In the absence of motorized boats and gondolas, Venice's waters have returned to a sparkling blue color. Deer have been spotted roaming cities in Italy, and mountain goats recently took over a small seaside town in Wales. Taking advantage of the decreased boat traffic, whales have returned to roaming Vancouver's harbours. The absence of 'regular' human activities has dramatically affected our environment. In this book, Bob McDonald turns his focus to global energy sources, and shows how the global shutdowns may have been exactly what we needed to show us that a greener future is achievable. This is not another 'wake-up call,' and not another plea to heed the climate science. This is an exploration of the incredible technologies that our species can use to get out of the mess we've made for ourselves. It is a work of immense optimism, to counteract the sense of doom that hangs over most discussions of the environment. Many alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal have been available for decades - but they alone will not be enough. Additional power will come from small nuclear reactors the size of an office desk, and space-based solar power satellites with enormous mirrors that can capture sunlight, convert it to microwaves, and beam it to the ground to light up entire cities. Energy will be captured from waves, tides, and hydrogen. Vehicles will no longer have tailpipes that emit smog particles. Food will be sourced locally. Green technology is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, and will only continue to skyrocket as current products improve their performance and new products emerge. A new green age is upon us - let this book be your guide to the future.
Show moreIn the absence of motorized boats and gondolas, Venice's waters have returned to a sparkling blue color. Deer have been spotted roaming cities in Italy, and mountain goats recently took over a small seaside town in Wales. Taking advantage of the decreased boat traffic, whales have returned to roaming Vancouver's harbours. The absence of 'regular' human activities has dramatically affected our environment. In this book, Bob McDonald turns his focus to global energy sources, and shows how the global shutdowns may have been exactly what we needed to show us that a greener future is achievable. This is not another 'wake-up call,' and not another plea to heed the climate science. This is an exploration of the incredible technologies that our species can use to get out of the mess we've made for ourselves. It is a work of immense optimism, to counteract the sense of doom that hangs over most discussions of the environment. Many alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal have been available for decades - but they alone will not be enough. Additional power will come from small nuclear reactors the size of an office desk, and space-based solar power satellites with enormous mirrors that can capture sunlight, convert it to microwaves, and beam it to the ground to light up entire cities. Energy will be captured from waves, tides, and hydrogen. Vehicles will no longer have tailpipes that emit smog particles. Food will be sourced locally. Green technology is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, and will only continue to skyrocket as current products improve their performance and new products emerge. A new green age is upon us - let this book be your guide to the future.
Show moreBOB McDONALD has been the host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks since 1992. He is a regular science commentator on CBC’s News Network and a science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National. His book Measuring the Earth with a Stick was shortlisted for the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award. He has been honoured with the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; the 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute; and the 2005 McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science from the Royal Society of Canada. He holds thirteen honorary doctorates from Canadian universities. In November 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 2015, asteroid 332324 was officially named Bobmcdonald in his honour.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
One of:
CBC’s “27 Canadian books we can't wait to read in September”
CBC’s “60 works of Canadian nonfiction to watch for in fall
2022”
Toronto Star's “40-plus books we’re most looking forward to this
season”
The Globe and Mail’s “Best books to gift this year [2022]”
Corporate Knights’ “Four solution-packed books about climate change
you need to read this fall”
“Bob McDonald uses the global industrial shutdowns brought on by
COVID-19 to show that a green future is possible – and upon us.
McDonald explores the usual alternative energy sources, but also
introduces readers to new ones, including desk-sized nuclear
reactors, space-based solar power satellites, and energy from
waves, tides, and hydrogen.”
—Quill & Quire
“McDonald takes the reader on a bit of an energy safari . . .
showing off some of humanity’s impressive achievements and
explaining how they’ll all fit together in a green future . . .
making science easily digestible. [T]he book is packed with
optimism.”
—Corporate Knights
“The Future is Now is not another wake-up call, but rather an
optimistic book that looks at existing technologies and how they
can be used now to address the environmental emergency.”
—Vancouver Sun
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