Sustainable Fossil Fuels
The Unusual Suspect in the Quest for Clean and Enduring Energy

This 2006 book controversially argues that fossil fuels will play a key role in a sustainable energy system.

Mark Jaccard (Author)

9780521679794, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 January 2006

398 pages, 9 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.54 kg

'… a pleasure to read …' Journal of Industrial Ecology

More and more people believe we must quickly wean ourselves from fossil fuels - oil, natural gas and coal - to save the planet from environmental catastrophe, wars and economic collapse. In this 2006 book, Professor Jaccard argues that this view is misguided. We have the technological capability to use fossil fuels without emitting climate-threatening greenhouse gases or other pollutants. The transition from conventional oil and gas to their unconventional sources including coal for producing electricity, hydrogen and cleaner-burning fuels will decrease energy dependence on politically unstable regions. In addition, our vast fossil fuel resources will be the cheapest source of clean energy for the next century and perhaps longer, which is critical for the economic and social development of the world's poorer countries. By buying time for increasing energy efficiency, developing renewable energy technologies and making nuclear power more attractive, fossil fuels will play a key role in humanity's quest for a sustainable energy system.

Figures
Tables
Acknowledgements
1. What is energy sustainability
2. Is our current energy path sustainable?
3. The prospects for clean secondary energy
4. The usual suspects: efficiency, nuclear and renewables
5. The unusual suspect: how long can fossil fuels last - and does it matter?
6. Can we use fossil fuels cleanly - and what might it cost?
7. Sustainable energy trade-offs: evaluating the alternatives
8. Sustainable energy policy - how do we get there?
9. Broadening the definition: is sustainable energy sustainable?
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Pollution & threats to the environment [RNP], Environmental economics [KCN], Microeconomics [KCC]