A courageous look at the world’s dwindling energy resources. Contending that the energy debate has been cast in the wrong terms, the author suggests that the problem would not be solved by asking: "What energy sources will be available to replace fossil fuels?’ but by questioning: "What populations can be supported at a decent standard by the energy sources that will be available after the transition from fossil fuels?’ Taking a brave stand, Grant suggests that with a bit of luck—we may be able to create a more harmonious balance with the rest of the biosphere, but at much lower population levels and less consumptive habits.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Lindsey Grant is a retired Foreign Service Officer; he was a China specialist and served as Director of the Office of Asian Communist Affairs, National Security Council staff member, and Department of State policy Planning staff member. As Deputy Secretary of State for Environmental and Population Affairs, he was Department of State coordinator for the Global 2000 Report to the President, Chairman of the interagency committee on Int’l Environmental Committee and US member of the UN ECE Committee of Experts on the Environment. His books include: Too Many People, Juggernaut, The Horseman and the Bureaucrat, Elephants in Volkswagen, How Many Americans?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Average recap of Peak Oil, weakly linked to population,
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This review is from: The Collapsing Bubble: Growth and Fossil Energy (Paperback)
This very short book offers a restatement of the 'Peak Oil' argument. It tries to link 'Peak Oil' to a population crisis. Although I am convinced this is an extremely important issue, the treatment is superficial. The author complains about the 'pro-growth' policies of Americans, but his explanations for the popularity of 'growth' are weak. If I understand it, he argues that 'growth' became popular soon after the bubonic plague devastated Europe, and has never been questioned. Nor does the author suggest any equitable arguments one could make to the Indian or Chinese populations which would suggest they abandon any pursuit of modern high-energy lifestyles. About the best the author can do is suggest we would be better off living the way we did in the 1950s, which is hardly helpful.
The best feature of the book is its concise recap of the 'Peak Oil' argument. Topics include 1. The expected lag in food production as oil production decreases. 2. The expected lag in food production due to climate change (a bit weak) 3. The expected water crisis due to industrial pollution causes by increase coal use. 4. The lack of any viable energy replacement for lost oil production (this is about half the book).
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Collapsing Bubble,
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This review is from: The Collapsing Bubble: Growth and Fossil Energy (Paperback)
I liked this excellent little book very much. You can read this little book in less than an hour but the book is well written and I can't find fault with Mr. Grant's technical data. The book is thought provoking. The author is a little too political for me, but overall I think he means well. Regards, Keith Renick, Peachtree City, Ga.
4 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very timely,
This review is from: The Collapsing Bubble: Growth and Fossil Energy (Paperback)
Excellent analysis! This book is especially important in today's environment when we are trying to reduce our dependency on oil.
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