Landscapes of Energy

This book collects and summarizes current scientific knowledge concerning coal-mined landscapes of the Appalachian region in eastern United States. Containing contributions from authors across disciplines, the book addresses topics relevant to the region’s coal-mining history and its future; its human communities; and the soils, waters, plants, wildlife, and human-use potentials of Appalachia’s coal-mined landscapes.

In an era marked by escalating energy demands and imperatives of environmental stewardship, this compendium serves as a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted dimensions shaping contemporary energy development, with a focal lens on the symbiotic relationship between energy, information, and transportation systems. The canvas of 2023's energy evolution is painted against the backdrop of heightened consciousness surrounding climate change and environmental degradation. This epoch witnesses an unyielding momentum toward sustainability, catalyzed by a profound shift in energy-sourcing paradigms. Renewable energy sources—solar, wind, hydro, and beyond—attain unprecedented prominence, not merely as alternative energy options but as linchpins of a redefined energy matrix, fostered by advancements in technology, economics, and scalability. At the nexus of this transformative energy landscape lies the realm of Energy Informatics—a domain where information technologies converge with energy systems. Smart grids, IoT-enabled devices, data analytics, and artificial intelligence orchestrate a symphony of efficiency and optimization, revolutionizing energy management, demand-response dynamics, and grid resilience. The fusion of information technology and energy infrastructures stands poised to usher in an era of unprecedented interconnectivity and adaptability. Transportation, an indispensable facet of the energy ecosystem, undergoes a metamorphosis in 2023. Electrification, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and advancements in sustainable fuels reimagine mobility paradigms, heralding a transition toward greener, more efficient transportation systems. The synergy between energy and transportation, facilitated by data-driven insights and technological innovations, propels the convergence of these domains toward a more sustainable future. Moreover, the global socio-political landscape assumes paramount significance in shaping the contours of energy dynamics. Geopolitical considerations, international collaborations, and policy frameworks delineate the trajectory of energy infrastructure investments, trade patterns, and the realization of sustainable energy transitions on a global scale. Yet, within the narrative of progress, challenges persist. Legacy infrastructures, regulatory complexities, socio-economic disparities, and the imperative of inclusive transitions underscore the complexities inherent in reshaping the energy and transportation landscapes.

This book considers the meaning of the term, considers the value and characteristics of Google Earth, and discusses the main driving forces of landscape change. Google Earth provides a means whereby one can identify changes in the landscapes of Earth over recent decades. This has been a time of great human activity, and landscapes have been transformed as a result of such factors as land use and land-cover change, climate change, the intensive harnessing of new energy sources, population pressures, and globalization. Many geologists now believe that the whole Earth System is being changed and that there is thus a need to introduce the concept of the Anthropocene. It then looks at specific landscape types, including rivers, coasts, lakes, deserts, tundra, and glaciers.

Studio Album and Live Album recorded with National Orchestra of Bretagne conducted by Zahia Ziaouni.