Ten Technologies to Save the Planet
Encyclopedia
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
.
(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 current and that there are sufficient sites to supply the world's energy demands ('72 terrawatts - about thirty times the world's electricity requirement'), 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.
, 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."
Popular science
Popular science, sometimes called literature of science, is interpretation of science intended for a general audience. While science journalism focuses on recent scientific developments, popular science is broad-ranging, often written by scientists as well as journalists, and is presented in many...
book by Chris Goodall
Chris Goodall
Christopher Frank William Goodall is an English businessman and author. He is an alumnus of St Dunstan’s College, University of Cambridge, and Harvard Business School ....
first published in 2008 and re-issued in 2009 by Profile Books
Profile Books
Profile Books is a British independent publishing firm founded in 1996 to publish stimulating non-fiction. It publishes across a wide range of subjects including history, biography, memoir, politics, current affairs, travel and popular science. It also publishes all The Economist Books.In 2003 it...
. Its ten chapters each detail a technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
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
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
.
Overview
The book is divided into ten chapters which deal with a different technologyTechnology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
(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
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
, Goodall argues that since the technology to utilise wind efficiently exists current and that there are sufficient sites to supply the world's energy demands ('72 terrawatts - about thirty times the world's electricity requirement'), the main obstacle is reliability.
Efficiency of current photovoltaic panels (typically 10%) and the cost (of silicon
Silicon
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
) are identified as the only remaining problems in rolling out large solar powerplants in places such as North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, the Sahara Desert and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 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
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. 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
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
) are not included and may not work.
Critical reception
Ten Technologies to Save the Planet has received a positive critical response; Mark LynasMark Lynas
Mark Lynas is a British author, journalist and environmental activist who focuses on climate change. He is a contributor to New Statesman, Ecologist, Granta and Geographical magazines, and The Guardian and The Observer newspapers in the UK; he also worked on the film The Age of Stupid...
, an environmentalist and author of Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet
Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet
Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet , ISBN 9780007209057 is a 2007 non-fiction book by author Mark Lynas about global warming.- Themes :The book is a meta-analysis that details the science of climate change...
, 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."