| Description |
1 online resource (xi, 480 pages) : illustrations, maps |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Description |
text file |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 401-459) and indexes. |
| Contents |
1. The universal link: energetics, energy, and power. Evolution of energetics: from Aristotle to Einstein ; Approaches to understanding: concepts, variables, units -- 2. Planetary energetics: hydrosphere, lithosphere. Sun: the star and its radiation ; Energy balance of the Earth: radiation fluxes ; Hydrosphere and atmosphere: thermal and mass fluxes ; Water and air in motion: kinetic fluxes ; Geoenergetics: heat, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes -- 3. Photosynthesis: bioenergetics of primary production. Photosynthetic pathways ; Global primary productivity ; Productivities of ecosystems and plants ; Phytomass stores ; Autotrophic scaling -- 4. Heterotrophic conversions: consumer bioenergetics. Metabolic capabilities ; Ectotherms and endotherms ; Locomotion ; Biomasses and productivities ; Heterotrophs in ecosystems -- 5. Human energetics: people as a simple heterotophs. Energy sources and basal metabolism ; Requirements and uncertainties ; Thermoregulation ; Limits of human performance ; Gathering, hunting and fishing -- Traditional food production: humans as a solar farmers. Extensive practices ; Permanent cropping ; Muscles, implements, machines ; Cropping intensification ; Traditional agricultures -- 7. Preindustrial complexification: prime movers and fuels in traditional societies. Animate power: human and animal muscles ; Water and wind: wheels and mills ; Phytomass fuels and metallurgy: wood, charcoal, crop residues ; Construction: methods and structures ; Transportation: roads and ships. |
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8. Fossil fuels: heat, light and prime movers. Coals: the earliest modern fuels ; Hydrocarbons: crude oils and natural gases ; From extraction to combustion: modern fossil-fuel industries ; Mechanical prime movers: engines and turbines ; Fossil-fueled electricity: generation and transmission -- 9. Fossil-fueled civilization: patterns and trends. Fuels ad fossil-fueled electricity : energy production and trade ; Nonfossil contributions: biomass and primary electricity ; Global consumption patterns: growth and inequality ; Qualitative changes: transitions and efficiencies ; Energy conservation: gains and rebounds -- 10. Energy costs: valuations and changes. Energy cost of energy: net gains ; Basic materials: from concrete to fertilizers ; Structures and products: from buildings to computers ; Crops and animal foods: subsidized diets ; Modern food system: gains, costs, efficiencies -- 11. Environmental consequences: metabolism of fossil-fueled civilization. Power densities: energy and land ; Energy conversions and heat rejection ; Energy and water ; Energy and the atmosphere ; Interference in grand biospheric cycles -- 12. Energetic correlates: complexities of high-energy civilization. Energy and the economy ; Energy and value ; Energy and the quality of life ; Energy and war ; Energy and the future -- 13. Grand patterns: energetic and other essentials. Energy in the biosphere ; Energy and the civilization ; The challenges ahead. |
| Summary |
A comprehensive, systematic, analytically unified, and interdisciplinary treatment of energy in nature and society, from solar radiation and photosynthesis to our fossil fueled civilization and its environmental consequences. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Bioenergetics.
|
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Bioenergetics. |
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Energy budget (Geophysics)
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Energy budget (Geophysics) |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
|
| Subject |
Biosfeer.
|
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Energie (exacte wetenschappen)
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Energiebronnen.
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Energieverbruik.
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Ressources naturelles -- Aspect social.
|
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Énergie de la biomasse -- Aspect social.
|
| Other Form: |
Print version: Smil, Vaclav. Energy in nature and society. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, ©2008 9780262693561 (DLC) 2007002801 (OCoLC)80359863 |
| ISBN |
0262297027 (electronic book) |
|
9780262297028 (electronic book) |
|
1282100726 |
|
9781282100725 |
|
9780262693561 |
|
0262693569 |
|
9780262195652 |
|
0262195658 |
|
