Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines

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Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines

4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 · rating details · 64 ratings · 15 reviews

The near-meltdown of
Fukushima, the upheavals in the Middle East, the BP oil rig explosion, and the
looming reality of global warming have reminded the president and all U.S.
citizens that nothing has more impact on our lives than the supply of and
demand for energy. Its procurement dominates our economy and foreign policy
more than any other factor. But the “energy question” i...more

Hardcover, 350 pages

Published August 6th 2012 by W. W. Norton & Company

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Feb 08, 2013 Ralph Hermansen rated it 5 of 5 stars

The name of the book is, "Energy for Future Presidents" written by Richard A Muller. I became aware of this important book while watching the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. Richard Muller was Rachel's guest and he was discussing his new book with her. This author had become a news item worth reporting on the show because he had changed from being a skeptic about global warming into a convinced scientist. He stated that global warming is real and that 99% of it is due to human causes. Moreover, the...more The name of the book is, "Energy for Future Presidents" written by Richard A Muller. I became aware of this important book while watching the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. Richard Muller was Rachel's guest and he was discussing his new book with her. This author had become a news item worth reporting on the show because he had changed from being a skeptic about global warming into a convinced scientist. He stated that global warming is real and that 99% of it is due to human causes. Moreover, there is an exact correlation with the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The author himself did not think he had changed his mind but had had an opportunity to thoroughly investigate the data on global warming in a scientific manner so that he could make an informed decision. Nonetheless, I think it is important that a renowned scientist has convinced himself that global warming is real. The controversy has become a political divide between Democrats and Republicans. It did not used to be that way. In fact, Republicans originally fostered the idea of " Cap and Trade". This concept had proven itself in solving the problem of acid rain due to coal fired generators. It allowed the free enterprise system to solve the problem in the most economical way. As of late however, it seems as though every Republican to a man swears that global warming is a hoax and a cap and trade is an onerous concept.

The book itself is a review of what scientists know about the energy problem not only in the United States but worldwide. In Part I of the book, entitled "Energy Catastrophes", Mr. Mueller discusses two recent energy disasters using a non-emotional analysis. One of the disasters is the tsunami in Japan that damaged the nuclear reactor site as well as homes and factories and human lives. He feels that the nuclear part of the disaster has been grossly overstated and he gives his reasons for that conclusion. Many people around the world wanted to completely disassociate themselves from nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster. However, Muller believes that nuclear energy is still a safe energy source and it is important that we not give up on it. He also discusses the Deep water Horizon accident in the gulf, which spurted oil into the sea for seemingly endless days. He also felt that the damage was grossly exaggerated and attempted put it in perspective. He felt the cleanup activities worked well.

In the third chapter, he discusses global warming and climate change. He provides enough background on the problem, that we can see its complexity, multiplicity of causes, cases of polar warming, sea level rise, and the difficulty in evaluating historical data.

In Part II of the book entitled "The Energy Landscape", he educates us regarding the different kinds of energy which include: natural gas, ocean methane, shale oil, etc. He also comments on recycled energy, energy security, fracking, liquid energy security and energy productivity. In Part III of the book entitled "Alternative Energy", discusses solar energy, photovoltaic cells, wind, energy storage, nuclear power, nuclear waste storage, fusion, biofuels, synfuels, hydrogen, geothermal, tidal power, and wave power. He also discusses electric automobiles in depth. Part IV entitled "What Is Energy?", Muller offers an optional chapter which would delight a physics major but is likely to lose the common reader. Part V entitled "Advice for Future Presidents", is a condensation of what was covered in the book previously and is directed to whoever the president might be in the future. The author has taken the view that a president cannot rely strictly on advice from his energy sector but must understand the basic concepts of energy technology so that combined with other considerations, can make the most intelligent decision.

Throughout the book, Muller has repeated his premise that natural gas the cheapest, most practical, most available, and most desirable form of energy available to the United States today. All other forms of energy should be compared to natural gas as a standard. Admittedly, it does generate carbon dioxide and water as byproducts of combustion. However, it is far cleaner than coal or oil. Moreover, United States has enormous reserves of natural gas which can be harvested by a process known as fracking. Muller advocates strong environmental laws with stiffer penalties governing this process of extraction because there are dangers to our drinking water and other resources.

Here are some of my personal thoughts as I read this book: overall the author did a good job of avoiding politics or being influenced by corporate interest. I didn't think so in the early chapters where he discussed the Gulf oil spill. He strongly stated that the dangers were over exaggerated. He may be right about that but I was bothered during the disaster by the lack of government oversight to this industry, the lack of preparedness by both the government and the industry to react to the disaster, and the smell of corporate greed throughout the whole affair. I learned a lot in reading this book, but I also had many preconceived ideas verified by the authors rigorous analysis. I agree with him that natural gas is the answer to many of our problems in the United States. It can free us from importing billions of dollars worth of Arab oil and free us from military and diplomatic activities in that region. It is very inexpensive and is likely to stay that way as the fracking activities expand. The author seems confident that adequate regulations and protect us from the hazards of fracking. I do not have the same faith in our Government as it switches back and forth between Democratic and Republican Administrations. The D's institute regulations and the R's undo them once again in power. The Republican presidential candidates in their 2012 debates wanted to do away with the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the only tool available to control natural gas production activities. Muller also strongly advocates more nuclear power facilities, especially those with the modern designs, which make them safe to operate. However he said little about terrorists activities at these sites. In my opinion, they would be prime targets for terrorists. I do not think there is a danger of a nuclear explosion, but explosives could be used to blow radioactive material into the atmosphere and contaminate wide area.

Do I recommend this book to you? The answer is yes because I believe we all should be informed citizens in a democratic society so that we can vote intelligently and so that we can guide public opinion towards practical solutions to important problems. The author is very knowledgeable and is definitely an expert on the topic of this book. Moreover, it is obvious to me that he has worked very hard to make these complex concepts understandable to the common man and specifically to future presidents.

Ralph Hermansen, August 12, 2012 (less)

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Aug 03, 2012 Jorge rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science

Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines by Richard A. Muller

"Energy for Future Presidents" is the educational, informative and accessible book on energy. The book covers popular topics on energy: energy disasters, energy landscape (modes of transportation), and "new" technologies. Professor of physics and author, Richard A. Muller, succeeds in providing the public a wonderful topical book that covers the most important topics on energy. The author uses a cleaver approach i...more

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Oct 03, 2012 John Wyss rated it 1 of 5 stars

The first chapter was good, had some interesting points about fukushima and presented some actual scientific evidence. I would have kept reading but the next chapter on the gulf oil spill was absurd. The primary evidence the author cited that for the spill not being as bad as it was made out to be, was a study done by BP. Seriously? How I am supposed to take that seriously? I stopped reading at that point.

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Mar 24, 2013 Alvin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Superb. I was a fan of physics for future presidents and I think this book is even better. There is objective analysis of the economics of our various energy sources and a sobering look at how the future of global warming is almost entirely in the hands of the developing world (China in particular).

Highly recommended as an accessible, fascinating read into the present and future energy landscape.

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Sep 20, 2012 Ira Brodsky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Very interesting and relatively non-technical survey of energy solutions. Though Muller famously changed his mind about global warming, I'm not sure he chnaged his mind all that much. The book's greatest asset is that it provides a fair and realistic assessment of different solutions, revealing what's real, what's hype, and what's exaggerated.

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Feb 14, 2013 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

My full review is here: http://berc.berkeley.edu/dr-richard-m...

It's well written. Many will disagree with his thoughts on EV's and natural gas though. He is very pro-nuclear, but his arguments are very convincing, I have to admit.

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Feb 17, 2013 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Helpful book. I'd also recommend reading "Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air" ( http://www.withouthotair.com/) for a similar physical perspective (with detailed calculations and so on) but coming to slightly different conclusions.

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Dec 17, 2012 Alex rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just as good as "Physics for future presidents: the science behind the headlines". Presents clear ideas in perfect ways.
One problem: no bibliography.

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Nov 07, 2012 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: energy

As an environmentalist, Muller challenged my views and simplified many issues regarding energy today. His perspective is invaluable and proves all points with facts and statistics. This is a must read for anyone remotely concerned with the world's energy supply today. On a side note, I was recommended this by another physicist.

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May 17, 2013 Mills College Library is currently reading it

Shelves: may-2012, weekly-05-17-2013

333.79 M9588 2012

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Dec 04, 2012 Jeremy Freund rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very informative, providing a fresh pragmatic approach to energy resources while debunking some myths of the environmental movement. I felt more accurately informed after reading this book.

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Dec 09, 2012 Stefan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended. Offers a nuanced run-through of the major energy issues facing the world. Energy science and policy aren't black and white simple, but rather complex and Muller describes them well.

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Oct 01, 2012 Julie is currently reading it

Shelves: first-reads

Won this in the Goodreads giveaways

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May 06, 2013 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Before you buy a battery only car... read this book.

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Aug 05, 2012 Justreadin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nice follow-up to the last book.

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May 11, 2013 Steve rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ui-lib

May 10, 2013 Heath Cazeau rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Apr 27, 2013 Donald Billings rated it 5 of 5 stars

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May 14, 2013 Mara Jacobs rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Shelves: canon, essentials, sure, studies

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About Richard A. Muller

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Richard A. Muller is professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a past winner of the MacArthur Fellowship. His book Physics for Future Presidents is based on his renowned course for non-science students. He lives in Berkeley, California.

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Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines

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