Rob Greenfield - Dude Making a Difference: Bamboo Bikes, Dumpster Dives and Other Extreme Adventures Across America

Praise for

Dude Making a Difference

Part Henry David Thoreau and part Robinson Crusoe, Rob Greenfield a former marketing man who suffered his own Don Draper moment a few years ago and chucked it all for an eco-mindful lifestyle is truly a dude making a difference. His journey across America is by turns hilarious, gripping, and eye-opening. A must read for anyone interested in living an environmentally conscientious life.

Mike Sager, writer at large, Esquire.

I love many things about Dude Making a Difference, but what I love most of all is that its not about a guy gifted with super-human strength, sublime skill or mind-blowing intellect; instead, its about an ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. Greenfield is a man with a huge heart, incredible integrity and an infectious spirit for adventure things weve all got the potential for. The fact he writes about his story so beautifully makes it very easy for the rest of us to be inspired by it.

Mark Boyle, author, Drinking Molotov Cocktails with Gandhi and The Moneyless Man

Rob Greenfield is my cousin. Well, not really, but thats just a technicality. When it comes to humanistic values and commitment to making the world better for all of us, Rob is definitely family. Cousin Rob not only has an incredible imagination but also the joy, energy and generous spirit to turn that imagination into magical experiences of environmental sustainability. It makes one proud to be a Greenfield. Cousin Rob, you rock!

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder, Ben & Jerrys

Rob Greenfield reminds us that humanitys urgent need to live more in harmony with nature shouldnt be about doom and gloom: he shows us its about living a rich, rewarding and ultimately more beautiful existence without creating garbage, pollution, or consumer demands that cannot be satisfied. Rob glows with the simplicity and sincerity of his message and has inspired so many to take small steps to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Tristram Stuart, author, Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal, and founder, Feedback

Dude Making a Difference is a thought-provoking meditation on what it means to be both part of and apart from our natural world. Robs writing strikingly captures a snapshot of America today a moment in time where our country tiptoes on the precipice of great environmental deterioration. Through this story Rob offers a humble example of the divine art of living simply to impact echoing positive change on our planet.

Marion Haberman, Development Producer, Discovery Networks International

Rob is an amazing guy. This is his story of how to live a life based on your principles and have fun in the process. If you dont have an opportunity to meet Rob in person, this book is the next best thing.

Ben Cohen, co-founder, Ben & Jerrys

The stories in Dude Making a Difference are an inspiration to anyone who aspires to create positive impact in the world even if that means breaking convention. Its a refreshing, eye-opening reminder that life is about more than things and paychecks; that we can, in fact, use less while accomplishing more; and that all it takes to make a difference is to have a little motivation and a lot of gumption. This is truly a worthwhile read.

Liz Core, writer, Grist.org

Rob Greenfield told me during an interview one time, I dont think its really possible to do something thats going to make serious change in the world without a fair number of people thinking that youre insane. Rob is the best kind of insane, and he is one of the most amazing characters Ive ever met. I rarely get the pleasure of interviewing someone who is real, sincere, and absolutely out of his mind at the same time. More importantly, Rob has also been one of the few people to actually teach me something about how badly we are screwing up the planet. I wish I had the discipline and the positive attitude he has towards everything. Dude Making a Difference is a testament to the insanity that all of us should follow. Its a great story, from the Earths best friend.

Joe Little, reporter, KGTV 10News, San Diego

When Rob set out on this ride destined for 1% for the Planet headquarters, we had no idea how epic and examined a trip it was. Through his trash talk, resourcefulness, stick-to-it-iveness and hopeful romanticism, he is inspired in every sense of the word. The world is a better place because of Rob.

Barbara Friedsam, Director of Brand and Marketing, 1% for the Planet

With intelligence, humor, and heart, Rob Greenfield takes readers on a journey across America that redefines what it means to be self-sufficient. By uncovering a valuable food resource in what most Americans throw away, he exposes our misconceptions about poverty and hunger being irreversible social problems. His determination to show Americans how little one needs to be healthy and happy fuels his journey, and will delight and inspire even the most skeptical reader. Greenfield is more than just a Dude Making a Difference hes an energetic and caring steward of the Earth.

Barrington Irving, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and founder, Experience Aviation, Inc. and The Flying Classroom

Robs book is one part cycling travelogue, one part exploration of the greener (and not so green) side of America, and one part educational experience about how to lessen your environmental impact, one small step at a time. His story is also a great window into what can happen when we make a commitment to make conscious and low-impact choices about how and where we get our food, water, and energy, and it has the potential to inspire positive changes, both large and small, in the lives of many.

Derek Markham, environment and sustainability writer

We can all learn from Robs low-impact lifestyle and be inspired that, even while traveling across America by bike, he was able to stay true to his values. Rob is making the world a better place and empowering others to do the same. He shows that leading a more sustainable existence is not only doable, but incredibly rewarding.

Claire Cummings, waste specialist, Bon Apptit Management Company

Copyright 2016 by Rob Greenfield.

All rights reserved.

This paperback version is also published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerives 3.0 Unported License, which means the information is free to share as long as you follow the simple terms of the license, which can be found at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/

Cover design by Diane McIntosh.
Cover Images: Map background: iStock: ixer; Cover and interior images courtesy of Brent Martin.

Printed in Canada. First printing January 2016.

New Society Publishers acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

This book is intended to be educational and informative. It is not intended to serve as a guide. The author and publisher disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk that may be associated with the application of any of the contents of this book.

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-86571-807-4 eISBN: 978-1-55092-600-2

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Dude Making a Difference should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below.
To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com

Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to:
New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
(250) 247-9737

New Society Publishers mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. The interior pages of our bound books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council-registered acid-free paper that is