Sustainable energy

New Zealand is an economically developed country. As such, we use a lot of energy. Since we are a party to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, we need to stabilise carbon dioxide emissions at their 1990 levels by the year 2000. This means reducing our present dependence on fossil fuels. If we wish to maintain or increase our present standard of living, we will need to adopt a sustainable energy policy. If we wish to avoid the unpleasant effects of global warming, we cannot leave the matter to other countries to sort out. This book looks at our options for sustainable energy right now. It reviews the present state of energy sources which can be used to heat our homes, drive our transport systems and power our industries - such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, tidal, wave and ocean thermal. Sustainable Energy is presented in a format and style that makes it accessible to the general reader as well as to senior secondary schools. It couples clear thinking with easily understood technical information, and is illustrated with photographs, drawings, tables, and diagrams.