This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book focuses on the global cycles of
energy water and carbon which are not only the essentials of our main energy carriers the
fossil fuels but are also the building blocks of life. The book offers an overview of the
basic scientific facts and relationships that are needed to understand today's energy
generation and use how they relate to global climate the water cycle and other resources and
the complexities of energy policy. Building on the work of the Desertec project it presents
the main technological options that we will have in a world after the Energiewende and presents
the possible future solutions for a sustainable world. The book is written in an engaging
descriptive style that can be understood by those without specific knowledge of science or
economics and allows readers to form their own conclusions. Controversy rages over energy
problems climate change and their possible solutions. Expressions like climate deniers
renaissance of nuclear energy stop the war on coal and Energiewende now represent a diversity
of opinions that divide our society and political leaders. This book shows the reader the whole
energy picture and how it is part of the wider global problems of overpopulation and
uncontrolled economies in a world of limited resources.
