Released 2009
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Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save CivilizationLester R. Brown Brown argues that food may be the issue that convinces the world of the need to cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2020. Every major environmental trend from climate change to deforestation and water scarcity affect food supplies. In this completely revised edition, Brown focuses on details of the plan and how it is already emerging in the energy economy. |
Table of Contents:
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Selling Our Future »
Introduction »
Food: The Weak Link »
The Emerging Politics of Food Scarcity »
Our Global Ponzi Economy »
Mounting Stresses, Failing States »
Plan B—A Plan to Save Civilization »PART I. THE CHALLENGES
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Population Pressure: Land and Water »
Introduction »
Civilization's Foundation Eroding »
Water Tables Falling »
Farmers Losing Water to Cities »
Land and Water Conflicts »
Cars and People Compete for Grain »
The Rising Tide of Environmental Refugees »
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Climate Change and the Energy Transition »
Introduction »
Rising Temperature and Its Effects »
Melting Ice, Rising Seas »
Melting Glaciers, Shrinking Harvests »
Rising Temperatures, Falling Yields »
The Decline of Oil and Coal »
A Challenge Without Precedent »PART II. THE RESPONSE
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Stabilizing Climate: An Energy Efficiency Revolution »
Introduction »
A Revolution in Lighting Technology »
Energy-Efficient Appliances »
Zero-Carbon Buildings »
Electrifying the Transport System »
A New Materials Economy »
Smarter Grids, Appliances, and Consumers »
The Energy Savings Potential »
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Stabilizing Climate: Shifting to Renewable Energy »
Introduction »
Turning to the Wind »
Solar Cells and Thermal Collectors »
Energy from the Earth »
Plant-Based Sources of Energy »
Hydropower: Rivers, Tides, and Waves »
The World Energy Economy of 2020 »
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Designing Cities for People »
Introduction »
The Ecology of Cities »
Redesigning Urban Transport »
The Return of Bicycles »
Reducing Urban Water Use »
Farming in the City »
Upgrading Squatter Settlements »
Cities for People »
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Eradicating Poverty and Stabilizing Population »
Introduction »
Educating Everyone »
Toward a Healthy Future »
Stabilizing Population »
Rescuing Failing States »
A Poverty Eradication Agenda and Budget »
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Restoring the Earth »
Introduction »
Protecting and Restoring Forests »
Planting Trees to Sequester Carbon »
Conserving and Rebuilding Soils »
Regenerating Fisheries »
Protecting Plant and Animal Diversity »
The Earth Restoration Budget »
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Feeding 8 Billion People Well »
Introduction »
Raising Land Productivity »
Raising Water Productivity »
Producing Protein More Efficiently »
The Localization of Agriculture »
Strategic Reductions in Demand »
Action on Many Fronts »PART III: THE GREAT MOBILIZATION
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Can We Mobilize Fast Enough? »
Introduction »
Shifting Taxes and Subsidies »
Coal: The Beginning of the End »
Climate Stabilization Steps »
Three Models of Social Change »
A Wartime Mobilization »
Mobilizing to Save Civilization »
What You and I Can Do »
Endnotes »
Index »
Acknowledgements & About the Author »