Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming (Audiobook)

Product Description:

A high-stakes race that will transform global economies is beginning: the race to develop low-carbon energy in time to solve the dangerous problem of global warming. And if Washington gets the rules wrong, the race will flounder or even run horribly off course.



Summary: Earth: The Sequel
Rating: 5

If you vote or want to be an informed citizen, you must read "Earth: The Sequel" by Fred Krupp and Miriam Horn. I thought that I was up to speed on renewable energy, alternate energy, or global warming, but my eyes were opened wider from reading this book. It is written in a interesting style, making personal the success stories of inventors and entrepeneurs. The same material could make your mind wander without the human interest approach. Fred Krupp is a strong advocate of "cap and trade" legistration. Our government is trying to pass such legistration this summer of 2009. Krupp makes strong arguments for it. Advancements will not be made without a level playing field. The coal and other carbon burners have used our atmosphere as their personal sewer for too long. The free enterprise system will kick in under "cap and trade" and radically reduce greenhouse gases and the need to purchase vast amounts of oil from arab countries. Our oil purchases make our enemies stronger and richer.
Please read this book and help nudge our politicians in the right direction.
Ralph Hermansen July 14, 2009


Summary: Informative Up-to-date ideas
Rating: 5

This book was made into a special shown on the Discovery Channel in March 2009. It is the most uplifting look at what we can do to save our planet by using renewable energy technologies. There are new ideas blossoming every day ~ and not just in large companies, but, in backyards and small businesses ~ by every-day people.


Summary: Good News for Renewable Energy
Rating: 5

Earth the Sequel has great descriptions on the many renewable energy sources being developed by brilliant people. It is a very hopeful and positive book, and it appears that there are quite a few sources of energy that are completely sustainable, which will be affordable in the near future. It's quite possible that some of the more fanciful ideas will never be brought to a commercial level, but some of the more interesting ones were the fuels from algae, concentrated solar power with thermal storage, and fuel from agricultural waste.

I suppose my only disappointment with the book is that it reminds me that I've read for the last 40 years about renewable energy that was just 5 years away, and it's always just 5 years away (without actually happening). Still, this next decade could actually be the decade where renewable energy comes into its own. Having very expensive oil prices will certainly help spur the creation of more renewable energy, only the oil prices would have to be sustained at a high price for many years before anything meaningful happens. As I write this, oil prices are relatively low - giving little incentive for anyone or any business to change their ways. That's why the author is such a proponent of cap and trade for carbon dioxide emissions - they set an absolute limit on the amount of fossil fuel combustion that can occur.

Good explanation of cap and trade; good description of renewable energy, very positive, and left me feeling hopeful. I'll be waiting for my algae-derived fuel.