The so-called energy crisis that burst upon the world in 1973 was not easily understood by many people. It was neither 'the beginning of the end' nor the first encounter by modern man with the natural result of his prodigality. These papers, collected in two volumes, from energy economists in the United States, Canada, and Britain all indicate that the 'crisis' was and is a short-run problem caused by government action or inaction. The problem may be complex, but it was mishandled, particularly by the United States, in terms of government policy. The rise in the price of, and the embargo on, oil came into being because of a successful producers' cartel outside North America; oil buyers -- nations and companies -- did not respond in kind but scurried around the world in separate planes in order to ensure supplies for themselves at any price. That price became many times the cost-of-production price, despite the fact that cool analysis reveals an increase in both production and reserves in most areas of the world. The shortage of refined oil products for consumers are attributable partly to the embargo, but also to a shortage of refineries and bottlenecks in transportation -- some of which have been induced by government uncertainties over recent years. Proper government policies are now required. The thirty-six papers in the two books treat a multitude of topics related to the question of energy as seen from the stance of the economist. All sources of energy are considered, as are the markets in major areas of the world; past policies are analysed, and future policies recommended.It is hoped that the volumes, giving the background to the energy problems of the immediate future and a menu of prescriptions for their solution, will interest businessmen, market analysts, and policy-makers as well as economists, teaching or learning, in many parts of the world.

The so-called energy crisis that burst upon the world in 1973 was not easily understood by many people. It was neither 'the beginning of the end' nor the first encounter by modern man with the natural result of his prodigality. These papers, collected in two volumes, from energy economists in the United States, Canada, and Britain all indicate that the 'crisis' was and is a short-run problem caused by government action or inaction. The problem may be complex, but it was mishandled, particularly by the United States, in terms of government policy. The rise in the price of, and the embargo on, oil came into being because of a successful producers' cartel outside North America; oil buyers - nations and companies - did not respond in kind but scurried around the world in separate planes in order to ensure supplies for themselves at any price. That price became many times the cost-of-production price, despite the fact that cool analysis reveals an increase in both production and reserves in most areas of the world. The shortage of refined oil products for consumers are attributable partly to the embargo, but also to a shortage of refineries and bottlenecks in transportation - some of which have been induced by government uncertainties over recent years. Proper government policies are now required. The thirty-six papers in the two books treat a multitude of topics related to the question of energy as seen from the stance of the economist. All sources of energy are considered, as are the markets in major areas of the world; past policies are analysed, and future policies recommended. It is hoped that the volumes, giving the background to the energy problems of the immediate future and a menu of prescriptions for their solution, will interest businessmen, market analysts, and policy-makers as well as economists, teaching or learning, in many parts of the world.

Energy and its corollary, energy geopolitics, is a more popular issue than ever before in today’s world. After being threatened for 40 years by fears of an oil shortage, we have now entered an era of abundant fossil fuels combined with an increase in global energy demand. However, new fears of sustainable development are now at the heart of energy policy. This book lays the foundation for an understanding of what energy is and the challenges ahead. The book opens with the fundamental principles of energy, reviewing the essential principles of physics that are based on universal laws that never change. It then examines the basics of data analysis and the importance of sustainable development. With this knowledge, it is then possible to review the different energy sources (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, renewable energy, electricity and energy efficiency), explaining how they are produced, the importance of their reserves, their specific markets and the main industrial actors, and the countries that produce them. These notions are essential to understand energy policy and geopolitics. As these are closely linked to its past evolution, many references are provided to historical events that put the current situation in perspective. This educational book is full of graphs, diagrams and boxes to help the reader gradually progress in their understanding of the highly complex geopolitical nature of energy.

An acclaimed author and celebrated journalist breaks down the history of electricity and the impact of global energy use on the world and the environment.​ Global demand for power is doubling every two decades, but electricity remains one of the most difficult forms of energy to supply and do so reliably. Today, some three billion people live in places where per-capita electricity use is less than what's used by an average American refrigerator. How we close the colossal gap between the electricity rich and the electricity poor will determine our success in addressing issues like women's rights, inequality, and climate change. In A Question of Power, veteran journalist Robert Bryce tells the human story of electricity, the world's most important form of energy. Through onsite reporting from India, Iceland, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, New York, and Colorado, he shows how our cities, our money--our very lives--depend on reliable flows of electricity. He highlights the factors needed for successful electrification and explains why so many people are still stuck in the dark. With vivid writing and incisive analysis, he powerfully debunks the notion that our energy needs can be met solely with renewables and demonstrates why--if we are serious about addressing climate change--nuclear energy must play a much bigger role. Electricity has fueled a new epoch in the history of civilization. A Question of Power explains how that happened and what it means for our future.