Energy
Engine of Evolution
- 1st Edition - September 15, 2005
- Author: Frank Niele
- Language: English
- Hardback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 4 - 5 1 8 8 6 - 6
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 0 8 - 0 4 5 9 0 3 - 5
Energy: Engine of Evolution is a compelling book that provides a compact history of energy over the last four billion years, with the aim of creating a sound basis to unders… Read more
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Request a sales quoteEnergy: Engine of Evolution is a compelling book that provides a compact history of energy over the last four billion years, with the aim of creating a sound basis to understanding the possible futures of the energy industry. It describes the role that energy has played in the evolution of nature and culture, the impact it has had on the world over time and the implications that we are faced with concerning the role of energy in the future. This book describes the relationship between life and energy through time, outlining how the major revolutions in the evolution of life on earth were driven by developments at the energy frontiers. Energy: Engine of Evolution states that we are on the verge of the next energy revolution, where we will learn how to master new energy forms in a new way. As a result of years of research and discussions by leading experts in the oil and gas industry, this publication offers inspiring insights and examples of new approaches to technological and evolutionary developments, paving the way towards a more sustainable future.
* Provides evolutionary insight * Introduces an Energy Time Scale that shows key relationships between energy and the history of planet Earth* Contains exciting examples of new approaches to sustainable development
This publication is recommended to a broad audience with an interest in sustainable development, energy, evolution and the environment including researchers, government agencies, business professionals, as well as socially engaged intellectuals.
PART I. THE FIRST FIVE ENERGY REVOLUTIONS -a time journey through the history of life- Chapter 1. The Photo-Energy Revolution The origin of life The origin of sunlight The origin of planet Earth The origin of the living cell The Thermophilic Regime Photosynthesis and free oxygen The origin of photosynthesis Sunlight-driven energy technology The Phototropic Regime And the face of the earth changed Two grand carbon cycles The self-inflicted crisis Chapter 2. The Oxo-Energy Revolution The origin of aerobic respiration The origin of breathable air Global oxygen crisis Aerobic respiration Oxygen-driven energy technology Microbial symbiosis The origin of the eukaryotic cell designThe microbial energy majors The Aerobic Regime Biological diversification Ecological growth And the face of the earth changed The changing landscape Competition and adaptation Chapter 3. The Pyro-Energy RevolutionThe origin of hominidsIt needed a crisisThe origin of human cultureThe quest for the human advantageMan the fire masterThe human advantageThe origin of fireActive use of fireThe Pyrocultural Regime Societal metabolismThe Symbolisational Signal And the face of the earth changedA changing lifestyleAnd life changed the landChapter 4. The Agro-Energy RevolutionMan the solar farmerThe Agricultural RevolutionThe forces that shaped the revolutionThe Agrocultural RegimeThe emergence of competing energy chainsA new reality emergesThe Quantificational Signal The Scientific RevolutionAnd the face of the earth changedFrom farms to nation statesThe growing human footprintChapter 5. The Carbo-Energy RevolutionHydrocarbon Man The agrocultural energy crisisThe dawn of ancient sunlight The Carbocultural Regime The Carbian ExplosionAn explosion of competing energy chainsElectric energy as information carrier Carbocultural, non-fossil energy chains Sensitive scientific sensesAnd the face of the earth changedThe surging human footprintFrom fire master to fire addictPART II. THE NEXT ENERGY REVOLUTION-evolutionary energetics, models and scenarios-Chapter 6. The Staircase of Energy Regimes Energy regimesThe foundation of the Staircase modelThe rise and fall of complexityThe evolution of informationGenerating information From genes to memes and artefactsSocio-technological developmentThe rhythm of societal developmentThe pushes and pulls of progressThe evolution of system earthChapter 7. The Emerging Helio-Energy RevolutionSigns of a coming energy revolutionThe Macroscopical SignalTwo perceptions of reality Leaving Carbon ValleyNuclear ValleyGreen ValleySustainable developmentLimits to nuclearLimits to greenThe next energy revolutionSymbian ManThe Helio-Energy RevolutionSocio-metabolic complexesAnd the face of the earth will change
- No. of pages: 214
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: September 15, 2005
- Imprint: Elsevier Science
- Hardback ISBN: 9780444518866
- eBook ISBN: 9780080459035
FN
Frank Niele
Affiliations and expertise
Shell Global Solutions International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands