"Sustainable Energy and Environment: An Earth System Approach provides a holistic understanding of Earth, energy, and the environment through a careful selection of invited chapters. The book looks at Earth from the perspective of a livable planet and elaborates the surface and subsurface processes and the various energy cycles where energy is transformed and stored in the planet's various spheres. The chapters discuss the interactions between the different parts of Earth-how energy is exchanged between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere, and how they impact the environment in which we live. Beginning with an introduction that highlights the strong nexus between Earth, energy, and environment through connectivity and interactivity of natural processes that influence the sustainability of life, the book goes on to discuss Earth in particular-its origin and evolution, its surfaces and rock-forming processes, in the context of past climates, climate changes, and influencing planetary cycles. The volume then focuses on energy-its fundamentals and its various forms. The authors cover conventional and unconventional fossil fuels and renewables and the aspects of energy availability and economics. The fact that energy is central to life and its activities is elaborated in the included chapters. This section reinforces the connection between different energy forms with Earth's surface and subsurface processes. The final section examines the environment- its impact on human health and well-being, climate change and resulting environmental impacts, environmental disasters from exploration, production and usage of energy, and balancing energy usage and its environmental impacts. This holistic approach to the integrated science of earth, energy and environment provides a comprehensive and all-around understanding of the complex planet that is home to mankind. The book is particularly intended for those studying introductory earth sciences, energy fundamentals, and environmental studies. At the same time students in related disciplines, such as ecology, agriculture, petroleum and gas-and indeed all those are interested in Earth, environment, and energy-should find this book as an inviting basic introduction to the interconnectedness of Earth, energy, and the environment. Some of the concepts that are introduced go beyond the general scope of basic courses, making the volume also suitable for more advanced studies. Key features: Presents the fundamentals of Earth as a system along with its processes and evolutionary history Explores perspectives of energy mineral resources and their present and future potential Describes environmental impacts of anthropogenic energy harvesting and its uses through examples and case studies"-- Read more...
