Energy at the Crossroads

Global Perspectives and Uncertainties

Vaclav Smil

430 pages, parution le 31/03/2005

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Résumé

In Energy at the Crossroads, Vaclav Smil considers the twenty-first century's crucial question: how to reconcile the modern world's unceasing demand for energy with the absolute necessity to preserve the integrity of the biosphere. With this book, he offers a comprehensive, accessible guide to today's complex energy issues -- how to think clearly and logically about what is possible and what is desirable in our energy future.

After a century of unprecedented production growth, technical innovation, and expanded consumption, the world faces a number of critical energy challenges arising from unequal resource distribution, changing demand patterns, and environmental limitations. The fundamental message of Energy at the Crossroads is that our dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced not because of any imminent resource shortages but because the widespread burning of oil, coal, and natural gas damages the biosphere and presents increasing economic and security problems as the world relies on more expensive supplies and Middle Eastern crude oil.

Smil begins with an overview of the twentieth century's long-term trends and achievements in energy production. He then discusses energy prices, the real cost of energy, and "energy linkages" -- the effect energy issues have on the economy, on quality of life, on the environment, and in wartime. He discusses the pitfalls of forecasting, giving many examples of failed predictions and showing that unexpected events can disprove complex models. And he examines the pros and cons not only of fossil fuels but also of alternative fuels such as hydroenergy, biomass energy, wind power, and solar power. Finally, he considers the future, focusing on what really matters, what works, what is realistic, and which outcomes are most desirable.

L'auteur - Vaclav Smil

Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor of Geography at the University of Manitoba, Canada, and is the author of many books on energy and the environment. In 2001 he received the Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Sommaire

Long-Term Trends and Achievements
Energy Linkages
Against Forecasting
Fossil Fuel Futures
Nonfossil Energies
Possible Futures

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Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	The MIT Press
Auteur(s)	Vaclav Smil
Parution	31/03/2005
Nb. de pages	430
Format	17,5 x 23
Couverture	Broché
Poids	740g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780262693240
ISBN13	978-0-262-69324-0