Includes bibliographical references (p. [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 -- 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.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.