Could the race to de-carbonize our energy systems be leading us closer to environmental disaster?Why did biology choose carbon, in a variety of compounds, as its energy carrier and storage substance? From the smallest life forms, through multicellular organisms, and up to whole ecosystems, this economy of carbon compounds is fundamentally sustainable. Yet today, many are working to expunge carbon-based energy carriers from
human economies, replacing them with solutions based on other elements and minerals. In The Decarbonization Delusion, independent scientist and writer Andrew Moore shows that the race to decarbonize is leading us further
down the road to environmental degradation. Instead of banishing carbon, Moore argues that we should look to life on Earth, which has used carbon in highly sustainable ways for 3.5 billion years, as a model for how humans can use carbon sustainably.The Decarbonization Delusion begins by discussing carbon's role in the inception of the universe and its critical importance in biology. Moore identifies many intriguing features of biology's use of carbon that are
crucial to creating sustainable human economies on Earth. Throughout, Moore draws on extensive research and original calculations to disprove common fallacies about carbon-based energy carriers and their
alternatives. For example, he shows that the widely perceived superiority of battery technology over carbon-based fuels is, in most regards, a serious misconception that, if not corrected, could have grave environmental consequences.Politicians, industrial leaders, and even some scientists have contributed to the widespread belief that carbon should have no place in our energy economies. In The Decarbonization Delusion, Moore argues against this idea, asking us to
re-think our assumptions and approach sustainable energy development in a more scientific and dispassionate fashion.
Could the race to de-carbonize our energy systems be leading us closer to environmental disaster?Why did biology choose carbon, in a variety of compounds, as its energy carrier and storage substance? From the smallest life forms, through multicellular organisms, and up to whole ecosystems, this economy of carbon compounds is fundamentally sustainable. Yet today, many are working to expunge carbon-based energy carriers from
human economies, replacing them with solutions based on other elements and minerals. In The Decarbonization Delusion, independent scientist and writer Andrew Moore shows that the race to decarbonize is leading us further
down the road to environmental degradation. Instead of banishing carbon, Moore argues that we should look to life on Earth, which has used carbon in highly sustainable ways for 3.5 billion years, as a model for how humans can use carbon sustainably.The Decarbonization Delusion begins by discussing carbon's role in the inception of the universe and its critical importance in biology. Moore identifies many intriguing features of biology's use of carbon that are
crucial to creating sustainable human economies on Earth. Throughout, Moore draws on extensive research and original calculations to disprove common fallacies about carbon-based energy carriers and their
alternatives. For example, he shows that the widely perceived superiority of battery technology over carbon-based fuels is, in most regards, a serious misconception that, if not corrected, could have grave environmental consequences.Politicians, industrial leaders, and even some scientists have contributed to the widespread belief that carbon should have no place in our energy economies. In The Decarbonization Delusion, Moore argues against this idea, asking us to
re-think our assumptions and approach sustainable energy development in a more scientific and dispassionate fashion.
Andrew Moore is a freelance science writer and communications
advisor. Dr. Moore earned his PhD in biochemistry, molecular
biology, and protein structural studies through a joint program
between the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research
Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, UK. He was Editor-in-Chief
of the peer-reviewed journal BioEssays for 13 years (2008 to 2021),
and before that, a programme manager and editor at the
European Molecular Biology Organization (1999 to 2008).
n his new, exquisitely researched and brilliantly written book,
Andrew Moore tackles the topic of carbon, from every angle. He
doesn't lecture us on how bad the problem is (we know it's bad). He
informs us on the environmental, industrial and societal impact of
carbon in human existence through history and what avenues are open
to us to improve life on our planet, for those of us around today
and for those in coming generations. It is a must-read and a great
present for anyone with an interest in why our climate is changing,
what we can do about it, and what problems are the hardest en route
to making human existence net-carbon-neutral.
*William F. Martin, BioEssays*
Why Do I Consider the Book of Such Importance? Because it contains
a deep and thorough analysis of the unfolding climate crisis and
its implicit ecological impacts. Of even greater importance, it
comes up with superior policy recommendations that should inform
all of our debates about safeguarding any kind of future. One of
its many strengths is its "non-ideological" perspective: Moore
consistently follows where the best scientific analysis leads, both
in his examination and in his recommendations for the future.
*Dave Speijer, Chemistry Views*
This book, which has a strong biological base, is a very good read
for those interested in the policy issues of today.
*Professor Jim Lynch, The Biologist*
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