Energy, Environment, and Climate

by Wolfson, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780393927634
• ISBN10: 0393927636
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-19
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Summary

In this new study of energy use and global climate change, Richard Wolfson outlines basic science concepts as well as specific, contemporary applications in energy production and their environmental consequences. Energy, Environment, and Climate is structured on the premise that climate change is the dominant energy-related environmental issue of the twenty-first century. Traditional concerns like pollution and conservation of energy resources are covered with clear, scientific explanations. Unique to this text, a full five chapters--about one-third of the content--are devoted to climate and an understanding of the energy/climate link. Included are over 250 photographs and illustrations

Author Biography

Richard Wolfson is Benjamin F. Wissler Professor of Physics at Middlebury College

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
A Changing Planet	p. 1
High-Energy Society	p. 22
Energy: A Closer Look	p. 37
Energy and Heat	p. 68
Fossil Fuel Energy	p. 105
Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuels	p. 143
Nuclear Energy	p. 177
Energy from Earth and Moon	p. 224
Direct from the Sun: Solar Energy	p. 251
Indirect from the Sun: Water, Wind, Biomass	p. 292
Hydrogen Futures?	p. 332
Keeping Warm: The Science of Climate	p. 356
Forcing the Climate	p. 377
Is Earth Warming?	p. 403
Future Climates	p. 426
Energy and Climate: Breaking the Link	p. 456
Appendix	p. 483
Glossary	p. 489
Suggested Readings	p. 501
Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises	p. 507
Credits and Data Sources	p. 509
Index	p. 521
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