Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming by Fred Krupp, Miriam Horn
|
List Price: Our Price: $12.50 You Save: $12.45 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $11.39 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming
Book Review: Brings Positivism and Excitement to the Global Warming Topic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Most books on Global Warming are depressing - not "Earth: The Sequel." Krupp's summary of actual projects underway to reduce global warming brings a welcome sense of positivism and excitement to the topic.
He believes that a transformation of the world economy is on the horizon that will generate the great fortunes of the 21st century while securing the world against the dangers of global warming. The "bad news" is that the federal government devotes only $1 billion/year for R&D on renewable energy, less than ExxonMobil earns/day, and the $6 billion/year that oil and gas industries receive in government benefits. On top of this are large ethanol subsidies and mandated usage.
Krupp's positive examples begin with solar power - nanotech, printable films, and layered films that capture varying light wavelengths, combined with low-cost production in China and Mexico and rising energy prices make solar power a strong candidate for alternative energy production. Krupp also points out that solar-power costs should be compared with peak power costs, not lower average power costs, as well as added costs of removing CO2 from coal-fired plants. On the other hand, transmission lines required cost about $1 million/mile, and are further handicapped by being used only half the day. The book then goes on to cover thermal solar - its advantage is the ability to store heat for evening use.
Krupp's coverage of biofuels is particularly enlightening. Switchgrass, a cutting-edge energy crop, converts 0.3% solar energy vs. Spectrolab's 42% for PV cells. Such crops also require enormous water, plus nutrients, and labor for harvesting, processing. Production also requires considerable input power and creates pressure to level rain-forests to provide growing fields. Twenty-five gallons of corn ethanol requires the same grain as would feed a person for a year, and only produces 25% more energy than put into its creation. Another problem is it can't be transported in pipelines because it absorbs water within them.
Alternatively, sugar is converted to ethanol in Brazil at a cost of .60/gallon, getting 8 BTUs back for every BTU put in; corn is only 1.3:1. Cellulose is 36:1, though still being scaled up - not an easy task.
Another exciting experiment is growing algae with the CO2 emitted from power-plant exhaust while also removing nitrogen from waste water used as coolant. Dried algae has as many BTUs as coal on a weight basis.
Other possibilities include wave, tidal, river current, nuclear, and geothermal power. Surprisingly, electric-powered vehicles charged from coal-fired plants would also reduce pollution - about 25%.
Bottom Line: "Earth: The Sequel" is an exciting and enlightening book.
Book Review: Global Warming Solution Guide
Summary: 4 Stars
This book reviews the various technologies available to reduce the effects of Global Warming. While dealt in an evenhanded and balanced manner the bottom line for most of these technologies is to be subsidized by government or industry.
I, for one, don't see why these technologies should not stand on their own merits without subsidies. Look at what the government has done with ethanol (covered in the book) and you'll understand why.
Book Review: Worth every cent!
Summary: 5 Stars
Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming I purchased the audio version of this book and listened to it driving to and from work. For someone interested in hearing about cutting edge research into new sources of energy, this book was written for you. It was packed full of stories about amazing research projects and the brilliant and often wacky people heading up the projects. The stories were highly entertaining, and the tech talk was in-depth enough to make one feel like an insider without going over the head of anyone who enjoys reading science articles in newspapers or popular magazines. I plan to buy several more copies as gifts for friends. Book Review: Possible Solutions to a Pressing Problem
Summary: 4 Stars
Although it was tough slogging for a non-technical reader like myself,the book does provide practical alternatives to the grim prospect of an oil-starved world. The plausible energy substitues detailed by the authors offer a measure of hope to this 88-year-old grandfather of ten; hopefully their children and grandchildren can continue living in heated, well lit homes with solar-powered cars in the garage. As a published author of books about Colonial American, I am impressed with the huge amount of research needed to create this important journal.
Alfred E Kayworth, author
Abenaki Warrior
Legends of the Pond
The Scalp Hunters
Iceman to the Internet
Book Review: Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Really opens your eyes as to what is out there and what to push for. We need to act now to save our planet for future generations. This book details the possibilities.