What Is Lester R. Brown´s The Great Transition?

Over the last few decades our world has seen a migration or a swift transition, if you will, from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. The book, The Great Transition, by Lester R. Brown, is an account of that very change our world has seen with respect to the global energy revolution. The book details the shift in philosophy different countries have embraced over the years, going from the conventional oil, nuclear power and coal to the less conventional and more exciting renewable energies. As the world tries to shift away from the use of fossil fuels due to the ongoing increase in pollution and impending climate changes new ways to minimize the impact on our environment are continuously being created. However, these changes cannot
The book mentions that air pollution from coal-fired power plants is estimated to cause more than 13,000 premature deaths each year. Coal pollution is implicated in causing thousands of heart and asthma attacks. Coal power generation is the leading source of carbon dioxide emissions. The other dirty side of this “power generation coin” is nuclear power. The process itself, when regulated and maintained correctly, is quite safe. Incidents like the 1986 Chernobyl plant meltdown and the incident mentioned in this book, the 2011 Fukushima Accident caused by the tsunami can have disastrous consequences. So what can be attributed to the closing of coal plants and the decline in construction of nuclear power plants? Well, the price of natural gas, which by the way is a cleaner form of power generation, has been linked to the decline in coal usage. Air pollution regulations are becoming stricter across the world. Needless to say, the initial costs of constructing a nuclear power plant are enormous and the strict regulations that govern the storage, operation and waste disposal of materials can be powerful deterrents. Not to mention that the Fukushima experience has caused widespread public opposition to nuclear power in Japan (Brown 2015), and in my opinion around the world as well. Renewable Energies The solar and wind revolution is upon us, along with tapping the wind, earth’s heat and using the power of water to create energy. These renewable energies are becoming more accessible and efficient. Solar cells (solar photovoltaics/PV) have come a long way since 1954. At first they powered satellites and now they can provide power to common households and in the very near future automobiles. Many countries around the world are investing on solar power technology and its paying off. Consumers are able to purchase these solar panels cheaper, according to the book,