Description
Book SynopsisThis book describes the long-term four billion-year context of anthropogenic climate change, and seeks to explain our inability to respond positively to its challenges. It argues that the availability of energy and the consequential capacity to do work and exert power has, over this time, defined the trajectory of life on planet Earth as well as many of its physiochemical characteristics. Six major historic energy revolutions are recognised - energising of the first living cell; harvesting the Sun's energy; emergence of complex eukaryotic cells; hominid use of fire/cooking for brains not brawn; agriculture, more food and urban life; fossil fuel bonanza and the industrial revolution - and we are now in the midst of the seventh revolution, responding albeit reluctantly to anthropogenic global climate change.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements List of Illustrations Prologue Chapter I: Introduction Chapter II: The Mysterious Origins of Life Chapter III: Harvesting the Sun Chapter IV: A Structural Revolution: Complex Cells Chapter V: The Hominid Factor Chapter VI: `Food Glorious Food'? Chapter VII: Fossil Fuels -An Energy Bonanza Chapter VIII: The Homeostatic Hierarchy. Chapter IX: Emergent Patterns Chapter X: The Gathering Storm - Greenhouse Gases: The Effluence of Affluence Chapter XI: On human behaviour and our social and physical constructs Chapter XII: Denouement? Chapter XIII: The Human Factor Notes References
