Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kick The Fossil Fuel Habit by Tom Rand - Book review
Kick The Fossil Fuel Habit
10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World
By: Tom Rand
Published: February 11, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9812952-0-6
Publisher: Eco Ten Publishing
"It is sometimes claimed that we cannot do without fossil fuels. That is false", writes engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist Tom Rand, in his visionary and hope filled book Kick The Fossil Fuel Habit: 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World. The author describes the reality of the coming energy crunch, and shares his compelling case, for transforming society's energy needs from fossil fuels to entirely renewable energy sources.
In this beautiful, over-sized book, Tom Rand presents ten existing technologies that can replace the dependence on oil, coal, and natural gas. Each chapter describes one of the ten renewable energy sources, complete with full color photographs, and analysis of the benefits associated with each technology. Far from being a book where vague concepts and wishful thinking substitute for real solutions, Tom Rand brings his business and engineering background to the forefront of his ideas. Rooted firmly in a world of entrepreneurship and venture capital, the author challenges business people to embrace the various clean technologies, and develop them into viable companies. Tom Rand presents challenges for governments, lenders, and large corporations to also develop alternative energy sources. For the author, time is running out on fossil fuels and the global economy must have other energy sources ready and able to fill the coming world wide energy deficit.
Tom Rand (photo left) doesn't present an alarmist viewpoint. Instead, he approaches the real problem of fossil fuel depletion realistically, and with an eye to practical business based solutions. The author recognizes the staggering amounts of energy required to feed a world that runs on energy. In the past, that energy requirement was met by fossil fuel extraction. The real problems of Peak Oil and global climate change must be addressed through renewable clean energy sources. Tom Rand provides the outline for ten different clean technologies. To make the transition from fossil fuels to clean technology won't be easy, acknowledges the author. The capital needs for renewable energy technology are massive. Tom Rand points out, however, that large sums of money were made available for easing the world financial crisis. Similar amounts of capital, according to Tom Rand, could also be made available for the gigantic scale projects essential for generating clean, renewable energy. From Tom Rand's perspective, there is simply no other choice available.
For me, the power of the book is how Tom rand tackles the enormous challenge of converting the global energy system from one based on fossil fuels to one built on clean, renewable technology. Tom Rand dispels several myths surrounding finance,climate science, and global trade. The author replaces those misconceptions with real world based solutions to these increasingly more pressing issues. Tom Rand understands completely that there are no fast, simple, and painless solutions. He emphasizes that the transition to a clean energy future will take time, money, and real will on the part of governments and business leaders.
The author also recognizes the almost mind numbing scale that renewable technology projects must take. Whether as corporate or government level initiatives, or a combination of many small and large businesses cooperating with government, the amounts of money, capital, labor, and expertise will be enormous. As an employment and investment boost, and as a road away from from fossil fuels, Tom Rand sees incredible environmental and economic benefits. To achieve the goal of complete transfer of energy needs from fossil fuels to clean and renewable technologies, Tom Rand proposes nothing less than a revolutionary change in thought and action.
I highly recommend the societal transforming book Kick The Fossil Fuel Habit: 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World by tom Rand, to anyone in business, government, academia, non-profit organizations or the general public who is serious about seeking viable, realistic solutions to the coming severe energy crisis. Time is running out for fossil fuels, and the author is issuing a challenge to develop the ten recommended technologies into small and large scale enterprises.
Read the revolutionary and world changing book Kick The Fossil Fuel Habit: 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World by Tom Rand, and discover the way out of the fossil fuel box, and how to enter into a brand new world powered by clean, renewable energy sources. The author demonstrates that the technology is viable and that it works. Now, all that is needed is a combined will of the public and its leaders to make the transformation a reality. The present and the future will depend on that success.
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