This high-voltage introduction to energy combines physical science and environmental science with fun. Easy-to-follow diagrams show different ways energy can be harnessed. Tips on how to use energy sensibly are included.
An informed look at the myths and fears surrounding nuclear energy, and a practical, politically realistic solution to global warming and our energy needs. Faced by the world's oil shortages and curious about alternative energy sources, Gwyneth Cravens skeptically sets out to find the truth about nuclear energy. Her conclusion: it is a totally viable and practical solution to global warming. In the end, we see that if we are to care for subsequent generations, embracing nuclear energy is an ethical imperative.
A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. "I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years. —Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the Year Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows—ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity—for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts—from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.
Nuclear power is not clean, cheap, or safe. With Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, the nuclear industry's record of catastrophic failures now averages one major disaster every decade. After three US-designed plants exploded in Japan, many countries moved to abandon reactors for renewables. In the United States, however, powerful corporations and a compliant government still defend nuclear power-while promising billion-dollar bailouts to operators. Each new disaster demonstrates that the nuclear industry and governments lie to "avoid panic," to preserve the myth of "safe, clean" nuclear power, and to sustain government subsidies. Tokyo and Washington both covered up Fukushima's radiation risks and-when confronted with damning evidence-simply raised the levels of "acceptable" risk to match the greater levels of exposure. Nuclear Roulette dismantles the core arguments behind the nuclear-industrial complex's "Nuclear Renaissance." While some critiques are familiar-nuclear power is too costly, too dangerous, and too unstable-others are surprising: Nuclear Roulette exposes historic links to nuclear weapons, impacts on Indigenous lands and lives, and the ways in which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission too often takes its lead from industry, rewriting rules to keep failing plants in compliance. Nuclear Roulette cites NRC records showing how corporations routinely defer maintenance and lists resulting "near-misses" in the US, which average more than one per month. Nuclear Roulette chronicles the problems of aging reactors, uncovers the costly challenge of decommissioning, explores the industry's greatest seismic risks-not on California's quake-prone coast but in the Midwest and Southeast-and explains how solar flares could black out power grids, causing the world's 400-plus reactors to self-destruct. This powerful exposé concludes with a roundup of proven and potential energy solutions that can replace nuclear technology with a "Renewable Renaissance," combined with conservation programs that can cleanse the air, and cool the planet.
The transition to renewable energy is vital and fast-paced, but how do we choose which technologies to drive this energy transition? This timely book provides everyone interested in the renewable energy transition with an introduction to and technical foundation for understanding modern energy technology. It traces everyday power generation through history, from the Industrial Revolution to today. It examines the use of wood, coal, oil, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear to produce energy, before discussing renewable energy sources such as biomass, photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, wave, and geothermal. The book examines to what extent and how each technology can contribute to a clean, green infrastructure. The Truth About Energy explains the science and engineering of energy to help everyone understand and compare current and future advances in renewable energy, providing the context to critically examine the different technologies that are competing in a fast-evolving engineering, political, and economic landscape.
A New York Times bestseller! The follow up to the #1 New York Times bestselling An Inconvenient Truth and companion to Vice President Al Gore’s new documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, this new book is a daring call to action. It exposes the reality of how humankind has aided in the destruction of our planet and delivers hope through groundbreaking information on what you can do now. Vice President Gore, one of our environmental heroes and a leading expert in climate change, brings together cutting-edge research from top scientists around the world; approximately 200 photographs and illustrations to visually articulate the subject matter; and personal anecdotes and observations to document the fast pace and wide scope of global warming. He presents, with alarming clarity and conclusiveness (and with humor, too) that the fact of global climate change is not in question and that its consequences for the world we live in will be assuredly disastrous if left unchecked. Follow Vice President Gore around the globe as he tells a story of change in the making. He connects the dots of Zika, flooding, and other natural disasters we've lived through in the last 10+ years—and much more. The book also offers a comprehensive how-to guide on exactly how we can change the course of fate. With concrete, actionable advice on topics ranging from how to run for office to how to talk to your children about climate change, An Inconvenient Sequel will empower you to make a difference—and lets you know how exactly to do it. Where Gore’s first documentary and book took us through the technical aspects of climate change, the second documentary is a gripping, narrative journey that leaves you filled with hope and the urge to take action immediately. This book captures that same essence and is a must-have for everyone who cares deeply about our planet.
Tammie is a Best Selling Author. Her first book: Chân Lý Và Năng Lượngwas published Easter Day, 2020. Within three months the book reachedthe top Vietnamese bookshelves and Tammie became a best selling author ofspirituality books in Vietnam.Her two day meditation courses started May 2020 and already there is a longwaiting list. Every-one participating comes away with a greater sense of joy andenthusiasm to continue their per-sonal inner journey toward Nirvana/The ZeroPoint. Former students gather to share the mira-cles they have experienced sincethe course and reveal how it has positively changed their life and that of theirfamily toward freedom, joy, happiness, wellbeing, and even enlightenment.People from 9 to 77 years old have joined Tammie's courses and been healedbody, mind, and soul and realized Nirvana. Those who she has touched have foundgreater happiness, wellbeing, and freedom. Records are available on her YouTubechannel and can be translated to share with the world.People have been healed from ailments such as prostate cancer and diabetes.One person who suffered insomnia for more than 20 years confirmed that afterlistening only once to Tammie's channel was able to sleep normally. That personthen came to the course with her husband and both came away happily, free fromall aches and pains. The wife can even see the world with the third eye .Everyone that has come to Tammie's course is given a glimps of Nirvana. Theystart to experi-ence greater intuition, discovering their uniqueness and specialabilities. Some can even see ce-lestial beings, pasts and futures (Akashic records),and different dimensions of reality by simply discovering their true nature - whothey are at the core.Tammie's unique power to heal is even accessed by those who connect withher through her YouTube channel. Many people are healed from low self-esteem/depression. Some can see the higher self of Tammie appearing in dreams to healthem. They wake up completely healed. They share these stories on her channel.May all beings realize true freedom, true happiness, and experience a life ofuniversal energy joy, love, and bliss.I love you. You are amazing. Thank you.Words are not the best tools to communicate Tammie's amazing abilities. Sheinvites you to come to her two day meditation course and experience it yourself. Itis free of charge. Donations received during and after the course from those whohave felt the benefits are used to support future courses. Many old students whohave experienced transformations refer family members and loved ones to her.Come and see for yourself. May this book alone bring healing, activate the flow ofuniversal energy, and reveal the Nirvana that is within you. It is timeless, nameless,the zero point. It is your untouched dimension. And because it is untouched, itis your ultimate freedom. Once you have IT you can be happy and experienceunconditional love. Only when you have happiness, freedom, and love that isbeyond conditions can your life be truly fulfilled. I am experiencing that life rightnow and so are my students. May all of you in this very life be healed body, mind &soul, realizing your true freedom/true nature/Nirvana.
Enter the world of "free energy" find the truth behind the lies, the facts behind the fluff and find out how an ordinary person can create the power needed to support a family or fuel a revolution! The End of power slavery is in our hands right now, how long with big industry keep us chained to the wall of servitude? How long will YOU keep paying for what is and can be free? Would you pay double or triple value for a free car? Hell no! exactly, but that's what you're doing every day when you buy power off the grid.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NATIONAL BESTSELLER In this urgent, singularly authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical--and accessible--plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid an irreversible climate catastrophe. Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help and guidance of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science and finance, he has focused on exactly what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide toward certain environmental disaster. In this book, he not only gathers together all the information we need to fully grasp how important it is that we work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases but also details exactly what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal. He gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. He describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions; where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively; where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations. Finally, he lays out a concrete plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions--suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise. As Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but by following the guidelines he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.