Mad Like Tesla: Underdog Inventors and their Relentless Pursuit of Clean Energy

An “illuminating and important” look at the scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are working to save us from catastrophic climate change (New York Journal of Books)

Climate change solutions so crazy they just might work!

A search for the contemporary Nikola Tesla — considered a mad scientist by his society for predicting global warming more than 100 years ago — fuels this analysis of climate issues, which introduces thinkers and inventors who are working to find possible ways out of the energy crisis.

From Louis Michaud, a retired refinery engineer who claims we can harness the energy of man-made tornadoes, to a professor and a businessman who are running a company that genetically modifies algae so it can secrete ethanol naturally, these individuals and their unorthodox methods are profiled through first-person interviews, exposing the social, economic, financial, and personal barriers that prevent them from making an impact with their ideas.

The existing state of green energy technologies, such as solar, wind, biofuels, smart grid, and energy storage, is also explored, creating a sense of hope against a backdrop of climate dread.

Tyler Hamilton is an author, adjunct professor, and award-winning energy and technology writer for the Toronto Star, where for five years he has been one of Canada’s leading voices on green technology issues and trends through his weekly column and associated blog, CleanBreak.ca.