How the world really works. Our past, present and future through the eyes of the scientist. Smil V.

Our life today is oversaturated with information, but most people still do not know how our world actually arranges. This book illuminates the main topics related to ensuring our survival and well -being: energy, food production, the most important durable materials, globalization, risk assessment, environment and a strangling person. The search for an effective solution to problems requires the study of facts - we will learn, for example, that globalization was not inevitable and that our society is increasingly dependent on fossil fuel, so any promises of the decarbonization by 2050 is nothing more than a fairy tale. That for every tomato grown in a greenhouse, energy is required, equivalent to five tablespoons of diesel fuel, and that we do not know such methods of mass production of steel, cement and plastic, which would not leave a giant carbon trace. Canadian scientist, ecologist and political scientist Vaclav Smil, famous for his works on the connection of energy with ecology, demography and real policy, as well as virtuoso ability to handle large arrays of statistical data, is looking for a response to the most important question of our time: whether humanity is doomed to death or us A happy new world awaits?

convincing, abundant data, non -standard, characterized by a wide interdisciplinary look, this book rejects both extremes. The quantitative view of the world reveals the truths that change our attitude to the past, real and uncertain future.

“I am not a pessimist and not an optimist; I am a scientist trying to explain how the world actually operates, and I will use this understanding to help us better realize future restrictions and opportunities. ” (Vaclav Smil)