My Favourite Books of 2020
Paul Deane
Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork, Ireland-Fellow at the Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines.
These are my favourite energy-related books of 2020. Previous lists here from 2019, 2018 and 2017. Please do share your recommendations for good reads for 2021.
The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin| This is a wonderful overview of the global energy landscape by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of ‘The Prize’ and ‘The Quest’. Yergin shows how climate battles and energy revolutions are mapping our future.
The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe by Thane Gustafson| This is the story of the gas industry in Europe and how its relationship with Russia developed. Thane Gustafson is an expert on Russian oil and gas and this book provides deep insight on the mutual dependence of both regions on each other.
Energy and Geopolitics Paperback by Per Högselius| Aimed a little more at students of energy, this book walks us through the complex world of energy supply and international energy relations, examining a wide spectrum of fossil fuels, alongside nuclear and renewables.
How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time by Tara Shine| I have learned so much from this book. I love it. It is easy and interesting to read and shows us practical things we can all do to reduce our environmental impact. Makes a great Christmas present too.
Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present by Frank M. Snowden| One of my favourites reads of 2020. Snowden looks at the impact of epidemic diseases and how mass infectious outbreaks have shaped society, from the Black Death to today.
How Bad Are Bananas?: The carbon footprint of everything by Mike Berners-Lee| This is an update to the 2010 version and examined the carbon impact of everything from funerals to flights (tip... if you want a low carbon funeral, try to have very few friends)
Lords of the Desert: Britain's Struggle with America to Dominate the Middle East by James Barr| The story of the competition for power in the Middle East during and after the Second World War.
Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions by Benjamin K. Sovacool| More targeted at academics, this book examines the stories we tell ourselves about our favourite or least favourite technologies including nuclear power, hydrogen, shale gas, clean coal, smart meters, and EV’s.
Green and Prosperous Land: A Blueprint for Rescuing the British Countryside by Dieter Helm| This book looks at the value and role of natural capital and sets out a plan to protect, promote and preserve it. Many of these problems and proposed solutions will be familiar to us in Ireland.
Net Zero: How We Stop Causing Climate Change by Dieter Helm | I must admit I have just started this new book from Dieter Helm and hope to finish it over the holidays.
Please share your favourite reads or suggestions for 2021 in the comments
Senior Regulatory Analyst at Bord Gáis Energy
4yHey Paul, Thanks for the list. Made for some interesting Chisrtmas Presents!
Senior Policy Director Adjunct Professor Energy Institute UCD
4yPaul Deane this is a fabulous yarn for energy folks https://m.imdb.com/title/tt04192998/
Lecturer @ UCL | Climate Change Comedian | Keynote Speaker | Author | Broadcaster | Environmental Expert
4yI have one coming out next year. Remind me to send you a copy!
Technology Manager, Emerging Technology and R&D at ESB
4yHey Paul, Cool list again this year. ‘The New Map’ was great. Kinda cheating, but ‘Underland’ by Robert McFarlane is my top tip. It’s more nature writing than a book about energy, but includes a great chapter on nuclear waste...it’s also generally brilliant. happy reading!
Senior Policy Director Adjunct Professor Energy Institute UCD
4yThanks for sharing Paul Deane mine was Daniel Yergin enjoyed an interview with him by Lawrence Jones and the two by Dieter Helm (who gave me an acknowledgment!). This list saves me making a Santa list!