The End of Oil: A New World on the Brink

Author: (USA) Roberts
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The price of oil is rising steadily, and energy issues have once again become a top news topic in newspapers around the world. How long can the energy economy dominated by oil last? When will the transition to the next energy economy occur? Will there be large-scale chaos during the transition? How long will it take to complete the transition—ten years or fifty? What will the new energy economy look like? Will we become happier with advanced energy technologies or more miserable because we have lost the golden age of oil? Who will dominate this new world? Will a new energy order give rise to a new economic and political order? The End of Oil offers a unique and engaging perspective: the opulent life in Riyadh, the continuous war in Iraq, the unscrupulous tactics in Washington, Europe's pollution rights trading, the sunlight tower in Freiburg, Germany, Denmark's wind farms, Japan's solar cell arrays, and the algae Paul in the University of California laboratory—Roberts connects these vastly different scenes, bringing us a grand debate about the current and future directions. The End of Oil conveys the message that not only has the era of cheap oil come to an end, but also that due to oil production nearing its "peak," the decline in oil supply is inevitable. If humanity does not reform its current energy consumption and production methods, the depletion of oil resources is only a matter of time. This book primarily takes a U.S. perspective, providing a detailed introduction to the U.S. oil situation, its entire energy status, the challenges it faces, and the corresponding policies, while also comparing it with Western Europe and Japan. Roberts sharply criticizes the U.S. government's short-sighted and inaction-oriented energy policies. The End of Oil also provides a detailed introduction to the research and development of new energy alternative technologies, analyzing the dynamics of the traditional energy struggle. At the same time, the author does not limit himself to the U.S. and developed countries but fully considers the global nature of oil and energy issues. Roberts interviews experts and scholars from the business world and various environmental organizations, summarizing their opposing views and opinions perfectly. He offers an in-depth yet accessible analysis of other energy sources, particularly alternative oils, providing timely insights into the future energy system. This book is both at the forefront of the scientific field and appealing to scholars of all kinds, making it a valuable resource for both professionals and general readers. The End of Oil conveys the message that not only has the era of cheap oil come to an end, but also that due to oil production nearing its "peak," the decline in oil supply is inevitable. If humanity does not reform its current energy consumption and production methods, the depletion of oil resources is only a matter of time. This book primarily takes a U.S. perspective, providing a detailed introduction to the U.S. oil situation, its entire energy status, the challenges it faces, and the corresponding policies, while also comparing it with Western Europe and Japan. Roberts sharply criticizes the U.S. government's short-sighted and inaction-oriented energy policies. The End of Oil also provides a detailed introduction to the research and development of new energy alternative technologies, analyzing the dynamics of the traditional energy struggle. At the same time, the author does not limit himself to the U.S. and developed countries but fully considers the global nature of oil and energy issues. Roberts interviews experts and scholars from the business world and various environmental organizations, summarizing their opposing views and opinions perfectly. He offers an in-depth yet accessible analysis of other energy sources, particularly alternative oils, providing timely insights into the future energy system. This book is both at the forefront of the scientific field and appealing to scholars of all kinds, making it a valuable resource for both professionals and general readers.