Energy in Perspective

Energy in Perspective attempts to place the 1973 ''energy crisis'' in perspective. It discusses sources of energy, its uses, and the projections for the future. It is concerned primarily with the patterns of energy consumption, the fuels required to produce this energy, and the effect that energy usage is having on the environment. It examines the overall situation and discusses both the short-term problems and the long-term outlook. Emphasis is given to questions of fuel supplies and new energy technologies rather than crisis remedies such as gasoline rationing, reduced speed limits, and fuel oil allocations. The book also engages in an exercise of ''futurism'': How much energy will be needed in the year 2000? In the year 2050? How much fuel can be extracted from the Earth by these dates? What new technologies will be available in 25 or 75 years? This book is intended for use in classroom courses as a text or supplementary text and for individual reading. It is not intended as a sourcebook of new and authoritative data. The figures, estimates, and projections given here are not original; instead, they represent what the author believes to be the most reliable information and the most reasonable projections available at present.