Vision 2050: Roadmap for a Sustainable Earth

By Hiroshi Komiyama and Steven Kraines

Book Overview

Hiroshi Komiyama's "Vision 2050" is a plan for paving a road to global sustainability. It lays out a path to a sustainable future for humanity that could realistically be achieved by 2050 through the application of science and technology. A prominent Japanese academic and leader in global sustainability, Komiyama draws upon realistic assumptions and solid scientific concepts to create a vision that makes the living standards enjoyed by developed countries today possible for all people by 2050. "Vision 2050" is built upon three fundamental principles - increased energy efficiency, recycling, and development of renewable energy sources - and the book argues for the technological potential of all three. Specifically, Komiyama envisions a three-fold increase in overall energy efficiency and a doubling of renewable energy resources by 2050. "Vision 2050: Roadmap for a Sustainable Earth" is written to address the concerned citizen as well as to inspire an exchange of ideas among experts, policy makers, industrial leaders, and the general public.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 443109430X
• ISBN13: 9784431094302
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Springer
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Clear writing makes a good case for actual help with the future pollution

This book, written by a Japanese ecology specialist and an American who has studied marine ecology both in Tokyo and in America is one of the most readable cases put forth for what we can actually do to assist in the transformation of the world so we can all continue to live in it and our children and granchildren can continue to thrive. I read it in amazement. There is lots of it which is very technical and I must admit I skipped that, but the summarizations and the precis of contents which appear before all the technical data are coherent, believable, and practical. I keep this book in my teaching studio so that all can skim it and get some idea of how we can move forward from the over use of all the resources of our world. Dorothy Kitchen, Duke University

a convincing case for sustainability

Like a Japanese Ben Franklin, Professor Komiyama is an astute observer, who makes clear in concrete examples how human civilization has evolved to a point where we are changing the living conditions on our planet. And like Franklin, he offers solutions- detailed, concrete solutions covering everything from engineering to ecology to economics. Vision 2050 makes the case for why we must change our patterns of consuming energy and natural resources, but offers realistic hope that with better technology and informed policy, we can restore the balance on our planet and achieve a good standard of living for peoples in all countries. When Vision 2050 was being translated, I was asked for some editorial suggestions; however, I was not paid for this service and have no economic interest in the book.