Transition Engineering: Building a Sustainable Future [Hardcover]

1. The Mega-Problems of Unsustainability. 2. Problems of Unsustainability. 3. Complexity and Communication. 4. Transition Engineering. 5. InTIME Models and Methods. 6. Economic Decision Support. 7. Transition Economics: Balancing Costs and Benefits. 8. Conclusion and Discussion.

Transition Engineering: Building a Sustainable Future examines new strategies emerging in response to global climate change, decline in oil supplies, scarcity of key industrial minerals and local environmental constraints. A methodology is presented for shifting from unsustainable activities, presented so that engineers can use it effectively. Here is a book that captures the essential energy crisis of dependency on fossil fuels at a time when dramatic change is urgently needed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to avert the worst effects of climate instability. The book is accessible in style and uses imagery that illustrates the problems faced and the solutions available. Engineers need to increase their understanding of the huge challenges around energy that society faces, and this book helps with this understanding.

Peter Guthrie, University of Cambridge, UK

Usually, the societal transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is discussed in terms of politics and investment. However, this historic shift also presents a huge and fascinating engineering challenge. Transition Engineering is a clear and useful guide to understanding technological issues in key aspects of energy production and usage, as they relate to a sustainable future. If you are interested in making a practical contribution to fighting climate change by redesigning industrial systems, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

Richard Heinberg, Post Carbon Institute, USA

If you want to be challenglJ