Beyond Smoke and Mirrors : Climate Change and Energy in the 21st Century

An insightful overview of climate change science and sustainable energy provision that assesses our options for averting potentially disastrous consequences of global warming. Written in non-technical language by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, this second edition allows readers to form their own conclusions on sustainable energy provision and climate change.

Global climate change is one of the most important issues humanity faces today. This updated, second edition assesses the sensible, senseless and biased proposals for averting the potentially disastrous consequences of global warming, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions on switching to more sustainable energy provision. Burton Richter is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who has served on many US and international review committees on climate change and energy issues. He provides a concise overview of our knowledge and uncertainties within climate change science, discusses current energy demand and supply patterns, and the energy options available to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. Written in non-technical language, this book presents a balanced view of options for moving from our heavy reliance on fossil fuels into a much more sustainable energy system, and is accessible to a wide range of readers without scientific backgrounds - students, policymakers and the concerned citizen.