Powering the Future: A Scientist's Guide to Energy Independence

Author:   Daniel B. Botkin
Publisher:   Pearson Education (US)
ISBN:  

9780137049769


Pages:   352
Publication Date:   13 May 2010
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

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Powering the Future: A Scientist's Guide to Energy Independence


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Overview

Dr. Daniel B. Botkin objectively assesses the true prospects, limitations, costs, risks, dangers, and tradeoffs associated with every leading and emerging source of energy, including oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, solar, ocean power, and biofuels. Next, Botkin addresses the energy distribution system, outlining how it currently works, identifying its inefficiencies, and reviewing options for improving it.   Finally, Botkin turns to solutions, offering a realistic, scientifically and economically viable path to a sustainable, energy-independent future: one that can improve the quality of life for Americans and for people around the world.   The Future of Fossil Fuels What can we realistically expect from oil, gas, and coal?   Will Alternative Energy Sources Really Matter? Running the numbers on solar, wind, biofuels, and other renewables   Must We All Wear Sweaters and Live in Caves? The right role for efficiency--and why energy minimalism isn’t the solution   Where We Can Start--and What Will Happen if We Don’t No magic bullet, but there are sensible, realistic solutions

Full Product Details

Author:   Daniel B. Botkin
Publisher:   Pearson Education (US)
Imprint:   Financial TImes Prentice Hall
Dimensions:   Width: 15.80cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.602kg
ISBN:  

9780137049769


ISBN 10:   0137049765
Pages:   352
Publication Date:   13 May 2010
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     xiii About the Author     xv Preface     xvii   Introduction: Blackout     1 Section I: Conventional Energy Sources     15 Chapter 1   Oil     19 Chapter 2   Natural Gas     37 Chapter 3   Coal     51 Chapter 4   Water Power     73 Chapter 5   Nuclear Power     85   Section II: New Energy Sources     115 Chapter 6   Wind Power     119 Chapter 7   Solar Power     141 Chapter 8   Ocean Power     163 Chapter 9   Biofuels     173   Section III: Designing an Energy System     197 Chapter 10  Transporting Energy: the Grid, Hydrogen, Batteries, and More     199 Chapter 11  Transporting Things     211 Chapter 12  Saving Energy at Home and Finding Energy at Your Feet     227 Chapter 13  Solutions     245 Endnotes     279 Index     313  

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Author Information

Daniel B. Botkin is Professor (Emeritus), Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, and President, The Center for The Study of The Environment, a nonprofit corporation that provides independent, science-based analyses of complex environmental issues. The New York Times has called him “one of the world’s leading environmental researchers,” who has “done much to popularize the concept of using yet maintaining the world’s natural resources.”   His research includes creating the first successful computer simulation in ecology; studies of wilderness and natural parks ecosystems--from the Serengeti Plains of Africa to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota and Isle Royale National Park; threatened and endangered species--whooping cranes, salmon, bowhead and sperm whales, and African elephants. He was among the first to investigate possible ecological effects of global warming and to help NASA use satellite imaging to study the Earth’s global environment.   His dozen books include Discordant Harmonies: A New Ecology for the 21st Century, which “is considered by many ecologists to be the classic text of the [environmental] movement,” according to the New York Times. Beyond the Stony Mountains describes nature in the American West before European settlement, based on the journals of Lewis and Clark. No Man’s Garden analyzes the value of nature and the relationship between people and nature. He has published op-ed pieces in many major newspapers concerning global warming, biological diversity, and energy, and more than 150 scientific papers.   His recent awards include the Astor Annual Lectureship for 2007 (Oxford University); annual distinguished visiting scholar for 2008 (Green Mountain College, Vermont); and the Long Beach Aquarium, Long Beach, California, has appointed him its first-ever distinguished visiting scientist for November 2008. He is also the recipient of the Fernow Award for Outstanding Contributions in International Forestry and the winner of the Mitchell International Prize for Sustainable Development.   His other academic appointments include Professor of Biology and Director of The Program in Global Change at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Professor of Systems Ecology at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; and Research Scientist, The Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, MA. His degrees are B.A. (Physics; University of Rochester), M.A. (Literature, University of Wisconsin), and Ph.D. (Biology, Rutgers University).  

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