Energy And Civilization

Fossil fuels comprise the accumulation of prehistoric biomass that was energised by sunlight, and formed by earth system dynamics. Fossil fuels can be conceptualized as stored energy stocks that can be readily converted to power flows, on demand. A transition from a reliance on stored energy stocks, to renewable energy flows, will require a replication of energy storage by technological devices and energy conversion methods.

Energy is, without a doubt, the very foundation of the universe. It’s the engine that powers life and fuels the evolution of human civilization.

Systems that produce, deliver, and consume energy all around us are under- going a transition. This is a textbook that I hope reaches people interested in learning about the socio-ecological dimensions of energy system transi- tions from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including ideas and concepts from engineering, economics, and life-cycle assessment to sociology, polit- ical science, anthropology, policy studies, the humanities, arts, and some interdisciplinary thinkers that defy categories. One prominent voice in cur- rent debates about energy transitions are argue to act on decarbonizing energy systems to mitigate climate impacts from carbon pollution from energy supplies. But other socio-ecological systems will be transformed and may benefit from shifts in energy use and production patterns.

Systems that produce, deliver, and consume energy all around us are under- going a transition. This is a textbook that I hope reaches people interested in learning about the socio-ecological dimensions of energy system transi- tions from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including ideas and concepts from engineering, economics, and life-cycle assessment to sociology, polit- ical science, anthropology, policy studies, the humanities, arts, and some interdisciplinary thinkers that defy categories. One prominent voice in cur- rent debates about energy transitions are argue to act on decarbonizing energy systems to mitigate climate impacts from carbon pollution from energy supplies. But other socio-ecological systems will be transformed and may benefit from shifts in energy use and production patterns. In 2020, 80% of global energy is still supplied from fossil fuels. Many places have taken great strides toward decarbonizing some aspects of life in 2020, but there are many miles to go to make a sustainable future.