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Crossing the Energy Divide
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Crossing the Energy Divide

Moving from Fossil Fuel Dependence to a Clean-Energy Future

Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres
Wharton School Publishing, 2009
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Editorial Rating

8

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  • Innovative

Recommendation

This book deserves widespread attention for its new arguments about how energy costs affect economic growth. Robert U. Ayres and Edward H. Ayres dispel dominant energy and economic myths. They espouse making better use of existing energy until alternatives become available in about 50 years’ time. The authors’ simple proposal is cheap to implement, and modeled on existing projects now underway worldwide. While the text can be repetitive, the book challenges conventional wisdom, and identifies the regulatory and policy impediments that hinder the implementation of new approaches. getAbstract recommends this book to those seeking to recharge the discussion about energy conservation, and to Americans who want to accelerate the U.S.’s energy independence.

Summary

Ending Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Despite all the claims that the United States is on the verge of a “green revolution,” the reality is that fossil fuels will remain America’s dominant energy source for at least two decades. While alternative sources of energy – solar, wind, biofuels and geothermal – have received an inordinate amount of publicity, they accounted for only 2.7% of the fuel that generated electric power in the U.S. in 2007.

Reaching full independence from fossil fuels could take up to 50 years. Meanwhile, by changing their fuel-use habits, Americans can decrease their dependence on fossil fuels. For example, improving the energy management practices of existing large-volume fossil fuel users and pollution emitters could double the amount of energy derived from a barrel of oil. In fact, undertaking these improvements could double the nation’s fuel efficiency from its current level of 13% without any additional technology or new fossil fuel sources, thus reducing emissions and increasing America’s energy independence. Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steel company, and U.S. Steel separately employ “co-generation”: systems that capture “waste blast-furnace...

About the Authors

Robert U. Ayres is Emeritus Professor of Economics, Political Science and Technology Management at INSEAD. He founded the Centre for the Management of Environmental Resources. Edward H. Ayres wrote God’s Last Offer: Negotiating for a Sustainable Future.

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