Energy Autonomy: The Economic, Social and Technological Case for Renewable Energy
by Hermann Scheer
List Price:
Our Price: $24.44
You Save: $15.51 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $11.92 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Hermann ScheerEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-12-01
ISBN: 1844073556
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Routledge
Book Reviews of Energy Autonomy: The Economic, Social and Technological Case for Renewable Energy
Book Review: Strong analysis by a leader who can speak from tangible experience
Summary: 5 Stars
First, why I was compelled to read this book: Spending several months last year in Southern Germany after a 20 year absence, I observed a remarkable shift: unlike the acid-rain torn, brown, industrially wasted place I remembered, the region was greener than I had remembered, decked everywhere with fields of yellow blossoms that I learned were grown for biodiesel. What were mostly concepts of the progressive fringe back home were mainstream realities here, considered normal and desirable even among socio-economic conservative old world businessmen I met--like biodiesel at all the gas stations, solar panels and windmills everywhere. How did all this happen? How did the place get so sensible?
Hermann Scheer is essentially the architect of the shift in Germany--and because of his success, the role model of the planned shift of EU-- toward renewable energy. His latest book is well-written, dense, and compelling. He sums up the major crises arising from dependency on fossil fuels without pulling any punches. He also offers a solution--not one that is simply a theory, an abstract, but one based on policy he has fought for decades to implement and that has begun to be implemented in recent years with great, if hard-won success. He argues that the shift to a 100% renewable energy society is necessary now and possible now. He lays out in detail the historical, present, and probable future obstacles to that happening and calls for a summoning of political and societal courage. He has earned the right--as he has walked the talk.
Summary of Energy Autonomy: The Economic, Social and Technological Case for Renewable Energy
For 200 years industrial civilization has relied on the combustion of abundant and cheap carbon fuels. But continued reliance has had perilous consequences. On the one hand there is the insecurity of relying on the world's most unstable region - the Middle East - compounded by the imminence of peak oil, growing scarcity and mounting prices. On the other, the potentially cataclysmic consequences of continuing to burn fossil fuels, as the evidence of accelerating climate change shows. Yet there is a solution: to make the transition to renewable sources of energy and distributed, decentralized energy generation. It is a model that has been proven, technologically, commercially and politically, as Scheer comprehensively demonstrates here. The alternative of a return to nuclear power - again being widely advocated - he shows to be compromised and illusory. The advantages of renewable energy are so clear and so overwhelming that resistance to them needs diagnosis - which Scheer also provides, showing why and how entrenched interests and one-dimensional structures of thinking oppose the transition, and what must be done to overcome these obstacles. The new book from the award-winning author of THE SOLAR ECONOMY and A SOLAR MANIFESTO demonstrates why the transition to renewable energy is essential and how it can be done.Economics Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Similar Books and other products
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Thingsby Michael Braungart
North Point Press; Published: 2002-04-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
The Third Industrial Revolution: How Lateral Power Is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the Worldby Jeremy Rifkin
Palgrave Macmillan; Published: 2011-09-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $16.25
Price in other shops:
Switching to Solar: What We Can Learn from Germany's Success in Harnessing Clean Energyby Bob Johnstone
Prometheus Books; Published: 2011-02-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.66
Price in other shops:
A Solar Manifestoby Hermann Scheer
Routledge; Published: 2005-04-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $33.45
Price in other shops:
Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolutionby Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins
Back Bay Books; Published: 2000-10-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Powerby Daniel Yergin
Free Press; Published: 2008-12-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Oil Warsby Mary Kaldor, Terry Karl, Yahia Said
Pluto Press; Published: 2007-03-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $27.66
Price in other shops:
A Solar Manifestoby Hermann Scheer
Earthscan Publications Ltd.; Published: 2001-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.15
Price in other shops:
Solar Electricity Handbook - 2011 Edition: A Simple Practical Guide to Solar Energy - Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar Electric Systemsby Mr Michael Boxwell
Greenstream Publishing; Published: 2011-01-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.48
Price in other shops:
The Solar Economy: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Global Futureby Hermann Scheer
Routledge; Published: 2004-05-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $27.07
Price in other shops: