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Title details for Grand Transitions by Vaclav Smil - Available

Grand Transitions

by Vaclav Smil
ebook
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From one of the world's leading experts on the history of energy, a rigorous examination of the transitions that structure our modern world—and the environmental reckoning that will mark its success or failure. What makes the modern world work? The answer to this deceptively simple question lies in four "grand transitions" of civilization—in populations, agriculture, energy, and economics—which have transformed the way we live. Societies that have undergone all four transitions emerge into an era of radically different population dynamics, food surpluses (and waste), abundant energy use, and expanding economic opportunities. Simultaneously, in other parts of the world, hundreds of millions remain largely untouched by these developments. Through erudite storytelling, Vaclav Smil investigates the fascinating and complex interactions of these transitions. He argues that the moral imperative to share modernity's benefits has become more acute with increasing economic inequality, but addressing this imbalance would make it exceedingly difficult to implement the changes necessary for the long-term preservation of the environment. Thus, managing the fifth transition—environmental changes from natural-resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and global warming—will determine the success or eventual failure of the grand transitions that have made the world we live in today.
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Publisher: Oxford University Press

Kindle Book

  • Release date: February 12, 2021

OverDrive Read

  • ISBN: 9780190060688
  • Release date: February 12, 2021

EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9780190060688
  • File size: 16870 KB
  • Release date: February 12, 2021
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Kindle Book
OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook

subjects

Business Nature Nonfiction

Languages

English

From one of the world's leading experts on the history of energy, a rigorous examination of the transitions that structure our modern world—and the environmental reckoning that will mark its success or failure. What makes the modern world work? The answer to this deceptively simple question lies in four "grand transitions" of civilization—in populations, agriculture, energy, and economics—which have transformed the way we live. Societies that have undergone all four transitions emerge into an era of radically different population dynamics, food surpluses (and waste), abundant energy use, and expanding economic opportunities. Simultaneously, in other parts of the world, hundreds of millions remain largely untouched by these developments. Through erudite storytelling, Vaclav Smil investigates the fascinating and complex interactions of these transitions. He argues that the moral imperative to share modernity's benefits has become more acute with increasing economic inequality, but addressing this imbalance would make it exceedingly difficult to implement the changes necessary for the long-term preservation of the environment. Thus, managing the fifth transition—environmental changes from natural-resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and global warming—will determine the success or eventual failure of the grand transitions that have made the world we live in today.
Expand title description text
Business Nature Nonfiction
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