Flip to back
Flip to front
The GeoPolitics of Energy:: Achieving a Just and Sustainable Energy Distribution by 2040 Paperback – November 20, 2007
Editorial Reviews
Review
Geologists Wright and Conca have compiled a colorfully illustrated manual for understanding energy sources, energy usage and its future around the world. The authors take a new tack in exploring future energy needs: They consider the usage that will result when the entire population achieves a reasonable standard of living, as this provides a desirable ethical endpoint as well as a politically secure world. Wright and Conca explore the means of meeting this energy requirement by reviewing energy sources such as fossil fuels; renewables including biomass, hydroelectric, solar and wind; and geothermal and nuclear fuel. The discussion progresses with many details for the average reader, as well as charts and other illustrations, though those of a scientific bent might prefer in text reference citations for the many statistics and details provided. Following a section on energy use around the world and the economics of various power sources, the authors conclude that the future power source distribution should be evenly split among renewables, fossil fuel and nuclear. The final third of the book is primarily devoted to explaining nuclear energy and waste handling, including the use of nuclear power around the world and in the United States. Wright and Conca outline the basic chemistry behind nuclear power and how it differs for weapons versus energy, as well as its impact on carbon dioxide emissions and recycling/waste handling. Drawing on their training and professional experience, the authors explain the geology of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and Yucca Mountain Repository in detail that is not often found in energy discussions. Finally, Wright and Conca conclude with recommendations for achieving the desired energy future: educate world citizens, begin building immediately to have needed energy 30 years from now, increase environmental consciousness at the governmental level, help developing nations avoid the mistakes of the past and implement a carbon tax. This is an easily absorbed, knowledge-enhancing introduction to energy usage, distribution and goals. A useful educational title for a classroom or any citizen's home. Judith Wright and James Conca --Kirkus Discoveries
About the Author
Coauthors Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. James Conca are geologists who work in environmental remediation, waste disposal, and paleochemical oceanography. Each has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, has taught earth and environmental science, and has developed and patented contaminant remediation and soil and rock characterization technologies. They live in Carlsbad, New Mexico with their six cats on an ordinary city plot that has been transformed into a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
I'd like to read this book on Kindle
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Want to know our Editors' picks for the best books of the month? Browse Best Books of the Month, featuring our favorite new books in more than a dozen categories.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?.
|
Related Media
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By
Roger Nelson
on November 26, 2007
Format: Paperback
1 Comment
Sending feedback...
Are you ready for $100/tank gas? Are you curious why most environmentalists do not have wind turbines in their backyard or solar panels on their roof? Do you want to know why your grandchildren will someday speak Chinese and/or Hindu, and maybe even French?
If these questions intrigue you, then Drs. Wright and Conca new book on the Geopolitics of Energy will engross you. This concise, but complete coverage of why the world's energy future looks so bleak contains not only a description of the problem, but a vision of the only real path forward that may avoid serious societal instability. And it does it both graphically and logically, without recourse to knowledge of history, culture or idealism.
In the very near future, whether driving a hybrid or a gas guzzler, you'll be happy to pay $100 to fill your tank, when you can get gas/alcohol/bio-diesel at all. "Peak Oil" is here, and adequate renewable energy sources are still many decades away. The risk to America in depending on foreign oil is unacceptable, but unavoidable, for many decades as well. Geopolitics of Energy explains that the rising standard of living in rapidly developing nations like China and India will drive the demand for oil past the price that America can support. It explains the inherent limitations of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. It also honestly questions whether America should use its limited arable land and water resources for producing oil replacements like ethanol or bio-diesel to power the nation, at the expense of growing food.
Geopolitics of Energy posits that America's (and even the world) energy future must balance upon a three-legged stool to reach to the future without societal instability.Read more ›
If these questions intrigue you, then Drs. Wright and Conca new book on the Geopolitics of Energy will engross you. This concise, but complete coverage of why the world's energy future looks so bleak contains not only a description of the problem, but a vision of the only real path forward that may avoid serious societal instability. And it does it both graphically and logically, without recourse to knowledge of history, culture or idealism.
In the very near future, whether driving a hybrid or a gas guzzler, you'll be happy to pay $100 to fill your tank, when you can get gas/alcohol/bio-diesel at all. "Peak Oil" is here, and adequate renewable energy sources are still many decades away. The risk to America in depending on foreign oil is unacceptable, but unavoidable, for many decades as well. Geopolitics of Energy explains that the rising standard of living in rapidly developing nations like China and India will drive the demand for oil past the price that America can support. It explains the inherent limitations of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. It also honestly questions whether America should use its limited arable land and water resources for producing oil replacements like ethanol or bio-diesel to power the nation, at the expense of growing food.
Geopolitics of Energy posits that America's (and even the world) energy future must balance upon a three-legged stool to reach to the future without societal instability.Read more ›
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Jeff Terry
on October 14, 2009
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
Comment
Sending feedback...
The Geopolitics of Energy is a book that terrifies me. It manages to do so without polar bears and without floods of biblical proportion, etc. This book accurately explains how energy use is related to quality of life. With only 1 billion of the earth's inhabitance within what I consider the quality zone, another 5 billion people will need to be brought up to this standard. This will require a tremendous amount of energy, from where will this energy supply come?
The book recommends that the energy be supplied using a mix of 1/3 fossil fuel, 1/3 renewables, and 1/3 nuclear. Under the projected usage after behavior modification, the authors suggest that even the best scenario has fossil fuels depleted within 100 years. Now that is scary. This best case scenario assumes that we can achieve the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 ratio by 2040, which is just one generation away. I don't know if the authors proposed ratio is achievable in 30 years. I hope that it is, solar and wind energy will need to grow from 0 to 33%, nuclear would need to grow from 17% to 34%. I am afraid that this is not possible without significant changes in the political climate in the United States. Local zoning boards are preventing wind turbine installations ([...]). No new nuclear plants have been built in the U. S. since work on the River Bend plant began in 1977, one generation ago.
This book goes a long way toward giving lay readers an understanding of the current energy situation. I believe that it should be mandatory reading for anyone elected to public office in the U. S. (and probably the rest of the world). It should also be required reading for all 6th-8th grade students.Read more ›
The book recommends that the energy be supplied using a mix of 1/3 fossil fuel, 1/3 renewables, and 1/3 nuclear. Under the projected usage after behavior modification, the authors suggest that even the best scenario has fossil fuels depleted within 100 years. Now that is scary. This best case scenario assumes that we can achieve the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 ratio by 2040, which is just one generation away. I don't know if the authors proposed ratio is achievable in 30 years. I hope that it is, solar and wind energy will need to grow from 0 to 33%, nuclear would need to grow from 17% to 34%. I am afraid that this is not possible without significant changes in the political climate in the United States. Local zoning boards are preventing wind turbine installations ([...]). No new nuclear plants have been built in the U. S. since work on the River Bend plant began in 1977, one generation ago.
This book goes a long way toward giving lay readers an understanding of the current energy situation. I believe that it should be mandatory reading for anyone elected to public office in the U. S. (and probably the rest of the world). It should also be required reading for all 6th-8th grade students.Read more ›
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Patricia Burns
on March 4, 2008
Format: Paperback
Comment
Sending feedback...
Energy is a significant factor in determining quality of life. Drs. Wright and Conca provide a broad overview that illustrates through copious graphics, just how important energy is, and what the looming issues are to sustainability of energy--not only for the US--but also for the emerging countries of the world.
While I agree with another reviewer that the lack of footnotes is disappointing, many would see this as a feature, not a bug! For the serious scientist, I do not know of a more concise analysis that frames the significant issues as succinctly (albeit without footnotes). But the real power of the book is how it is targeted for a general audience and lays out the broad brush strokes with enough information that each person can draw their own conclusions regarding the need for immediate and sustained attention to our common problem. In this regard, I think it succeeds admirably.
The book can be thoughtfully read in a couple of 2 or 3 hour sittings. I read mine on an airplane trip and have not stopped talking about it since: with friends, relatives, my electrician, educators, clergy, and Ph.Ds. The logic is clear and the graphics well-chosen and effective to minimize confusion and illustrate the points. This book should not be viewed as a self-contained solution, it is a wake-up call and conversation starter designed to introduce the vocabulary to the uninitiated. Drs. Wright and Conca have started the conversation and I am now participating and encouraging others to do so.
While I agree with another reviewer that the lack of footnotes is disappointing, many would see this as a feature, not a bug! For the serious scientist, I do not know of a more concise analysis that frames the significant issues as succinctly (albeit without footnotes). But the real power of the book is how it is targeted for a general audience and lays out the broad brush strokes with enough information that each person can draw their own conclusions regarding the need for immediate and sustained attention to our common problem. In this regard, I think it succeeds admirably.
The book can be thoughtfully read in a couple of 2 or 3 hour sittings. I read mine on an airplane trip and have not stopped talking about it since: with friends, relatives, my electrician, educators, clergy, and Ph.Ds. The logic is clear and the graphics well-chosen and effective to minimize confusion and illustrate the points. This book should not be viewed as a self-contained solution, it is a wake-up call and conversation starter designed to introduce the vocabulary to the uninitiated. Drs. Wright and Conca have started the conversation and I am now participating and encouraging others to do so.
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Most Recent Customer Reviews
