Energy and Climate

“This sweeping tour de force covers all important aspects of energy in fast-paced and fact-filled 266 pages… this volume hits a sweet spot in its depth and accessibility. It includes a wealth of material by the systems-thinking author, who treats us to understanding the many aspects that can only be hinted at here.” – Quarterly Review of Biology”What are prospects for future world energy supplies and costs and how will climate change guide them? This book aims to prepare us to address these questions. It describes principles and practices of energy extraction, conversion and usage with lively examples, and it contrasts the cases of the U. S. and China. I recommend it very highly as an accurate, farsighted and readable account of very important issues.“–Ralph Cicerone, President of the NationalAcademy of Sciences”The topic of energy has suddenly become essential intellectual equipment for the educated person. Michael McElroy, one of the world’s most distinguished atmospheric scientists, thoroughly illuminates the topic in this remarkable new book. Energy and Climate provides the definitive one-volume treatment of two of the central issues of our time, the inter-related topics of energy and climate.“–Dale Jorgenson, Samuel W. Morris University Professor ofEconomics, Harvard University”Based on his deep knowledge of energy, technology, climate, economics, society, history and international politics, Professor McElroy has recognized the enormous complexity of the issues involved. As an eminent professor, chairman, director and national and international leader, McElroy understands the power of education, enlightenment and persuasion. This is what this book is: a pleasant, inspiring and insightful tutorial to the present and future decisionmakers by an erudite, wise and patient councilor. I cannot think of a more urgent challenge to human civilization in the 21st century than energy and climate change; and I cannot think of a more timelyand appropriate book than this one to meet the challenge.“–Yuk L. Yung, Professor of Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology”A half-century of climate science has revealed the dangers to society of increasing greenhouse gases, and new energy policy is the only real solution. McElroy brilliantly combines these two topics in this readable and authoritative account of what lies ahead and what we can do about it. Energy and Climate will change the way you think and act about the future.“–D. James Baker, Director of Forest and Land-use Measurement, Clinton Foundation, andformer Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration”McElroy guides us through basic energy and climate science to build a solid case that the ongoing, rapid changes in Earth’s climate are driven by human activities, largely the burning of fossil fuels, which must stop if civilization as we know it is to prosper. With an eye toward the positive, he shows the remarkable potential of wind, solar, and other forms of renewable energy to solve this critical problem, which is denied by so many but understood by sofew.“–William H. Schlesinger, President (Emeritus), The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook, New York

Michael B. McElroy is the Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies at Harvard University. His research covers topics ranging from planetary atmospheres to extensive studies of the earth’s environment, with particular attention to the impact of human activity, and to the development of options to limit potentially negative consequences of this activity. His bestselling book Energy: Perspectives, Problems, and Prospects was published by Oxford University Press in 2009.