Global Energy Dilemmas / Edition 1

by Mike Bradshaw

Overview

Today’s global energy system faces two major challenges: how to secure the supply of reliable and affordable energy; and how to rapidly transform to a low-carbon, efficient and environmentally harmless energy supply. In this rigorous and illuminating book, Michael Bradshaw explores the key aspects of the current global energy dilemma and examines how it is playing out across the major regions and countries of the world.

The book begins by charting the development of the current global energy system - exploring its key characteristics with a focus upon energy security and the relationship between energy, economic development and climate change. The next four chapters offer in-depth analyses of four distinct global energy dilemmas in different parts of the world: the challenge of sustaining affluence and decarbonising energy services in the high-energy economies of the developed world; the legacies of the centrally planned economy and the consequences of liberalisation in the post-socialist world; growing energy demand and emissions growth associated with the emerging regions; and finally, the quest to provide universal access to modern energy services in the developing world in a manner that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Identifying the governance structures and policy options available to tackle the global energy dilemma, the book concludes that only an integrated approach - sensitive to regional issues - can reconcile the interests and needs of those facing differing energy challenges across the world today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745650647
Publisher:	Polity Press
Publication date:	11/18/2013
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Michael Bradshaw is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Leicester. In 2014 he will take up the post of Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School.

Table of Contents

Figures, Tables, and Boxes vi

Acronyms viii

Preface ix

1 Introduction 1

2 The Global Energy Dilemmas Nexus 23

3 Sustaining Affluence: Energy Dilemmas in High-Energy Societies 50

4 Legacies and Liberalization: Energy Dilemmas in the

Post-Socialist States 84

5 Fueling Growth: Energy Dilemmas in the Emerging Economies 120

6 Energizing Development: Energy Dilemmas in the

Developing World 149

7 Conclusions 181

Appendix: Country Classification 194

Bibliography 197

Index 216