Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America

This book was ordered in response to a specific request for one of my sons-in-law for his Nov. 30 birthday. He was absolutely thrilled to get it and plans to have it read by Christmas. And I was delighted with the speed of its arrival and the excellent condition it was in when I opened the box.

Hot topics, catchy presentation. Focused on the right problems. Fuzzy answers. But there's a users manual for Friedman's pep talk, if you really want to green America and fix the climate.

Friedman says we need a carbon tax or cap and trade. It makes a difference. And who get's the money--there's not a word about that. He says Nissan's customers made them favor tough mileage standards--not a chance. The standards work in their favor and against GM. That's why they like them. The design matters.

If you want to know what works and how it works, read Carbonomics: How to Fix the Climate and Charge It to OPEC. It packs far more substance and reads like an Op-Ed.

No new information in this book. Friedman took the title from the last book he wrote and extended it to one that appears to love the earth.

Mr. Friedman does an excellent job of describing the problem. He also leaves no doubt about the urgent need for a solution. He discusses many viable renewable energy sources, but recognizes the need for a reliable robust clean long term 'renewable' energy source to the provide the US and the world with with the base load energy production not provded by wind or solar.
The world lucked out because fast neutron nuclear reactors are technically ready for deployment after a pilot plan is operated to optimize the design. These reactors will be very different from the reactors in operation today.
For fuel they will use the spent fuel from the light water reactors used today---the material now called 'waste' and destined to be stored for 10,000 years in some mountain. The residue or so called waste from these new advanced reactors needs to be stored for only 300 years. The Uranium fuel burned in such a ractor would last as one scientist put it "Until the sun engulfs the earth". I therefore call this energy source renewable as it will last as long as other so called renewables.
Make no mistake about it, these reactors are inevitable and the only energy source that can provide the massive amouts of energy required by a world inhabited by 9-10 billion people. Other renewables will all play a role but none are capable of providing a reliable base load.
This is thoroughly discussed in my book "Beyond Fossil Fools, The Roadmap to energy Independence by 2140" and in Mr. Tom Blees' fine book "Prescription for the Planet" These two books are complimentary to Mr. Friedman's book in that they bring forth a solution called for in his book. Both books are availble on Amazon.
Two books

Thomas L. Friedman's new book, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" is an excellent read for every one interested in the future of planet Earth. Friedman draws connections between different topics which make one realize the need to protect this wonderful resource, Earth, which we inhabit. "Hot" is in reference to global warming. "Flat" implies how the world is becoming smaller; primarily the internet and transportation. "Crowded" refers to human over population of the earth. Friedman shows the strong connection between technology and the progression of the human race. Throughout time, there has always been enough resources to foster the development of new technologies. However, due to the over population of this planet, and the demands of that population, our resources are dwindling. Friedman's philosophy insists that when we create new products, we intend for them to be recycled therefore reducing the need for the consumption of our natural resources for every new product. We need to act NOW to protect our home so future generations can appreciate what we had the opportunity to enjoy, mother earth.