Summaries of books about Environmental Science:
The Bottomless Well
The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy
Peter W Huber|Mark P. Mills
The book challenges conventional wisdom about energy production and consumption, arguing that our understanding of energy is flawed because we focus on efficiency rather than power density and that technological innovation will continue to provide abundant energy. It posits that waste is an inherent and beneficial aspect of energy use, and that the future will be characterized by an ever-increasing supply of energy resources due to human ingenuity.
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Denialism
How Irrational Thinking Harms the Planet and Threatens Our Lives
Michael Specter
The book explores the rejection of scientific evidence by certain segments of the public on issues like vaccines, genetically modified foods, and climate change. It argues that such denialism is driven by fear and misinformation, and poses a significant risk to public health and environmental sustainability.
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Climate Shock
The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet
Gernot Wagner|Martin L. Weitzman
The book delves into the potential economic fallout from unchecked climate change, emphasizing the high costs and risks associated with rising global temperatures. It advocates for urgent policy action, particularly through the lens of economic theory and cost-benefit analysis, to mitigate the severe and unpredictable impacts on the world's economies.
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Should We Eat Meat?
Evolution and Consequences of Modern Carnivory
Vaclav Smil
The book provides a comprehensive examination of meat consumption from an evolutionary perspective, analyzing its role in human development and the environmental and health impacts of modern meat production and consumption. It delves into the sustainability of carnivorous diets and explores potential future trends and ethical considerations regarding the global reliance on animal protein.
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The Switch
How solar, storage and new tech means cheap power for all
Chris Goodall
The book explores the transformative potential of solar energy combined with battery storage and technological innovations to provide affordable, clean electricity worldwide. It delves into the economic and environmental benefits of this shift and how it could revolutionize energy production and consumption.
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Global Catastrophes and Trends
The Next Fifty Years
Vaclav Smil
The book provides a rigorous analysis of the potential large-scale disasters that could occur in the next half-century, including natural events, diseases, and human-made crises. It also examines long-term global trends in areas such as energy, environment, and geopolitics, assessing their possible impacts on human societies.
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Never Out of Season
How Having the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food Supply and Our Future
Rob Dunn
The book examines the vulnerabilities of the global food system, highlighting the risks of relying on a limited variety of crops. It delves into historical and contemporary examples of agricultural collapse and the importance of biodiversity to ensure food security and prevent ecological disasters.
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How Risky Is It, Really?
Why Our Fears Don't Always Match the Facts
David Ropeik
The book explores the psychological factors that lead people to misjudge the true risks of various situations and threats, often influenced by emotions, instincts, and social dynamics. It delves into the science of risk perception and offers insights on how to make better-informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.
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The Revenge of Gaia
Earth's Climate Crisis & The Fate of Humanity
James Lovelock
The book presents the hypothesis that Earth functions as a self-regulating system, akin to a single organism, which is now under threat from human-induced climate change. It warns of the dire consequences for humanity if we fail to recognize and respond to the planet's environmental distress signals, advocating for sustainable living and radical changes to avert disaster.
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A Hole in the Wind
A Climate Scientist's Bicycle Journey Across the United States
David Goodrich
The book chronicles the author's cross-country cycling journey, during which he engages with diverse Americans to discuss climate change and its impacts. It combines personal travel narrative with discussions on science, policy, and the changing environment.
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