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Joe Kaplinsky, author of Energise, in conversation with Peter Martin. 

May 2009

Energise at Manchester Salon

About the book:

Energise looks at why the future of energy has become so fraught and puts the case for an alternative. At a time when the debate is dominated by calls for us all to cut back and reduce our carbon footprint, Energise makes the case for an expansion of supply. Instead of trying to conserve our way out of our problems we need the innovation and investment capable of building up a new energy infrastructure.

The book looks at the prospects for different technologies - nuclear, fossil fuels and renewables, and explains why each has become so contentious. The books builds on a soild but accessible technical analysis. But in each case it looks beyond the technology to take apart the political myths that are holding back energy today, ranging from the association of oil and war, to nuclear risks, to the idea that we are all greedy consumers addicted to energy consumption.

Energise puts the energy problems, with special attention to climate change, in perspective. Rather than be overwhelmed by the difficulties it argues that generating more energy will help empower humans to build a better world.

 

Questions to consider

  • What are the cultural barriers to innovation in energy technology?
  • Is Energ!se a recipe for increased state intervention?
  • What’s driving Obama’s new US energy policy?
  • Why does public opinion appear to be against more nuclear and astronomicals?

 

Further Readings to consider

Joe Kaplinsky talking about nuclear fission and fusion: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2698144/chill_out_desk_nuclear_fusion_fission/

James Woudhuysen on nuclear and tidal energy: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/6611/ and http://www.nce.co.uk/the-severn-barrage-calling-greens-bluff/1967356.article

 

This DIUS website outlines the UK government’s investment strategy in energy: http://www.dius.gov.uk/partner_organisations/office_for_science/science_in_government/key_issues/energy.aspx

 

Energy is one of the highlighted areas of UK government research spending, an overview is here: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchHighlights/Energy/default.htm

 

The US government has a whole department of energy: http://www.energy.gov/