The Powers That Be
Global Energy for the Twenty-first Century and Beyond
Thirty years ago, our global energy landscape did not look remarkably different from what it does today. Three or four decades from now, it certainly will: dwindling oil reserves will clash with skyrocketing demand, as developing nations around the world lead their citizens into the modern energy economy, and all the while, the grave threat of catastrophic climate change looms ever larger. Energy worries are at an all-time high—just how will we power our future?
With The Powers That Be, Scott L. Montgomery cuts through the hype, alarmism, and confusion to give us a straightforward, informed account of where we are now, and a map of where we’re going. Starting with the inescapable fact of our current dependence on fossil fuels—which supply 80% of all our energy needs today—Montgomery clearly and carefully lays out the many alternative energy options available, ranging from the familiar, like water and solar, to such nascent but promising sources as hydrogen and geothermal power. What is crucial, Montgomery explains, is understanding that our future will depend not on some single, wondrous breakthrough; instead, we should focus on developing a more diverse, adaptable energy future, one that draws on a variety of sources—and is thus less vulnerable to disruption or failure.
An admirably evenhanded and always realistic guide, Montgomery enables readers to understand the implications of energy funding, research, and politics at a global scale. At the same time, he doesn’t neglect the ultimate connection between those decisions and the average citizen flipping a light switch or sliding behind the wheel of a car, making The Powers That Be indispensible for our ever-more energy conscious age.
"This is a beautifully written and highly engaging book that tackles nothing less than the general global problem of energy. This question has been examined by many books and articles, both academic and more popular. What is extraordinary about this work is that it takes all of these issues and blends them smoothly into a cohesive, understandable single work. Any reader will put down The Powers That Be understanding how difficult the problems we face are, while also realizing that there is much hope that we will be able to substantially solve many of them. It is a timely voice of reason in our complicated, troubled world."
“Scott brings a much needed element of realism to the discussion of energy in a well-constructed, accessible fashion. In laying out the course from past to present, he gives the reader the ability to envision a reasonable path forward. Importantly, he recognizes the scale of the issues we face today, and, in doing so, provides insightful discussion of controversial issues such as energy independence, peak oil and the long and short run potential of renewable energy technologies.”
List of Abbreviations
Preface
1 What Binds Us All
2 Our Energy Past: Does It Hold Any Lessons?
3 Our Energy Present: Global Trends and What They Mean
4 Oil Reality: Burning Questions
5 Natural Gas: The Lighter Side of Fossil Fuels
6 Coal: Once and Future King?
7 The Great Debate: When Will the Wells Run Dry?
8 Nuclear Power: A New Context, Changing Views
9 Renewable Energy 1: The Real and the Possible
10 Renewable Energy 2: Sources, Technologies, Limitations
11 Hydrogen: Forever Fuel, or Wishful Thinking?
12 Fusion Energy: Some Like It Hot
13 Geopolitics and Energy: An Evolving Geography
14 The Technology Imperative: Some Reflections
15 Climate Change and Energy: Playing with Fire, Air, Earth, and Water
16 Conclusion: Final Thoughts on New Beginnings
Notes
Index
Biological Sciences: Conservation
Earth Sciences: Geology
Economics and Business: Economics--Agriculture and Natural Resources
Political Science: Public Policy
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