9780137049769

The future of our civilization depends upon the continuous availability of enough energy to support the societies we build and live in. But we're approaching the practical limits of some of the sources of energy we've come to depend on most. What should be done about this? Few issues are as controversial. InPowering the Future, a leading scientist cuts through the controversy, presenting the facts about our energy needs, desires, and supplies and the environmental and human effects of obtaining and using energy. 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 the options available for improving it. Finally, he turns to solutions, offering a realistic, scientifically and economically viable path to a sustainable, energy-independent future: one that can support an improving quality of life for Americans, and for people around the world. Simply put,Powering the Futurebrings together the objective information that citizens and their elected representatives need to make energy decisions that are rational, economically sensible, and environmentally sound.

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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).

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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Powering the Future A Scientist's Guide to Energy Independence

Powering the Future A Scientist's Guide to Energy Independence

0137049765

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