Product Description
This book focuses on energy needs, trends, and long-term prospects and resource supplies.It discusses the physics of energy, atoms, nuclei, thermal energy, solar energy, alternative energy, and the consequences of energy production.For physicists, geologists, and geographers, or anyone who wants a better understanding of the production, consumption, and conservation of energy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Comprehensive, but hampered by production quality issues
I have just received the text (3rd Edition) and have read only a little so far, but my first impressions include:

Positives:

1) The text includes extensive coverage of many aspects of energy.The author has included numerous external references, with much of the data current to 2003-2004.A good index is also provided.

2) I like the structure of the text, particular the grouping of the chapters by resource type.I would suggest, however, that Part 5 on Fossil Fuels should be further structured by type of fossil fuel (coal, conventional oil, unconventional oil, natural gas).Chapter 12 contains a little of this structure, but with only a few pages on each type, it really can't do justice to any of them.

3) A companion website offers much more detailed discussions of select issues that are identified in the text.Unlike many textbook websites, this one is helpful and easy to navigate.It's almost like getting a second book for the price of one.

4) End of chapter summaries and problems and questions are a good practice for an introductory text.Some of the questions, however, are very involved or sketchily framed in a way that would seem to lead to very long digressions to explain/discuss/calculate the point.This leads me to think that, in practice, most of the questions and problems would not be used for a typical survey course.

Negatives:

1) The text suffers because of poor production quality.My biggest complaint is the quality of the figures.The black and white graphs are generally satisfactory (although there is smudging on some), but the reproduction of photographs is inadequate for almost any application.They are all black/white, which would be OK if they were of sufficient resolution, but they are fuzzy and grainy, and in some cases it is hard to see what they are showing.The captions are usually too short to provide the reader with an understanding of what is being illustrated by the photo.Also, the "Closer Look" and "Case Study" boxes appear as thought they are made from third generation photocopies, with an irregular, blotchy appearance.I think this kind of sloppy appearance may lead readers, however unfairly, to downgrade the quality of the information presented.Frankly, the book deserves better.

2) The other part of this text that I haven't gotten used to yet is the generally chummy writing style used by the author, including a lot of name-dropping and colloquialisms.While this can be effective in small doses, I can well imagine it will become grating by the time you reach the end of Chapter 26 on page 571.It also doesn't match a "just the facts" approach that I believe is more appropriate to a science text.As an example, I think the title "Tocsin" used for the final chapter 26 is overly dramatic.I understand the desire of the author to summarize the context for the book, raise awareness, and stir readers out of their complacency, but I believe it leads to some arm-waving editorializing that imputes motive without providing a technical basis for the assertion.

All in all, I think the text will be a useful place to look for a lot of information and uses many good practices.The text is probably too extensive to be covered effectively in a single semester course, particularly taking into account the detailed analyses presented on the companion webbiste.The text is, however, structured in such a way as to allow the instructor to use the sections that would fit without losing the thread of the text.The biggest issue, however, is that the text would benefit from a more professional editing/production job.I look forward to the 4th edition to see if they can address some of these shortcomings.

Not as described
This item said that it was in like new condition with no writing in it but on the very first pages there are stamps and the book looks like its been used a lot. This wouldn't have bothered me too much but the fact that it's in black and white does, especially since it's a science book with lots of colored charts and graphs that I'll need IN COLOR. It did not say that it was in black and white in the description anywhere.

Very modern energy-environment book with lots of information
A modern approach to energy and its relationship with the environment. It has a great amount of information on the main subject and also on related topics. It can be used as a textbook, but it also proves useful for theenergy professional. Fun to read.

This is potentially a great book, but it needs work.
I used this book to teach a class on Energy Resources one year ago.I liked its completeness, and the fact that he used original scientific literature as references.However, many of the problems were undoable withthe information given.This was true even in the first chapter and itfrustrated the students.The book was also too long for a 1 semestercourse.

This is potentially a great book, but it needs work.
I used this book to teach a class on Energy Resources one year ago.I liked its completeness, and the fact that he used original scientific literature as references.However, many of the problems were undoable withthe information given.This was true even in the first chapter and itfrustrated the students.The book was also too long for a 1 semestercourse. ... Read more

Product Description
Energy policy is the manner in which a given entity (often governmental) has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption. The attributes of energy policy may include legislation, international treaties, incentives to investment, guidelines for energy conservation, taxation and other public policy techniques. A national energy policy comprises a set of measures involving that country's laws, treaties and agency directives. This book presents the latest research on the economic effects, security aspects and environmental issues connected with energy policy. ... Read more

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Environmental justice is one of the most controversial and important issuesin contemporary social science. Volume 8 of the Energy and EnvironmentalPolicy series challenges our understanding of environmental justice in a globalcontext. It includes theoretical investigations and case studies by leadingauthors in the field. ... Read more

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The primary objective of Energy and Environmental PolicyModeling is to introduce a variety of recentenergy--environmental modeling concepts, and to provide anoverview of these modeling concepts. Another major objective of thebook is the application of management science techniques to energy andenvironment policy issues which have expanded dramatically over thelast twenty-five years: the results from these applications havebecome increasingly relied upon by those making energy andenvironmental decisions. Thus, an overview of some of the mostinteresting work in this field on some of the biggest contemporarypolicy issues is a worthy objective. In this respect, policy issuesare discussed in the following conceptual modeling frameworks: end-usemodeling, integrating supply and demand, aggregateenergy--economy interactions, and multi-sectorenergy--economy interactions. Hence the book begins with policy studies. First there is a chapter onoil resource depletion and technological change by John Rowse. Twoarticles on electric sector restructuring follow, by William Hogan andHung-po Chao/Stephen Peck. The first section is followed by fourchapters motivated by the debate over appropriate climate changepolicies: one by Richard Richels, Jae Edmonds, Howard Gruenspecht, andTom Wigley on the implications of different carbon emissiontrajectories; one by Stephen Peck and Thomas Telsberg on appropriateemissions trajectories under uncertainty; one by Susan Swinehart onthe potential of tree planting as a climate policy response; and oneby Gunter Stephan on inter-generational discounting. Finally, the bookends with a chapter by Tom Rutherford on the sequence of linearcomplimentarity problem technique for solving general equilibriumproblems, and one on the International Energy Network by LeoSchrattenholzer, an institution managed jointly by Schrattenholzer andAlan Manne. The work of Professor Alan Manne is heavily referenced inevery chapter of this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The idea that we must choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy is a myth, says David Goldstein. Not only do well-conceived environmental regulations create more jobs, in the long run they contribute to more efficient designs and less expensive products. Standing between us and a cleaner, more prosperous society is the resistance of economic incumbents and a misplaced ideological opposition to any kind of regulation, even though it might prove beneficial. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Back to the Future
This book has been written in 2007. At the time, it was a vision. Today, this is reallity!

I liked Mr. Goldstein's point of view. He brings new ideas and this gentleman knows a lot about both sides of the story: Business and Environment. If you are looking for good tools to help you in a industry/environment discussion, here you are.

This is a very good book if you would like to understand the World of Energy and how to bring solutions to some problems with facts.

I highly recommend it

Groundbreaking Study of Efficiency Should Be More Efficient
This is a very frustrating book. David Goldstein gets high marks for his groundbreaking ideas on energy efficiency, but he damages his insights with atrocious writing and research methods. First for the good news. Goldstein bridges the gaps between environmentalists and business interests by ruthlessly debunking the myths that keep both sides from talking to the other. These myths prevent not just understanding, but policies that can both protect the environment and enhance profits. All sides could win if it wasn't for their political ideologies and misperceptions of the other's motivations. Goldstein also illuminates the weaknesses of fundamental economic theory, politicized beliefs in free markets, and opposition to government regulations. Energy efficiency technologies and incentives can clearly bridge these political chasms.

Now for the bad news. The structure and style of this book indicate that Goldstein can't decide who is audience is. Most of the text is addressed to environmentalists and business leaders, but in the introduction Goldstein for some reason tries to please a limited academic audience by claiming that professorial literature on his subject matter is prohibitively scarce. Not only does this alienate 99% of Goldstein's audience, but it's also an insincere apology because there has been plenty of academic research on most of the topics here. It's just outside of economics, the discipline that Goldstein almost exclusively cites (and criticizes). For instance, political economy and critical legal studies are loaded with research on the weaknesses and failures of classical economic theory, but none of it is acknowledged by Goldstein in his misguided attempts to build his own theory. This fractured research focus holds back the full potential of Goldstein's ideas, and prevents him from taking a stand behind his otherwise groundbreaking ideas.

And finally, there is the problematic writing. Goldstein needs an editor to help him stop trying to impress professors and to write for his real audience. The book is slowed down by inelegant, crusty language like "strong theoretical reasons exist to expect the result." And Goldstein severely overuses introductions and summaries (another academic bad habit) to an extent that is downright annoying. Every single chapter starts with several paragraphs on what will be discussed, and ends with several paragraphs that summarize what was discussed and introduce the next chapter that also has its own introduction. Each of the book's three parts has a multi-page introduction that repeats the introductions for each of the chapters, and the final chapter and appendix spend 41 pages largely summarizing the rest of the book. Worst of all are the preface AND introduction which spend 21 pages doing you-know what. This is extremely tiresome for the motivated and interested layperson. By eliminating all of this book's introductions and summaries, it could be much more efficient in size, and in the energy required to produce it. [~doomsdayer520

An enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional supplemental reading lists
The documented theme of David B. Goldstein's "Saving Energy, Growing Jobs: How Environmental Protection Promotes Economic Growth, Competition, Profitability And Innovation" is that those who maintain that the public the government, and the business community, must choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy is a false choice. Goldstein persuasively presents the view that well-conceived local, state, and federal environmental regulations will create more jobs in the local, state, and federal economies than they will eliminate. An additional benefit is that sound environmental policies will effectively spur the creation of more efficient designs and less expensive products by the regulated industries. "Saving Energy, Growing Jobs" profiles the unexpected success of early energy regulations; reveals how markets actually work and how they fail; exposes the myths of both the environmentalists and the anti-environmentalists; provides a practical model for well-designed environmental policies; and offers guidelines for transforming the current national political debate with respect to environmental regulation to deal with everything from climate change, to pollution controls, to joint international efforts for environmental protections. Of special note are Goldstein's proposals for implementing a combination of incentives and regulations to speed the process of developing sound and effective environmental policies and practices. "Saving Energy, Growing Jobs" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional supplemental reading lists, as well as corporate, governmental, academic, and community library Environmental Studies and Economic Studies reference collections.

Well worth reading for the new insights, but heavy going
I agree with just about everything said in the Publishers' Weekly comment cited by Amazon.Read this book better to understand how technology and science can save energy and create jobs, and make the U.S. more competitive with new technologies.Also, however, this book presents valuable insights into how both public agencies and private industries make decisions in this arena.One important message is the reluctance of trade associations to change, and how they often pressure individual companies who might otherwise bring new products and processes to the market.
The main issue I have with this book is that, as written (style), it is heavy going, of interest mostly to readers dedicated to its cause (energy efficiency/new technologies) and folks whose careers are tied to the energy industries.General readers may not be willing to make the effort called for in reading this book. ... Read more

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From Argentina to Zimbabwe, the industrialized world's encroachment on native lands has brought disastrous environmental harm to indigenous peoples. This unique resource surveys those indigenous peoples and the environmental hazards that threaten their existence, providing a wealth of information not readily available elsewhere. ... Read more

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Controversy surrounding environmental issues is not a recent development in American history. Since the time of the early settlers, issues concerning the environment have plagued certain groups of Americans. In this exhaustively researched study, primary documents support different sides of various questions, such as the use of water as an energy source, deforestation, gold mining in California, and the emergence of wildlife conservation. High school and college students will not only find this book extremely comprehensive, but will also find its heated discussions exceptionally engaging.

Some of the major topics covered include differences between the way Native Americans and early settlers treated the land, The Land Ordinance of 1785, Thomas Jefferson's views about the land, the commercial progress of New England river valleys, establishing the Adirondack Forest Preserve in 1885, Theodore Roosevelt's thoughts on forest conservation, the pros and cons of hydraulic gold mining, the near-extinction of the North American bison, andThe Lacey Act

Magoc's book will prove an essential asset for all American history students.

Product Description
This book identifies steps that can be taken to bridge divisions on technology transfer and cooperation between Annex I and non-Annex I countries that have become apparent during the UNFCCC negotiations. It is based on the proceedings of a recent workshop at Chatham House that brought together key speakers and negotiators to focus on how these problems may be resolved through the use of FDI and other new approaches to encouraging the adoption of positive measures. ... Read more

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This important book deals with the essential principles of resource and environmental economics, provides applications to contemporary issues in this field, and outlines and assesses policies being used or proposed for managing the use of environmental and natural resources. Covering specific contemporary topics such as agriculture and the environment, water use, greenhouse gas management, biodiversity conservation, tourism and the environment, and environmental economics and health, leading issues in resource and environmental economics are outlined and analyzed in an innovative manner. Institutional economics (both new and traditional) is applied and compared with other approaches such as neoclassical economics, behavioral economics and the Austrian School of Economics. This heterogeneous, multi-perspective approach enables problems to be considered from several different angles, thus enhancing the reader's comprehension of the subject matter. Furthermore, using minimal technical jargon, the book takes into account aspects of modern economic analysis such as the costs of and constraints on decision-making and the transaction costs involved in policy implementation. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2006. The length of the article is 9882 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Environmental protection issues in the 109th Congress.
Author: Susan R. Fletcher
Publication: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs (Report)
Date: June 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA

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This volume presents a detailed study of the climate strategies of ExxonMobil, Shell, and Statoil. With an innovative analytical approach, the authors explain variations at three decision-making levels: within the companies themselves, in the national home-bases of the companies, and at the international level. The analysis generates policy-relevant knowledge about whether and how corporate resistance to a viable climate policy can be overcome.
... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Mississippi Business Journal, published by Venture Publications on April 7, 2003. The length of the article is 1836 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Power companies balance environmental, business issues. (Focus Environment).
Author: Lynne W. Jeter
Publication: Mississippi Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 7, 2003
Publisher: Venture Publications
Volume: 25Issue: 14Page: 18(2)

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Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Energy & Buildings, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Almost in all the major cities in Asian countries, residential buildings are characterized with high-rise and high density. Under this circumstance, achieving comfortable and healthy indoor environment with minimized energy consumption becomes a very challenging engineering and societal issue. While the wide use of air-conditioning helped to improve thermal comfort, health problems associated with poor indoor air qualities have appeared more frequently. The increased energy consumption is also a great concern in view of its impact on the energy economics of the region. Drawn from some of the onsite measurements and survey, and also the author's personal observation, some of the key issues are discussed in this paper. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from UN Chronicle, published by United Nations Publications on December 1, 1989. The length of the article is 547 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: IAEA General Conference deals with nuclear safety, environmental issues; approves $162 million budget for 1990. (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Publication: UN Chronicle (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 1989
Publisher: United Nations Publications
Volume: v26Issue: n4Page: p32(1)

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