Energy Efficiency and Human Activity: Past Trends, Future Prospects (Cambridge Energy and Environment Series)

This book focuses on the evolution of energy-using activities in a dozen industrialized countries and many developing countries as well, with particular attention paid to the energy-intensive branches of manufacturing, automobiles, air travel, home heating, and electric appliances. The authors draw scenarios of future energy efficiency improvements, based on their findings about past improvements, and their survey of the potential for change. The study concludes that only massive improvement in energy efficiency in the near and medium term can provide the world with breathing room to develop and deploy a mix of relatively clean energy sources that will not further aggravate environmental or climate problems.

This book deals with the interrelations between energy using activities, energy supplies and the environment in a comprehensive and useful manner. The authors are very well-known to those involved in energy research. The book has three main parts. The first includes a description of how and why energy use has evolved around the world in the past two decades. Secondly, prospects for more energy efficient use throughout the world is discussed. Lastly, an overview of policies and programs that can help to change the course of energy use is proposed.