Energy Efficiency and Human Activity: Past Trends, Future Prospects

by Lee Schipper, Stephen Meyers, Richard B. Howarth, Ruth Steiner

Overview

This book focuses on the evolution of energy-using activities in a dozen industrialized countries and many developing countries as well, with particular attention paid to the energy-intensive branches of manufacturing, automobiles, air travel, home heating, and electric appliances. The authors draw scenarios of future energy efficiency improvements, based on their findings about past improvements, and their survey of the potential for change. The study concludes that only massive improvement in energy efficiency in the near and medium term can provide the world with breathing room to develop and deploy a mix of relatively clean energy sources that will not further aggravate environmental or climate problems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521432979
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/19/1992
Series:	Cambridge Energy and Environment Series
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.98(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. World energy use since 1970: an overview; 3. Historic trends in manufacturing; 4. Historic trends in transportation; 5. Historic trends in the residential sector; 6. Historic trends in the service sector; 7. Trends between 1973 and 1988: summary and key issues; 8. Outlook for activity and structural change; 9. Energy intensities: prospects and potential; 10. Scenarios of future energy intensities; 11. Restraining energy use: policies and programs; 12. Energy and human activity: steps towards a sustainable future.

Editorial Reviews

"...a concentrated compilation of essential information, accompanied by analytical comment sometimes so acute that it would verge on the nit-picking, were it not so obviously relevant to the global energy future." Walt Patterson, New Scientist

"...impeccable methodology and logic...skillful organization and good writing have made [this book] uncommonly readable...the book is homework for understanding energy matters throughout the world..." Whole Earth Review

From the Publisher