecological footprints with sustainable design. 

In the end, Jerry found inner strength, his life’s purpose and outward success by combining committed spiritual practices with his life’s work to create a better world through environmental activism. 

Jerry offers three lessons in environmental leadership for today’s climate justice activists: 
1. Always demand more than you think you need and hold people accountable for delivering. 
2. Offer your work as selfless service to the planet and its people, coming from a place of love and respect.
3. Make a place for everyone in this movement, because you’re going to need participation from many different fields: poets, politicians, priests, scientists and business leaders.

“A well-done memoir that holds far more insight and meaning than an exploration of one man’s singular life.” – Midwest Book Review