Energy in Nature and Society: General Energetics of Complex Systems (The MIT Press)

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. Vaclav Smil. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [401]-459) And Indexes.