7.8 /10 1 Votes
Language English Media type Print (Paperback) Publisher Profile Books | 3.9/5 Goodreads Publication date 13 November 2008 Originally published 13 November 2008 Genre Popular science Country United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Original title Ten Technologies to Save the Planet Cover artist N/A (artpartner-images.com) Pages 292 pp (UK paperback edition) Subjects Global warming, Climate change Similar Chris Goodall books, Global warming books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ten Technologies to Fix Energy and Climate (second edition, 2009) or Ten Technologies to Save the Planet (first edition, 2008) is a popular science book by Chris Goodall first published in 2008 and re-issued in 2009 by Profile Books. Its ten chapters each detail a technology that has the potential to reduce Greenhouse Gases while being economically and technologically viable in the present or near future. The book received a positive critical response for the way in which it was written and dealt with the issues surrounding Global Warming.
Contents
Overview
The book is divided into ten chapters which deal with a different technology (although there was some contention, as raised by the author, with the 'Soils and Forests' Chapter). Typically every chapter covers the advantages, disadvantages and viability (economically and technologically) of the technology.
With regards to wind power, Goodall argues that since the technology to utilise wind efficiently exists currently and there are sufficient sites to supply the world's energy demands ("72 terawatts - around thirty times the world's electricity requirements"), the main obstacle is reliability.
Efficiency of current photovoltaic panels (typically 10%) and the cost (of silicon) are identified as the only remaining problems in rolling out large solar powerplants in places such as North Africa, the Sahara Desert and California, Goodall concludes in the solar energy chapter.
Goodall identifies the Pentland Firth as one of twenty global sites that promise 'enormous potential' with tidal-stream power. Cited as the main reason for continued failure to harness the Ocean's 'enormous untapped potential' is a lack of funding, driven by competition in R&D and a lack of interest; although Goodall is optimistic and admits there have been improvements.
Efficient fuel cells applied to domestic homes, the author suggests, may be capable of simultaneously providing hot water, heating and profiting the owner with exports to the local grid. Also discussed are district heating plants, which are widespread in Denmark, able to provide heat to towns and produce electricity.
The Introduction explains how the author came to write about the subject. A section called 'Putting it all Together' looks at if the aforementioned ten technologies have the combined potential to 'save the planet'. Finally the Epilogue reveals the reasoning behind why some technologies (e.g. nuclear energy) are not included and may not work.
Critical reception
Ten Technologies to Save the Planet has received a positive critical response; Mark Lynas, an environmentalist and author of Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet, said "Ten Technologies is superb - it cuts like lightning through the myths and muddled thinking surrounding energy issues. It is vital, topical and brilliantly written." BBC Green, said the book was "Rewarding and essential, Ten Technologies combines rigorous research and an accessible tone." The review on REUK.co.uk said "Covering so many of the technologies which are likely to shape the world over the next 10-20 years, this book is essential reading."