Energy, the Great Driver

Book excerpt: 1. Energy, the Great Driver takes a very broad perspective on life both in relation to time span [4 billion years], and subject areas/disciplines. The latter range from physics through biology to anthropology, agricultural science, sociology and behavioural psychology to economics. 2. The book seeks to explore common cross-disciplinary threads and the integration of our understanding not its atomization. Jones suggests some threads which run though biological and human history over the billennia and narrative which underpins much of planetary life. 3. It reinforces the importance of the seven revolution i.e. energising human society while drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But it offers a new perspective on our reluctance to do so. 4. Although many of the conclusions appear gloomy, the book asserts that a recognition of the underlying problems and trends is the beginning of wisdom and a new relationship with energy can enhance human well-being and our interaction with the rest of the natural world.