Environmental Technologies

The grid is an accident of history and of culture, in no way intrinsic to how we produce, deliver and consume electrical power. Yet this is the system the United States ended up with, a jerry-built structure now so rickety and near collapse that a strong wind or a hot day can bring it to a grinding halt. The grid is now under threat from a new source: renewable and variable energy, which puts stress on its logics as much as its components.

The world needs to turn away from fossil fuels and use clean, renewable sources of energy as soon as we can. Failure to do so will cause catastrophic climate damage sooner than you might think, leading to loss of biodiversity and economic and political instability. But all is not lost! We still have time to save the planet without resorting to 'miracle' technologies. We need to wave goodbye to outdated technologies, such as natural gas and carbon capture, and repurpose the technologies that we already have at our disposal.

In the midst of spiraling ecological devastation, multispecies feminist theorist Donna J. Haraway offers provocative new ways to reconfigure our relations to the earth and all its inhabitants. She eschews referring to our current epoch as the Anthropocene, preferring to conceptualize it as what she calls the Chthulucene, as it more aptly and fully describes our epoch as one in which the human and nonhuman are inextricably linked in tentacular practices.

Today’s UV Index: Lethal Deep inside the sun, magnetic lines of force are growing…building in ways not experienced for a millennium. When a pair of increasingly severe solar storms disables internet, communications, and GPS for millions around the globe, helioseismologist Greyson Finn fears the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic super flare, a magnetic explosion of the sun with the potential to obliterate life on earth. In a desperate bid to help the world prepare, Finn and his fellow scientists rush to address the critical question: will the solar weather subside, or is the worst yet to...

In this hilarious, "dazzling" romp, a foul-mouthed crow is humanity's only chance to survive a zombie apocalypse–think Watership Down meets Dawn of the Dead (Mona Awad, author of Bunny). S.T. is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his human owner, Big Jim, trading insults with...

Read by Peter Kenny, award-winning narrator of the Culture series by Iain M. Banks. In a ravaged near-future England, a private detective with psychic powers might be the last hope standing between mankind and total collapse. Mindstar Rising is the first cyberpunk thriller in Peter F. Hamilton's...

In this stunning follow-up to Hollow Kingdom, the animal kingdom's "favorite apocalyptic hero"is back with a renewed sense of hope for humanity, ready to take on a world ravaged by a viral pandemic (Helen Macdonald). Once upon an apocalypse, there lived an obscenely handsome American crow named...

Discover the incredible potential of solar energy with the compelling new eBook, How Solar Panels Work. This comprehensive guide illuminates the fascinating world of solar technology, providing readers with a deep understanding of how sunlight transforms into the electricity powering our everyday lives. Begin your journey with an introduction to solar panels, where you'll learn what they are, their historical evolution, and why they matter in today's energy landscape. Dive into the science behind these marvels with an exploration of light, photons, and the fundamentals of photovoltaics, ...

Lithium, a crucial input in the batteries powering electric vehicles, has the potential to save the world from climate change. But even green solutions come at a cost. Mining lithium is environmentally destructive. We therefore confront a dilemma: Is it possible to save the world by harming it in the process? Having spent over a decade researching mining and oil sectors in Latin America, Thea Riofrancos is a leading voice on resource extraction. In Extraction, she draws on groundbreaking fieldwork on the global race for lithium.

Are you looking to improve your athletic performance and take your training to the next level? Look no further than The Science of Athletic Performance, the definitive guide to understanding the anatomy and physiology behind top-level athleticism. Written by renowned sports scientist Hadley Mannings, this book delves into the mechanisms of muscle force production, the role of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the energy systems at play during exercise. Mannings also explores the various types of training and the importance of periodization, as well as the role of technology in...

From Geo Rutherford—the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over sixty-five million likes!)—comes this thrilling nonfiction book that plumbs the depths of twenty-five unusual lakes around the world. Listeners will learn not only about the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content, Spooky Lakes takes listeners on an adventure through weird and wild waters.

George Bird Grinnell, the son of a New York merchant, saw a different future for a nation in the thrall of the Industrial Age. With railroads scarring virgin lands and the formerly vast buffalo herds decimated, the country faced a crossroads: Could it pursue Manifest Destiny without destroying its natural bounty and beauty? The alarm that Grinnell sounded would spark America's conservation movement. Yet today his name has been forgotten - an omission that John Taliaferro's commanding biography now sets right with historical care and narrative flair.

Everyone knew it was crazy to try to extract oil and natural gas buried in shale rock deep below the ground. Everyone, that is, except a few reckless wildcatters - who risked their careers to prove the world wrong. Things looked grim for American energy in 2006. Oil production was in steep decline and natural gas was hard to find. The Iraq War threatened the nation’s already tenuous relations with the Middle East. China was rapidly industrializing and competing for resources.

Step into the untold tales and hidden corners of legal history with "Legal Curiosities," a comprehensive exploration of the most intriguing and unexpected facets of law that shape, challenge, and redefine our world. Embrace a unique intellectual adventure that embarks on a journey across ancient legal codes, uncovers laugh-inducing statutes that still hold sway, and descends into the fast-evolving realm where law meets cutting-edge technology. Imagine discovering laws so outlandish they seem fictional, and precedents so impactful they continue to influence modern jurisprudence. "Legal ...

Explore the untapped potential of the world's most intriguing elements in "Earth's Elements of Power." This compelling eBook delves into the critical role rare earth minerals play in our modern society and their significant impact on global politics and technology. From the smartphones in our hands to the electric vehicles on our roads, rare earth elements are the unsung heroes driving technological advancement and economic power. Journey through the history and science of these vital resources, uncovering their geological roots and marveling at the complex extraction and processing ...

Unlock the power of the sun with Solar Power Demystified, your comprehensive guide to mastering rooftop solar panels and harnessing renewable energy for your home. Dive into an informative journey that demystifies the world of solar energy, providing everything you need to know from the basics to the advanced. Start with a solid foundation in Chapter 1, where you'll learn about the numerous benefits of going solar, understand key efficiency metrics, and familiarize yourself with essential solar panel terminology. Explore the different types of rooftop solar panels in Chapter 2, breaking ...

Contents with Page Numbers: 1 Introduction to the Mining Sector. 3 1.1 Definition and Importance of Mining.. 3 1.2 History of Mining.. 4 1.3 Overview of Mining Processes. 5 2 Types of Mining.. 6 2.1 Surface Mining.. 6 2.2 Underground Mining.. 7 2.3 Placer Mining.. 8 2.4 Mountaintop Removal Mining.. 9 3 Minerals and Resources. 10 3.1 Types of Minerals. 10 3.2 Mineral Extraction Processes. 11 3.3 Major Mining Resources Worldwide. 13 4 Mining Equipment and Technology. 14 4.1 Common Mining Equipment. 14 4.2 Technological Advances in Mining.. 15 4.3 Automation in the Mining Industry. 16 5 ...

Unlock the potential of renewable energy with The Future of Solar Technology. This comprehensive guide takes you on an enlightening journey through the rapid advancements and innovative strides in solar energy. From the humble beginnings of solar technology to the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future, this book provides a complete understanding of the dynamic and ever-evolving solar landscape. Dive into the fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) cells and explore the various types, efficiency improvements, and groundbreaking materials like silicon-based and perovskite solar cells. ...

A leading ecologist argues that if humankind is to survive on a fragile planet, we must understand and obey its iron laws Our species has amassed unprecedented knowledge of nature, which we have tried to use to seize control of life and bend the planet to our will. In A Natural History of the...

The Web of Life is a comprehensive guide to the world of ecology. This book delves into the intricate relationships that exist between all living things, from the tiniest microbes to the largest animals, and the impact that humans have on these relationships. The book begins by exploring the basics of ecology, including the different levels of organization within ecosystems, the flow of energy and nutrients, and the complex web of interactions between species. From there, the book examines the major biomes of the world, including deserts, grasslands, forests, and oceans, and the unique ...