Steel and cementthe essential substrate of energy equipment and citiesrequire coal or, even worse. The corollary is that the environmentalist community opposes developing counties building facilities to provide their poverty level citizens with cheap, affordable energy and. Epstein is also the new york times bestselling author of the moral case for fossil fuels 2014, in which he advocates the use of fossil fuels. Once an oil executive, now a crusader against fossil fuel. Pollution from fossil fuels the burning of fossil fuels causes pollution that affects health and the environment. Listen to unlimited audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Anyone who is seriously interested in the climate change debate should read the moral case for fossil fuels.
Nov 20, 2014 the moral case for fossil fuels has the power to convince openminded readers and maybe open some closed minds about the exciting utility of oftcriticized oil, natural gas, coal, and hybrids therein. Energy philosopher alex epstein, author of the moral case for fossil fuels, challenges conventional wisdom about the fossil fuel industry and argues that if we look. How every measure of human wellbeing, from life expectancy to clean water to climate safety, keeps. The chemical energy within them is a kind of stored sunlight originally accumulated by ancient plants. Climate change is corroding our values, says naomi klein this article is more than 3 years old the need for fossil fuels is destroying regions and communities, causing war and famine in the. Nov 12, 2014 alex epsteins the moral case for fossil fuels may make your blood boil, but his cool reason and cold, hard facts will lead us beyond hysterics to a much better future. When they are burned, fossil fuels release substances that contribute to climate change and cause pollution. To most environmental activists, many of my students and some of my colleagues, life before the era of carbon fuel pollution was somewhat similar to the idyllic and carefree existence of the hobbits. The explanation, energy expert alex epstein argues in the moral case for fossil fuels, is that we usually hear only one side of the story. What do people think about alex epsteins new book the moral. Popular fossil fuels books meet your next favorite book. I agree, i would have replied, but i think the evidence shows that climate change, natural or manmade, is more manageable than ever, because human beings are so good at adapting, using ingenuity and technology.
Dec 10, 2014 they give us life, as alex epstein shows in his new book, the moral case for fossil fuels. This book shows that it is now possible to take the first step toward the postfossil fuel era, by resisting the slow violence of extreme extraction and combustion. The book was a new york times and wall street journal bestseller. Although virtually everyone battling the anthropogenic global warming delusion takes a defensive position with regard to the worlds use of. He is the founder and president of the center for industrial. Alex epsteins the moral case for fossil fuels may make your blood boil, but his cool reason and cold, hard facts will lead us beyond hysterics to a much better future. Climate change is corroding our values, says naomi klein. Peter thiel, technology entrepreneur and investor if you want to see the power of fine logic, fine writing, and fine research, read epstein s book. Chemistry of fossil fuels and biofuels by harold schobert. How opposition to fossil fuels hurts the poor most of all.
The paperback of the fossil fuels improve the planet by alex j. Show your loveshare the loveor learn to lovewith the i love fossil fuels campaign by center for industrial. Based on meticulous research and backed up with solid facts, epstein makes the case that fossil fuelscoal, oil, and natural gashave tremendous positive impact on human life. Fossil fuels are way more expensive than you think dana. The moral case for fossil fuels is a 2014 book by american energy theorist alex epstein, in which the author argues that, although sometimes labeled as. Theres an unlimited amount of information in the world and theres never been more good information and theres. The moral case for fossil fuels by epstein, alex ebook. The book is, at its core, basically equivalent to the moral case for increased human energy usage as a method increasing human wellbeing and decreasing human misery. How did you go about researching such a complex topic as fossil fuel use. Under his instructions, the city of new york has filed a historic, multibillion dollar lawsuit against the worlds five largest, publicly traded, fossil fuel producers bp, chevron, conocophillips, exxon mobil and royal dutch shell whom it claims are both quantitatively and. Importantly, using fossil fuels is a moral decision in that their benefits to humanity outweigh any of todays. The moral case for fossil fuels by alex epstein audiobook. Out here in the utah desert, we are hoping to tap into the energy that is powering the movement to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
Opposition to fossil fuels hurts the poor most of all. Solar energy and biofuels have found similarly wide applications. The moral case for fossil fuels by alex epstein official book. Here, in a sentence, is the moral case for fossil fuels, the single thought that can empower us to empower the world. In the moral case for fossil fuels, author alex epstein explores the benefits of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil. It is false that we are making the underdeveloped world more vulnerable to climate disaster. Alex epstein likes brazilian jujitsu a lot and mentions it on two separate occasions which wouldnt be a big deal, except this is a very trim little book at barely more than 200 pages. Alex epstein s the moral case for fossil fuels may make your blood boil, but his cool reason and cold, hard facts will lead us beyond hysterics to a much better future. We are bombarded daily with green propaganda and it is refreshing to finally have a clear, thoughtful, comprehensive, and moral case for why to use fossil fuels be presented in such a logical and understandable format. What are the environmental consequences of using fossil energy sources such as coal, oil and gas.
The reader will come away with a deeper understanding of fossil fuels and a greater appreciations for the people behind the fossil fuel industries. Consequences of fossil fuel use 3 warren hills regional. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable energy sources that were formed hundreds of millions of years ago, even before there were any dinosaurs. The abundance and geographic diversity of fossil fuels made possible by technology in time will reduce the dependence of the u. The moral case for fossil fuels could everything we know.
For decades, environmentalists have been telling us that fossil fuels are going to destroy our planet. The moral case for fossil fuels has the power to convince openminded readers and maybe open some closed minds about the exciting utility of oftcriticized oil, natural gas, coal, and hybrids therein. They went on to say that its overall argument was powerful, systematic, and. Figures and data from the moral case for fossil fuels by alex epstein. They give us life, as alex epstein shows in his new book, the moral case for fossil fuels. The moral case for fossil fuels hardcover november, 2014. Opinion keeping my fossil fuel in the ground the new. The iea reports that the stagnation in carbon pollution stemmed from a transition away from fossil fuels rather than a drop in energy use due. But alex is interested in the other side of the story. The book outlines the dramatic and positive effects using such fuels has had on society and examines the many myths associated with fossil fuels. This book will challenge everything that you have believed so far about fossil fuels, global warming and climate change. Through hard facts that were conveniently hidden from us, and through excellent logical analysis exposing the faulty way of thinking that has been embedded into our minds from so long. In his new book, the moral case for fossil fuels, alex epstein makes one of the most compelling arguments for the moral value of fossil fuels and the need to increase their use that we have ever read. The moral case for fossil fuels is a truly remarkable compendium that clearly explains why climate scientists should not be trusted.
Coal, oil and gas are called fossil fuels, because they are mostly made of the fossil remains of beings from long ago. I founded the center for industrial progress, debated bill mckibben in 2012, and wrote my book the moral case for fossil fuels to argue that fossil fuels have not only drastically improved life here on earth, but that we are morally obligated to continue to develop and spread these sources of energy. Nov, 2014 the explanation, energy expert alex epstein argues in the moral case for fossil fuels, is that we usually hear only one side of the story. Mar 18, 2015 fossil fuels are way more expensive than you think. Why shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives. The palgrave handbook of managing fossil fuels and energy.
As fossil fuels become more scarce and expensive, international conflict over remaining supplies, especially of oil and gas, is likely to become more heateda trend already clear in the south. Dec 08, 2016 but last year, state street started an exchangetraded fund that excludes fossil fuels from the s. Really enjoyed this book for its clear thinking and excellent arguments. Ultimately, the conclusion became my book, the moral case for fossil fuels. The moral case for fossil fuels is a 2014 book by american energy theorist alex epstein, in which the author argues that, although sometimes labeled as immoral, the use of fossil fuels dramatically improves the overall progress of humanity, and improves life expectancy and income. Sep 18, 2017 todays episode is with alex epstein, author of the moral case for fossil fuels. Alex epstein is the author of the new york times bestselling book the moral case for fossil fuels and an expert on energy and industrial policy. His book the moral case for fossil fuels became a new york times bestseller and was widely praised, winning him the most original thinker of 2014 award from the mclaughlin group. Fossil fuels are way more expensive than you think. There is no moral case for fossil fuels, just as there was no moral case for slavery in 1860. The moral case for fossil fuels by alex epstein official. This website is meant to provide highresolution images from the figures in the book and where possible numerical data which makes it possible for the interested individual to recreate the figures. Were taught to think only of the negatives of fossil fuels, their risks and side effects, but not their positivestheir unique ability to provide cheap, reliable energy for a world of seven billion people. Fossil fuels and associated greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to a level that avoids.
We are taught to think only of the negatives of fossil fuels, not their. Jan 14, 2015 opposition to fossil fuels hurts the poor most of all. My name is alex epstein and i am a writer who has contributed to forbes, the wall street journal, investors business daily, and others and i believe that much of the rhetoric surrounding environmentalism has done the world a great deal of harm i founded the center for industrial progress, debated bill mckibben in 2012, and wrote my book the moral case for fossil fuels to argue that fossil. Because if we dont refute that idea, we accept it, and if we accept that fossil fuels are destroying the planet, the only logical conclusion is to cease new development and slow down existing development as much as possible. I came across this quote, along with many others of comparable value, while reading alex epsteins justpublished book, the moral case for fossil fuels. What do people think about alex epsteins new book the.
Thank you, epstein, i have never breathed cleaner air. Everything youve heard about fossil fuels may be wrong. Nov, 2014 the moral case for fossil fuels is a truly remarkable compendium that clearly explains why climate scientists should not be trusted. In my long career, it is simply the best popularmarket book. More and more people believe we must quickly wean ourselves from fossil fuels oil, natural gas and coal to save the planet from. This is the most objective and understandable book written to date on the cost and benefits of fossil fuels as measured by human flourishing.
The moral case for fossil fuels alexander joseph epstein. For decades, environmentalists have told us that using fossil fuels is a selfdestructive addiction that will destroy our planet. If there is only one book you need to read about energy renewable or otherwise, environment, climate change, and human welfare. Jan 28, 2015 how fossil fuels cleaned up our environment. The iea reports that the stagnation in carbon pollution stemmed from a transition away from. The endgame for fossil fuels updated by dieter helm isbn. In the moral case for fossil fuels energy expert alex epstein argues that we are only hearing one side of a critical story. Alex epstein is an energy philosopher who argues that human flourishing should be the guiding principle of industrial and environmental progress. The moral case for fossil fuels the key to winning hearts and minds by alex epstein founder, center for industrial progress author, fossil fuels improve the planet. The new books called the moral case for fossil fuels. The book was written in the fine tradition of those great benefactors of mankind, david and charles koch, who fund the center for industrial progress that employs epstein. Sustainable fossil fuels energy and materials research group.
In addition, the processes involved in obtaining and refining fuels can harm human health and the environment. If you want to see the power of fine logic, fine writing, and fine research, read epsteins book. The moral case for fossil fuels center for industrial. He is the founder and president of the center for industrial progress, a forprofit think tank located in san diego, california. But last year, state street started an exchangetraded fund that excludes fossil fuels from the s. Jan 08, 2015 in his new book, the moral case for fossil fuels, alex epstein makes one of the most compelling arguments for the moral value of fossil fuels and the need to increase their use that we have ever read.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Alex epstein has written an eloquent and powerful argument for using fossil fuels on moral grounds alone. The moral case for fossil fuels, book by alex epstein. One thing im pretty good at is the purposeful acquisition of knowledge. Alexs book makes a rational and convincing argument that the increased use of fossil fuels especially in underdeveloped countries will actually make the planet cleaner. This wellorganized, wellwritten, and factladen book is the product of mounting societal attention to the consequences of the the use of carbon fuels for global climate change an authoritative and detailed explication of the life history of fossil and renewable biofuels. Its a synthesis of pretty much what ive been obsessed with for the last seven years, which is understanding these fuels that we use everywhere, coal, oil, and natural gas, and yet are taught to hate. Listen to the moral case for fossil fuels by alex epstein for free with a 30 day free trial. Rising cost of fossil fuels and the coming energy crunch. Mankinds use of fossil fuels is supremely virtuousbecause human life is the standard of value, and because using fossil fuels transforms our environment to make it wonderful for human life. I am alex epstein and i just wrote a book called the. Once an oil executive, now a crusader against fossil fuel stocks. Making the moral case for fossil fuels renouncing oil and its byproducts would plunge civilization into a preindustrial hella fact developing countries keenly realize. Most importantly, we owe the fossil fuels companies an apology for making them feel bad.
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