Innovative Energy Strategies for CO2 Stabilization

This book discusses feasibility of increasingly efficient energy use and supply from renewable sources, for researchers/advanced students.

Robert G. Watts (Edited by)

9780521087827, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 December 2008

468 pages, 105 b/w illus. 36 tables
22 x 15 x 2.4 cm, 0.74 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The writing style is clear and scientific throughout, with useful references to appropriate work and data … a useful contribution to the literature and would provide most readers with an important stepping stone towards a fuller understanding of the challenges.' The Holocene

The vast majority of the world's climate scientists believe that the build-up of heat-trapping CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to global warming unless we burn less fossil fuels. At the same time, energy must be supplied in increasing amounts for the developing world to continue its growth. This book discusses the feasibility of increasingly efficient energy use and the potential for supplying energy from sources that do not introduce CO2. The book analyses the prospects for Earth-based renewables: solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal and ocean energy. It then discusses nuclear fission and fusion, and the relatively new idea of harvesting solar energy on satellites or lunar bases. It will be essential reading for all those interested in energy issues, including engineers and physicists (electrical, mechanical, chemical, industrial, environmental, nuclear), and industrial leaders and politicians. It will also be used as a supplementary textbook on advanced courses on energy.

1. Concerns about climate change and global warming Donald J. Wuebbles, Atul K. Jain and Robert G. Watts
2. Posing the problem Robert G. Watts
3. Adaptive strategies for climate change Robert J. Lempert and Michael E. Schlesinger
4. Energy efficiency: a little goes a long way Susan J. Hassol, Neil D. Strachan and Hadi Dowlatabadi
5. The potential of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions Walter Short and Patrick Keegan
6. Carbonless transportation and energy storage in future energy systems Gene D. Berry and Alan D. Lamont
7. What can nuclear power accomplish to reduce carbon dioxide emissions? Robert Krakowski and Richard Wilson
8. Nuclear fusion energy Arthur W. Molvik and John L. Perkins
9. Energy prosperity within the twenty-first century and beyond: options and the unique roles of the Sun and the Moon David R. Criswell
10. Geoengineering the climate: history and prospect David W. Keith
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Energy technology & engineering [TH], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Applied physics [PHV]