In this new study of energy use and global climate change, Richard Wolfson outlines basic science concepts as well as specific, contemporary applications in energy production and their environmental consequences. Energy, Environment, and Climate is structured on the premise that climate change is the dominant energy-related environmental issue of the twenty-first century. Traditional concerns like pollution and conservation of energy resources are covered with clear, scientific explanations. Unique to this text, a full five chapters--about one-third of the content--are devoted to climate and an understanding of the energy/climate link. Included are over 250 photographs and illustrations.

Preface xiii A Changing Planet 1 High-Energy Society 22 Energy: A Closer Look 37 Energy and Heat 68 Fossil Fuel Energy 105 Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuels 143 Nuclear Energy 177 Energy from Earth and Moon 224 Direct from the Sun: Solar Energy 251 Indirect from the Sun: Water, Wind, Biomass 292 Hydrogen Futures? 332 Keeping Warm: The Science of Climate 356 Forcing the Climate 377 Is Earth Warming? 403 Future Climates 426 Energy and Climate: Breaking the Link 456 Appendix 483 Glossary 489 Suggested Readings 501 Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises 507 Credits and Data Sources 509 Index 521