Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air

5 Responses to “Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air”

1. Arkansas Traveler says:

   April 25, 2010 at 1:56 am

   Regarding the content of the book, it is a well thought out expose of the possibilities and limits of sustainable energy and I highly recommend it. But in the preface, the leader states, “This is a free book. I didn’t write this book to make money. I wrote it because sustainable energy is vital. If you want to have the book for free for your own use, please help yourself: It’s online at withouthotair com.”

   Naturally, I wasn’t very pleased about paying $30+ for the Kindle version.
   Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
2. Noel E. Thompson says:

   April 25, 2010 at 4:09 am

   Sustainable Energy – Lacking the Hot Air is a brilliant and entertaining introduction to the Energy Dilemma: We are using so much fossil fuel that we inevitably will cause catastrophe through global warming inside one hundred years, AND we will run out of economic fossil fuel, which is currently a necessity for the way we live, but most countries have no sustainable source of renewable energy.
   
   The book is so excellent because it addresses the fundamental question of “What do I judge” with really simple physics (and yes there are some equations)for the energy we use, and the energy we can generate. Scientists have known for one hundred years that this is the only way we EVER can know about the future, but we still try to use “proofs” using Aristotelian logic when we talk to the media: it doesn’t work because it is, factually “illogical” and while arguing from analogy may help you know,it does not form a basis for KNOWING.
   
   David MacKay also moves to “solutions”: which are sound enough for addressing the Fossil Fuel Running Out, but getting from “here” time to “there” time will be too late to save the Arctic: for that we need much greater reductions by 2020. Still, persons technologies needed to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 will come straight out of the simple physics and equations so perfectly open here. When we look back in ten years and question, what initiated the rapid shift to lightweight commuter vehicles, shorter legs on international flights, and “passive house” acceptance, I reflect we will source the movement to these simple equations.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
3. G. W. G. McDONALD says:

   April 25, 2010 at 6:59 am

   Prof. MacKay did an brilliant job – easily the most informative current book on energy.

   BUT Amazon sent me a pirated draft copy full of errors, misplaced paragraphs etc.

   I protested to Amazon – no response except for a belated response from Jeff Pohlman – who I assume is the pirating publisher.

   The original publisher in England “UIT Cambridge” generously rose to the occasion and sent me a replacement copy.

   My next order will go to Barnes & Noble

   Gerry McDonald
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
4. Bruce Lynn says:

   April 25, 2010 at 9:24 am

   One of the three core drivers to Dynamic Work is Environmental especially through the carbon trace reduction of cut-rate commuting and business travel. Anyone who takes a serious interest in this side must read the definitive work on the energy calculus (which being primarily hydro-carbon fed is also directly proportionate to carbon impact), must read the definitive, authoritative, objective and comprehensive analysis `Lacking Hot Air.’ It breaks through the myths of the Green movement and Establishment intransigents. It is the Rosetta Stone of the cacophonous eco-debate.

   If one really wants to know the simple, cold numbers about energy production and consumption, current and potential, in the world today, it is the definitive, objective work. It puts into perspective all of the various components of `greening’ one life. It takes no issue with people who want to do every small thing to help, but in the concept of broader strategy and policy, it makes the compelling point that scale and perspective are essential. One can be penny-wise and pound foolish. One can expend lots of energy and focus on low yield initiatives (or even counter productive ones), when certain additional initiatives deliver much larger gains. Leader David MacKay contradicts the common refrain of activists who say `every small helps’. He asserts, the reality is that `every huge helps.’

   In this fully objective, very comprehensive catalogue of energy outgoings by worldwide society, the second largest use of energy is car travel. Car travel, especially in the context of commuting and additional business travel, is a major benefit to Dynamic Work where workers’ activities are more closely aligned to `where they are available.’

   Bruce ([...]
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
5. England Wei says:

   April 25, 2010 at 11:59 am

   The addiction to fossil fuel is not only treacherous to our collective health, but also irresponsible with regard to future generations. Most of all, it is unsustainable.

   But perhaps we don’t have to give up our civilization and our hard-earned modern lifestyle in order to get ourselves off the hook.

   How so? This is the question. But before we can have meaningful debates, we need to place a figure on how huge a stake we’re dealing with here. We need to talk “numbers, not adjectives.”

   Hats off to David MacKay who gives us his unemotional assessment through a wonderfully simple read, a must for persons who still care about our planet.

   (If you don’t read, check out the images and the diagrams at least!)
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5