Energy: Perspectives, Problems, and Prospects

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The book offers a comprehensive account of how the world evolved to its present state in which humans now exercise a powerful, in many cases dominant, influence for global environmental change. It outlines the history that led to this position of dominance, in particular the role played by our increasing reliance on fossil sources of energy, on coal, oil and natural gas, and the problems that we are now forced to confront as a result of this history. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is greater now than at any time over at least the past 650,000 years with prospects to increase over the next few decades to levels not seen since dinosaurs roamed the Earth 65 million years ago. Comparable changes are evident also for methane and nitrous oxide and for a variety of other constituents of the atmosphere including species such as the ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons for which there are no natural analogues. Increases in the concentrations of so-called greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are responsible for important changes in global and regional climate with consequences for the future of global society which, though difficult to predict in detail, are potentially catastrophic for a world poorly equipped to cope. Changes of climate in the past were repetitively responsible for the demise of important civilizations. These changes, however, were generally natural in origin in contrast to the changes now underway for which humans are directly responsible. The challenge is to transition to a new energy economy in which fossil fuels will play a much smaller role. We need as a matter of urgency to cut back on emissions of climate altering gases such as carbon dioxide while at the same time reducing our dependence on unreliable, potentially disruptive, though currently indispensable, sources of energy such as oil, the lifeblood of the global transportation system. The book concludes with a discussion of options for a more sustainable energy future, highlighting the potential for contributions from wind, sun, biomass, geothermal and nuclear, supplanting currently unsustainable reliance on coal, oil and natural gas.

Energy: Perspectives, Problems, and Prospects Review

This is a remarkably broad book on energy and society--past, present and future--that should appeal to a wide range of people.

One of the things that sets this book apart from other resources on energy issues is that it presents a powerful historical context for energy and its associated economic, political and environmental problems. It traces the origins of our current challenges related to the supplies of fossil and other fuels and the consequences of their consumption, going back not only to the Industrial Revolution but also to earlier civilizations, even as far back as the most ancient ones. Much of the historical discussion focuses on Western and U.S. society, which should appeal especially to American readers. However, the book admirably includes some discussion of Middle Eastern history and technological innovations in civilizations like China and India-Pakistan as well.

McElroy's book packs a tremendous amount of information into a manageable-sized volume. In addition to human and industrial history, McElroy also covers subjects such as geologic history, biology and ecology; chemistry concepts; the physics of engines, electricity, nuclear reactions, the climate system and weather. Each chapter is an entire story unto itself. Parts of chapters can be used too to provide information on a particular energy-related issue. For example, the chapter on ethanol as a substitute for gasoline includes a strong, clear and balanced discussion of the economic and environmental costs and benefits of producing ethanol from corn, providing objective information with which one can see whether or not corn ethanol is a climate-friendly fuel that can reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

Nearly all of the chapters contain quantitative problems and solutions, set apart in boxes, that are helpful for illustrating the concepts described in the main text. These boxes can be easily skipped by the casual reader without detracting from understanding of the book.

There are also tables throughout that summarize the facts and ideas described in particular sections.

McElroy's attitude on different energy resources is pragmatic and politically middle-of-the-road. He gives all the major energy technologies--be it coal with carbon capture and storage, nuclear, hydropower, or wind--fair consideration.

Although the language in the book is somewhat formal, McElroy lightens up in places and tells amusing stories about inventors' legal machinations and switching of national allegiances. The chapter on electricity includes a rather humorous box on how to recharge a dead car battery--information that is yet practical and scientifically educational.

Overall, this is an amazing work that will captivate the reader and also serve as a useful reference book that can be consulted when information on almost anything related to energy is needed.

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