Energy at the Crossroads: Global Perspectives and Uncertainties

by Vaclav Smil

An objective, comprehensive, and accessible examination of today's most crucial preserving the environment in the face of society's insatiable demand for energy. In Energy at the Crossroads , Vaclav Smil considers the twenty-first century's crucial how to reconcile the modern world's unceasing demand for energy with the absolute necessity to preserve the integrity of the biosphere. With this book he offers a comprehensive, accessible guide to today's complex energy issues—how to think clearly and logically about what is possible and what is desirable in our energy future. After a century of unprecedented production growth, technical innovation, and expanded consumption, the world faces a number of critical energy challenges arising from unequal resource distribution, changing demand patterns, and environmental limitations. The fundamental message of Energy at the Crossroads is that our dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced not because of any imminent resource shortages but because the widespread burning of oil, coal, and natural gas damages the biosphere and presents increasing economic and security problems as the world relies on more expensive supplies and Middle Eastern crude oil. Smil begins with an overview of the twentieth century's long-term trends and achievements in energy production. He then discusses energy prices, the real cost of energy, and "energy linkages"—the effect energy issues have on the economy, on quality of life, on the environment, and in wartime. He discusses the pitfalls of forecasting, giving many examples of failed predictions and showing that unexpected events can disprove complex models. And he examines the pros and cons not only of fossil fuels but also of alternative fuels such as hydroenergy, biomass energy, wind power, and solar power. Finally, he considers the future, focusing on what really matters, what works, what is realistic, and which outcomes are most desirable.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Economics, Environment, Technology, Sustainability, Engineering

444 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Vaclav Smil is a Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst whose work spans energy, environment, food, population, economics, history, and public policy. Educated at Charles University in Prague and later at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in geography, Smil emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the United States in 1969 following the Soviet invasion, before beginning his long academic career at the University of Manitoba in 1972. Over the decades he established himself as a leading voice on global energy systems, environmental change, and economic development, with particular attention to China. Smil has consistently argued that transitions to renewable energy will be gradual rather than rapid, emphasizing the persistence of coal, oil, and natural gas and highlighting the difficulties of decarbonizing critical industries such as steel, cement, ammonia, and plastics. He has also been skeptical of indefinite economic growth, suggesting that human consumption could be sustained at much lower levels of material and energy use. Widely admired for his clear, data-driven analyses, Smil counts Bill Gates among his readers, while colleagues have praised his rigor and independence. Known for his reclusiveness and preference for letting his books speak for him, he has nonetheless lectured extensively worldwide and consulted for major institutions. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada, Smil remains a highly influential public intellectual.

Reviews

[Edouard Bahous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but too dry. Good shelf book for reference but not a fun read

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am trying to get a better grasp on Energy issues before I start my job, and I picked this one up at the library. So far, I like the style and content. The author seems pretty prolific , and I really like that he has experience in China.

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comfort of the modern world depends on burning crap we pull out of the ground often to the detriment of people who live on that ground it is under or often has the misfortune of working the industry that extracts it not to mention the wildlife and ecosystem it disrupts. The stuff makes a lot of people's lives comfy and our system needs it at the moment to function and it is killing our prospects on the planet in the future. Hopefully, we will find another way before it is too late. That is the TLDR on this.

I read this several times in the past this time I paid more attention to the graphs and trendlines (now slightly out of date the book is 2005) it is a helpful resource in explaining how the energy sector is doing at the time of writing especially the fossil fuel part that makes the bulk of it still. How it works and our prospects for the future. I gave it a quick cursory read because I read it before and I really want to get to a book on botany and look at pretty flowers next.

[William Ritossa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smil provides a detailed exploration into a wide variety of energy sources - past, present and emerging in a way that is logical and very well communicated.

Perhaps most importantly, Smil gives readers contextual knowledge and a framework for addressing the energy needs and challenges of the 21st century that whilst written nearly 20 years ago, is still as relevant today as it was then.

[John Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Václav Smil book I've read, but it won't be the last. A comprehensive review of energy and how we use it. Essential reading to understand where we are and where we can go. Quite academic, but still accessible

[Marcel Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smil s books are great but it is true that this one is one of the dryer ones that is also already a bit outdated. His insightful thoughts can also be found in more recent books in a better structured way.

[BP2041 Expedition2009]

survey of global energy trends

[Nick Black]

Amazon 2009-01-25. Vaclav Smil is awesome x3.