Rating: **** 4 stars

Christiane Dorion,
Are We Running Out of Energy?
Franklin Watts, 2008.

Non-Fiction

Ages 10 - 14

This addition to a series on ‘Global Questions’ lists the means of human production of energy, including fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables, and the purposes of its consumption, with due attention to historical development and future prospects. It then gives an account of the implications of climate change and the possibilities of postponing it. The association between climate change deniers and the fossil fuel industry is pointed out. There is a nicely balanced account of the advantages and difficulties of nuclear power. The distinctive problems of people in poor countries are made clear. Opposing views on energy are presented in ‘What do you think?’ boxes. The book concludes with a ‘What can you do to help?’ chapter on reduction of individual consumption, illuminated by a box presenting the opposing views of Al Gore and George Monbiot on the adequacy of individual action. There are an Index, a Glossary and some references to Further information, mostly websites.

Felix Pirani
July 2009, No. 177

Guide to the rating system:
***** 5 stars, unmissable
**** 4 stars, very good
*** 3 stars, good
** 2 stars, fair
* 1 star, poor