Energy in a changing climate

SciTech Book News, June, 2009

Energy in a changing climate.

Nicholson, Martin.

Rosenberg Publishing

2009

232 pages

$32.95

Paperback

TJ808

Written in plain language with a dash of humor, this overview for general readers and students provides background on sources of energy and explores the links between power generation and climate change. The first part of the book explains primary energy sources and how they are used, covering traditional sources such as electricity and gas, as well as alternatives such as solar, geothermal, wind, and hydropower. Part Two discusses the changing climate, looking not only at weather but also at financial and political consequences of energy solutions to climate change, and related issues such as emissions trading, carbon taxes, and incentives. Part Three gives suggestions for weaning the world off of non-renewable coal and gas. Although numerous b&w boxes, tables, and figures are used to supplement explanations and demonstrate principles, their small size makes the visuals something less than reader friendly. Nicholson holds degrees in mathematics, engineering, and electrical science from Cambridge University. The book is distributed in the US by ISBS.

([c]2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)