Prior to the so-called "energy crisis" of 1973, energy played a relatively minor role in our daily lives.and received limited attention from economists, planners and politicians. As a means of production its share in the total cost of the average product was considerably less than 10%. After the decisive events of 1973/74 however, all of this is changed. Energy now affects our daily lives more than anything else; it is the most current issue in business circles, the academia, the civil services and politics; and it is likely to become the most important factor in a potential international instability. The jump in oil prices in 1973 did not just lead to global inflation. but it also made the world a much more complicated environment to live in. Most decisions now require the analysis of yet another dimension; the alternatives have increased in number; the penalty for errors has gone up, and the like. In contrast to the interwoven, complicated, and mostly incompre hensible reality, progress is being made in the realm of mathe matical modelling that is comprehensible and has the advantage that it can be designed~o the degree of complication desired. Viewed in this way, it can be said that the aim of the Advanced Study Institute held in Istanbul in June 1979 was to try to bridge the gap between the real system and its model.

Prior to the so-called "energy crisis" of 1973, energy played a relatively minor role in our daily lives.and received limited attention from economists, planners and politicians. As a means of production its share in the total cost of the average product was considerably less than 10%. After the decisive events of 1973/74 however, all of this is changed. Energy now affects our daily lives more than anything else; it is the most current issue in business circles, the academia, the civil services and politics; and it is likely to become the most important factor in a potential international instability. The jump in oil prices in 1973 did not just lead to global inflation. but it also made the world a much more complicated environment to live in. Most decisions now require the analysis of yet another dimension; the alternatives have increased in number; the penalty for errors has gone up, and the like. In contrast to the interwoven, complicated, and mostly incompre hensible reality, progress is being made in the realm of mathe matical modelling that is comprehensible and has the advantage that it can be designed~o the degree of complication desired. Viewed in this way, it can be said that the aim of the Advanced Study Institute held in Istanbul in June 1979 was to try to bridge the gap between the real system and its model.

Prior to the so-called "energy crisis" of 1973, energy played a relatively minor role in our daily lives.and received limited attention from economists, planners and politicians. As a means of production its share in the total cost of the average product was considerably less than 10%. After the decisive events of 1973/74 however, all of this is changed. Energy now affects our daily lives more than anything else; it is the most current issue in business circles, the academia, the civil services and politics; and it is likely to become the most important factor in a potential international instability. The jump in oil prices in 1973 did not just lead to global inflation. but it also made the world a much more complicated environment to live in. Most decisions now require the analysis of yet another dimension; the alternatives have increased in number; the penalty for errors has gone up, and the like. In contrast to the interwoven, complicated, and mostly incompre hensible reality, progress is being made in the realm of mathe matical modelling that is comprehensible and has the advantage that it can be designed~o the degree of complication desired. Viewed in this way, it can be said that the aim of the Advanced Study Institute held in Istanbul in June 1979 was to try to bridge the gap between the real system and its model.

If we continue our highly inefficient, dangerous energy usage, we’re headed for both economic and environmental catastrophe. However, the hard truth is that alternative fuels can’t fully replace fossil fuels for decades. What’s more, new research indicates that energy inefficiencies are retarding economic growth even more than most experts ever realized. Crossing the Energy Divide is about solving all these problems at once. The authors, two leading experts in energy and environmental economics, show how massive improvements in energy efficiency can bridge the global economy until clean renewables can fully replace fossil fuels. Robert and Edward Ayres demonstrate how we can radically reform the way we manage our existing energy systems to double the amount of “energy service” we get from every drop of fossil fuel we use. These techniques require no scientific breakthroughs: Many companies and institutions are applying them right now, but tens of thousands more could. This book offers a strategic guide for using them to solve the energy crisis once and for all—reducing carbon emissions, achieving true energy security, and reigniting economic growth for decades to come. More energy, without more emissions Recapturing lost energy from today’s fossil fuels There is such a thing as a free lunch Mitigating climate disaster and improving prosperity at the same time The future of electricity Reforming tomorrow’s electrical system: smarter, more productive, and more reliable The implications for cities, transportation, business, and government Making the decisions that prepare you for a high-cost energy future

This book provides a historical background for the world's current energy problems, describing how the Industrial Revolution has led us to the impending end of the "Age of Fossil Fuels," and describes possible solutions for averting a global crisis. World Energy Crisis: A Reference Handbook provides a thorough investigation of a controversial topic: our current global energy situation, and what actions should be taken to prevent a crippling fuel-supply catastrophe in the future. The book presents a historical background for current energy problems that discusses the supply and consumption of various forms of energy at different periods of history, covering the evolution of energy use in civilization beginning with human muscle power, the successive eras of mechanized industry and transportation, and our current dependence on fossil fuels. The author explains geopolitical factors regarding energy; details controversial new ways of extending the fossil fuel supply, including the exploitation of tar sands and oil shale as well as new technologies like hydraulic fracturing; and examines the various environmental concerns that are integral to extracting energy from natural resources—and the results of consuming them.