Sustainable fossil fuels : the unusual suspect in the quest for clean and enduring energy / Mark Jaccard.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jaccard, Mark Kenneth, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fossil fuels--Environmental aspects.

Fossil fuels.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 381 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Summary:

More and more people believe we must quickly wean ourselves from fossil fuels - oil, natural gas and coal - to save the planet from environmental catastrophe, wars and economic collapse. In this 2006 book, Professor Jaccard argues that this view is misguided. We have the technological capability to use fossil fuels without emitting climate-threatening greenhouse gases or other pollutants. The transition from conventional oil and gas to their unconventional sources including coal for producing electricity, hydrogen and cleaner-burning fuels will decrease energy dependence on politically unstable regions. In addition, our vast fossil fuel resources will be the cheapest source of clean energy for the next century and perhaps longer, which is critical for the economic and social development of the world's poorer countries. By buying time for increasing energy efficiency, developing renewable energy technologies and making nuclear power more attractive, fossil fuels will play a key role in humanity's quest for a sustainable energy system.

Contents:

What is energy sustainability?

Is our current energy path sustainable?

The prospects for clean secondary energy

The usual suspects : efficiency, nuclear and renewables

The unusual suspect : how long can fossil fuels last, and does it matter?

Can we use fossil fuels cleanly, and what might it cost?

Sustainable energy choices : comparing the options

Sustainable energy policy : how do we get there?

Broadening the definition : is sustainable energy sustainable?

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 328-348) and index.

ISBN:

1-107-15656-4

1-280-34711-2

0-511-14656-6

0-511-14710-4

0-511-14608-6

0-511-32415-4

0-511-75410-8

0-511-14652-3