Sustainable Energy Production and Consumption: Benefits, Strategies and Environmental Costing (NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental ... Security Series C: Environmental Security)

Energy and environmental security are major problems facing our global economy. Fossil fuels, particularly crude oil, are confined to a few regions of the world and the continuity of supply is governed by dynamic political, economic and ecological factors. These factors conspire to force volatile, often high fuel prices while, at the same time, environmental policy is - manding a reduction in greenhouse gases and toxic emissions. Yet incr- sed growth and demand for welfare by developed and developing countries are placing higher pressure on energy resources. In particular, a large fraction of “new consumers” in developing countries already reached a purchasing power high enough as to be able to access to commodity and energy markets worldwide, thus boosting energy consumption and competition for all kinds of resources. Such a trend, although in principle may represent a progress towards diffuse welfare and wealth as well as much needed equity, is at present contributing to a rush for the appropriation of available resources which are directly and indirectly linked to energy and may contribute to planetary instability if it is not adequately understood and managed. A coherent energy strategy is required, addressing both energy supply and demand, security of access, development problems, equity, market dy- mics, by also taking into account the whole energy lifecycle including fuel production, transmission and distribution, energy conversion, and the impact on energy equipment manufacturers and the end-users of energy systems.

this Volume Is A Result Of The Nato Advanced Research Workshop That Took Place In Naples, Italy On July 4 Through 7 Of 2007. The Workshop Brought Together The Top Researchers In Energy Technology, Energy Analysis, Energy Economics, And Environmental Economics From Nato Countries, Partner Countries And Mediterranean Action Countries. The Book, Like The Meeting Itself, Deals With Very Crucial Aspects Of The Energy/environmental/social Problem Such As Energy And Economic Growth, Integrated Analysis Of Societal And Ecosystem Metabolism, Status, Development And Use Of Renewable Energy Sources At Regional Level, And Zero Emission Production Patterns In Agriculture, Industry And The Energy Sectors. The Authors Treat In Depth All The Aspects Linked To Evaluation Methods, Multidisciplinary Integration Of Approaches, Economic Problems Of Energy Use, Competition Of Bioenergy With Food Production And Environmental Protection, Peak Oil And Strategies To Deal With, Trade And Societal Metabolism. The Close Interrelationship Of These Topics Emerges Very Clearly. So Much So That The Presentations Definitely Help To Place The Individual Projects And Research Activities Within A Larger Societal And Environmental Frame For Increased Sustainability. Special Focus Is Placed On The Fact That Increase Of Renewables, Diversification Of Sources, And Decentralization Of Energy Production And Use Are Capable Of Increasing Energy Security And Environmental Integrity.