Vision 2050: Roadmap for a Sustainable Earth

ISBN-13: 9784431998037 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 162 str.

Hiroshi Komiyama;Steven Kraines

Opis

Hiroshi Komiyama's "Vision 2050" is a plan for paving a road to global sustainability. It lays out a path to a sustainable future for humanity that could realistically be achieved by 2050 through the application of science and technology. A prominent Japanese academic and leader in global sustainability, Komiyama draws upon realistic assumptions and solid scientific concepts to create a vision that makes the living standards enjoyed by developed countries today possible for all people by 2050. "Vision 2050" is built upon three fundamental principles increased energy efficiency, recycling, and development of renewable energy sources and the book argues for the technological potential of all three. Specifically, Komiyama envisions a three-fold increase in overall energy efficiency and a doubling of renewable energy resources by 2050. "Vision 2050: Roadmap for a Sustainable Earth" is written to address the concerned citizen as well as to inspire an exchange of ideas among experts, policy makers, industrial leaders, and the general public."

Spis treści

Preface Chapter 1: Is the earth sustainable? 1.Changes from which the earth recovers, and changes from which the earth does not 2. Mechanisms for recovery 3. A massive intervention by humanity into the biosphere 4. The flow of materials resulting from 'making things' 5. What happens if we continue with 'business as usual?' Chapter 2: Knowing energy 1. Energy is conserved 2. What is energy used for? 3. Energy degrades 4. Improving efficiency Chapter 3: The limit of energy efficiency 1. The elementary steps of human activities 2. The energy of elementary steps 3. The energy of human activities Chapter 4: Energy conservation in daily life 1. The automobile 2. Homes and offices 3. Power plants Chapter 5: Making things and recycling things 1. The theory of recycling 2. Recycling that is also energy conservation 3. Is it bad to burn waste paper and plastic? Chapter 6: Introduction of renewable energy 1. Could intensification of nuclear power be the answer? 2. Sunlight 3. Hydropower and wind power 4. Geothermal and tides Chapter 7: How to make a sustainable earth 1. The significance of the Kyoto Protocol 2. Vision 2050: a new road to a sustainable earth 3. A concrete image for Vision 2050 (1) A three-fold increase in energy use efficiency (2) Construction of a material recycling system (3) Development of renewable energy Chapter 8: How will technology and society work together? 1. Forming a total infrastructure for circulating materials in society 2. Making the market work for sustainability 3. Projects for Vision 2050 4. Rebuilding the relationship between technology and society Postscript