Book Review: Earth: The Sequel
Krupp, Fred and Miriam Horn. Earth: The Sequel, the race to reinvent energy and stop global warming. Norton, 2008.
In the 1980’s, author Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund proposed the world’s first cap and trade system to reduce the levels of acid rain. The cap and trade system placed a limit on sulfur dioxide, divided the total among polluters and allowed them to trade on the market. Companies learned they could make money by not emitting pollutants. Innovation was inspired throughout the market and within five years, emissions were 30% lower than the cap required by law. Krupp and Horn’s new book, Earth: the sequel, makes the case that the same market forces can be brought to bear on the problem of global warming.
After making the case for a new cap and trade system, the authors discuss new and emerging energy technologies, including solar, biofuel and geothermal technologies. Most of the book is about the challenges and successes of the companies and people who make up the new clean energy industry — inventors and investors; visionaries and venture capitalists; entrepreneurs and their start-ups. This upbeat book is hopeful about the opportunities to reduce greenhouse emissions and resolve our environmental problems.
© Reviewer: Meg Trauner & Ford Library – Fuqua School of Business. All rights reserved.
Tags: Energy policy, Innovation