Crude Reality

Crude Reality

Author: Brian C. Black

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2020-09-30

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1538142481

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This concise, accessible introduction to the history of oil tells the story of how petroleum has shaped human life since it was first discovered oozing inconspicuously from the soil. For a century, human dependence on petroleum caused little discomfort as we enjoyed the heyday of cheap crude—a glorious episode of energy gluttony that was destined to end. Today, we see the disastrous results in environmental degradation, political instability, and world economic disparity in the waning years of a petroleum-powered civilization—lessons rooted in the finite nature of oil. Considering the nature of oil itself as well as humans’ remarkable relationship with it, Brian C. Black spotlights our modern conundrum and then explores the challenges of our future without oil. It is this essential context, he argues, that will prepare us for our energy transition. Bringing his global perspective and wide-ranging technical knowledge, Black has written an essential contribution to environmental history and the rapidly emerging field of energy history in this sweeping, forward-looking survey.


Crude Reality

Crude Reality

Author: Brian C. Black

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Published: 2012-03-22

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 1442216115

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This concise, accessible introduction to the history of oil tells the story of how petroleum shaped human life since it was first discovered leaking inconspicuously from the soil. Leading environmental history specialist Brian C. Black connects the subsequent exploitation of petroleum to patterns in world history while tracing the intricate links between energy and people after 1850. Today, we see the disastrous results of environmental degradation, political instability, and world economic disparity in the waning years of a petroleum-powered civilization—lessons rooted in the finite nature of oil. This “crude reality” becomes tragic when we measure our overwhelming reliance on this geological ooze. Black brings to this book a global perspective and a wide-ranging technical knowledge presented specifically for general readers, making its scope much broader than any of the other surveys. Written by a major scholar on the history of petroleum, it is an essential contribution to environmental history and the rapidly emerging field of energy history.


Crude Reality

Crude Reality

Author: Brian C. Black

Publisher: Exploring World History

Published: 2020-10-16

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9781538142479

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This concise, accessible introduction to the history of oil tells the story of how petroleum has shaped human life since it was first discovered leaking inconspicuously from the soil. Brian Black brings a global perspective and a wide-ranging technical knowledge clearly explained for general readers, providing a sweeping, forward-looking survey.


A History of Energy Flows

A History of Energy Flows

Author: Anthony N. Penna

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-09-18

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0429960735

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This book presents a global and historical perspective of energy flows during the last millennium. The search for sustainable energy is a key issue dominating today’s energy regime. This book details the historical evolution of energy, following the overlapping and slow flowing transitions from one regime to another. In doing so it seeks to provide insight into future energy transitions and the means of utilizing sustainable energy sources to reduce humanity’s fossil fuel footprint. The book begins with an examination of the earliest and most basic forms of energy use, namely, that of humans metabolizing food in order to work, with the first transition following the domestication and breeding of horses and other animals. The book also examines energy sources key to development during the industrialization and mechanization, such as wood and coal, as well as more recent sources, such as crude oil and nuclear energy. The book then assesses energy flows that are at the forefront of sustainability, by examining green sources, such as solar, wind power and hydropower. While it is easy to see energy flows in terms of “revolutions,” transitions have taken centuries to evolve, and transitions are never fully global, as, for example, wood remains the primary fuel source for cooking in much of the developing world. This book not only demonstrates the longevity of energy transitions but also discusses the possibility for reducing transition times when technological developments provide inexpensive and safe energy sources that can reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of energy transitions, sustainable energy and environmental and energy history.


The Crude Oil Adventure of the Human Re-Evolution

The Crude Oil Adventure of the Human Re-Evolution

Author: Kim Schulz

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2012-03-01

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 0578099918

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I recently wrote a short story regarding the BP Oil Spill, and how it has affected Pensacola Beach in particular. As well as the morality of it all. This past summer, after grieving for a year, I realized that sometimes bad things have to happen in order for there to be a greater good. It's tragedies like 9/11, and the BP Oil Spill that deeply touches our hearts and motivates change in humanity as a whole. With the year 2012 upon us, and the threat of mankind destroying itself, the book also addresses the spiritual evolution of the human condition, which will save us from destruction. It is a story about nature and learning to heal ourselves as well as the planet. It's not too late. It is as easy as learning to control and direct our thoughts. It's learning to believe in ourselves, and in others.


Energy and Geopolitics

Energy and Geopolitics

Author: Per Högselius

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-10-09

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1351710281

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The idea that energy shapes and is shaped by geopolitics is firmly rooted in the popular imagination – and not without reason. Very few countries have the means to secure their energy needs through locally available supplies; instead, enduring dependencies upon other countries have developed. Given energy’s strategic significance, supply systems for fuels and electricity are now seamlessly interwoven with foreign policy and global politics. Energy and Geopolitics enables students to enhance their understanding and sharpen their analytical skills with respect to the complex relations between energy supply, energy markets and international politics. Per Högselius guides us through the complexities of world energy and international energy relations, examining a wide spectrum of fossil fuels, alongside nuclear and renewable energies. Uniquely, the book also shows how the geopolitics of energy is not merely a matter for the great powers and reveals how actors in the world’s smaller nations are as active in their quest for power and control. Encouraging students to apply a number of central concepts and theoretical ideas to different energy sources within a multitude of geographical, political and historical contexts, this book will be a vital resource to students and scholars of geopolitics, energy security and international environmental policy and politics.


Crude

Crude

Author: Sonia Shah

Publisher: Seven Stories Press

Published: 2011-01-04

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 160980063X

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Crude is the unexpurgated story of oil, from the circumstances of its birth millions of years ago to the spectacle of its rise as the indispensable ingredient of modern life. In addition to fueling our SUVs and illuminating our cities, crude oil and its byproducts fertilize our produce, pave our roads, and make plastic possible. "Newborn babies," observes author Sonia Shah, "slide from their mothers into petro-plastic-gloved hands, are swaddled in petro-polyester blankets, and are hurried off to be warmed by oil-burning heaters." The modern world is drenched in oil; Crude tells how it came to be. A great human drama emerges, of discovery and innovation, risk, the promise of riches, and the power of greed. Shah infuses recent twists in the story with equal drama, through chronicles of colorful modern-day characters — from the hundreds of Nigerian women who stormed a Chevron plant to a monomaniacal scientist for whom life is the pursuit of this earthblood and its elusive secret. Shah moves masterfully between scientific, economic, political, and social analysis, capturing the many sides of the indispensable mineral that we someday may have to find a way to live without.