The GeoPolitics of Energy:: Achieving a Just and Sustainable Energy Distribution by 2040 (Paperback)

by Judith Wright (Author), James Conca (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, New Mexico, European Union (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Geologists Wright and Conca have compiled a colorfully illustrated manual for understanding energy sources, energy usage and its future around the world. The authors take a new tack in exploring future energy needs: They consider the usage that will result when the entire population achieves a reasonable standard of living, as this provides a desirable ethical endpoint as well as a politically secure world. Wright and Conca explore the means of meeting this energy requirement by reviewing energy sources such as fossil fuels; renewables including biomass, hydroelectric, solar and wind; and geothermal and nuclear fuel. The discussion progresses with many details for the average reader, as well as charts and other illustrations, though those of a scientific bent might prefer in text reference citations for the many statistics and details provided. Following a section on energy use around the world and the economics of various power sources, the authors conclude that the future power source distribution should be evenly split among renewables, fossil fuel and nuclear. The final third of the book is primarily devoted to explaining nuclear energy and waste handling, including the use of nuclear power around the world and in the United States. Wright and Conca outline the basic chemistry behind nuclear power and how it differs for weapons versus energy, as well as its impact on carbon dioxide emissions and recycling/waste handling. Drawing on their training and professional experience, the authors explain the geology of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and Yucca Mountain Repository in detail that is not often found in energy discussions. Finally, Wright and Conca conclude with recommendations for achieving the desired energy future: educate world citizens, begin building immediately to have needed energy 30 years from now, increase environmental consciousness at the governmental level, help developing nations avoid the mistakes of the past and implement a carbon tax. This is an easily absorbed, knowledge-enhancing introduction to energy usage, distribution and goals. A useful educational title for a classroom or any citizen's home. Judith Wright and James Conca --Kirkus Discoveries

Product Description
By taking Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth to the next level, The GeoPolitics of Energy: Achieving a Just and Sustainable Energy Distribution by 2040 by Judith Wright, Ph.D. and James Conca, Ph.D. not only raises awareness of the issues surrounding global warming, but provides concrete solutions. Straightforward and succinct, this powerful work is comprised of dramatic photos and meticulous research. With over twenty timelines and predictive graphs, the planet's future energy needs are plotted in a way to break down complex issues and inspire intelligent discussions on the future of the earth-a living planet. Proactive and timely, the authors take expanding energy use of industrialized countries and the energy needs of developing countries into account as they forge a template of directives that convey not what should happen, but what must happen if all the citizens of planet earth are allowed to enjoy the wonders of technological advances and the bounties of the natural world.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (November 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419675885
• ISBN-13: 978-1419675881
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #291,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars America's energy choices today foretell our destiny, and could change the world!, November 26, 2007

By	Roger Nelson (Carlsbad, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Are you ready for $100/tank gas? Are you curious why most environmentalists do not have wind turbines in their backyard or solar panels on their roof? Do you want to know why your grandchildren will someday speak Chinese and/or Hindu, and maybe even French?

If these questions intrigue you, then Drs. Wright and Conca new book on the Geopolitics of Energy will engross you. This concise, but complete coverage of why the world's energy future looks so bleak contains not only a description of the problem, but a vision of the only real path forward that may avoid serious societal instability. And it does it both graphically and logically, without recourse to knowledge of history, culture or idealism.

In the very near future, whether driving a hybrid or a gas guzzler, you'll be happy to pay $100 to fill your tank, when you can get gas/alcohol/bio-diesel at all. "Peak Oil" is here, and adequate renewable energy sources are still many decades away. The risk to America in depending on foreign oil is unacceptable, but unavoidable, for many decades as well. Geopolitics of Energy explains that the rising standard of living in rapidly developing nations like China and India will drive the demand for oil past the price that America can support. It explains the inherent limitations of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. It also honestly questions whether America should use its limited arable land and water resources for producing oil replacements like ethanol or bio-diesel to power the nation, at the expense of growing food.

Geopolitics of Energy posits that America's (and even the world) energy future must balance upon a three-legged stool to reach to the future without societal instability. America learned about, but didn't like and quickly forgot, the first leg during the Arab oil embargo and gas lines of the 1970's: conservation though energy efficiency. The second leg has recently achieved true popularity among the masses. Every day, Americans hear about renewable energy in the form of solar, wind, and bio-fuels. Geopolitics of Energy recognizes that renewables must play a long-term role in the world's energy future, but realistically considers their supply-side limitations.

Finally, Drs. Wright and Conca join other former antinuclear apostles like Patrick Moore, cofounder of Green Peace, James Lovelock, creator of the Gaia hypothesis that Earth is a living organism and Whole Earth founder Stewart Brand, who have all recently resurrected themselves in support of nuclear energy. Drs. Wright and Conca also began their young careers as anti-nuclear activists, but as their professional lives took them to new places and new understanding, they recognized that nuclear power must play just as large a role as other energy sources. Geopolitics of Energy explains why and how we must balance on all three legs of the energy stool to allow all the peoples of the world to achieve an equitable standard of living within a sustainable future.

America needs quick action to change the way we think about and use energy. Geopolitics of Energy will help us make these changes without fighting among ourselves to further individual idealistic goals. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for your children... and theirs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stimulating analysis that everyone needs to come to grips with, March 4, 2008

By	Patricia Burns - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Energy is a significant factor in determining quality of life. Drs. Wright and Conca provide a broad overview that illustrates through copious graphics, just how important energy is, and what the looming issues are to sustainability of energy--not only for the US--but also for the emerging countries of the world.

While I agree with another reviewer that the lack of footnotes is disappointing, many would see this as a feature, not a bug! For the serious scientist, I do not know of a more concise analysis that frames the significant issues as succinctly (albeit without footnotes). But the real power of the book is how it is targeted for a general audience and lays out the broad brush strokes with enough information that each person can draw their own conclusions regarding the need for immediate and sustained attention to our common problem. In this regard, I think it succeeds admirably.

The book can be thoughtfully read in a couple of 2 or 3 hour sittings. I read mine on an airplane trip and have not stopped talking about it since: with friends, relatives, my electrician, educators, clergy, and Ph.Ds. The logic is clear and the graphics well-chosen and effective to minimize confusion and illustrate the points. This book should not be viewed as a self-contained solution, it is a wake-up call and conversation starter designed to introduce the vocabulary to the uninitiated. Drs. Wright and Conca have started the conversation and I am now participating and encouraging others to do so.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, July 8, 2009

By	S. Brown - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an excellent resource that is easy to read, informative, and the images clarify the text. The topic of course is very timely and every educator, politician, and really every person on this planet, earth, must inform themselves in order to promote policies that safeguard our future! This book answers questions that we all have!