Energy For Future Presidents By Richard J. Muller: Summary

1.0 Introduction Richard J. Muller is an accomplished professor at the University of California at Berkeley with expertise in a variety of areas including: energy efficiency, conservation, solar power, and nuclear power. His book “Energy for Future Presidents” is an open monologue where Muller expresses his thoughts on the current state of energy sources and its potential in a growing world where the demand for energy is continually escalating. The need for this book stems from a lack of in-depth knowledge about energy sources and the issues surrounding it. This publication focuses around exploring alternatives for energy security in the United States, while also keeping in mind the effects that these energy sources have on global warming. One of the greatest strengths encompassed within the reading pertains to the author’s ability to be non-subjective in his writing and that the author offers a different perspective on energy; separate from the way the world understands it. However, despite its ability to present a different perspective on energy sources, the writing overwhelms to reader with an influx of information, making it difficult to retain all of the facts, data, and information. 2.0 Summary of Key Arguments If it has not already started, there are two central issues that will begin to plague the United States and the rest of the nations of the world in the coming years. Energy security and global warming will become the forefront of many discussions and solutions will be sought after to ratify the trepidations regarding these topics. The energy security concern in this case does not pertain to energy sources, but instead the “growing gap between domestic petroleum production rate and the demand for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel” (Muller, 2013, p. 290). With global warming, there is fear that the growing use of coal in developing countries, particularly China, will offset any attempts of reducing carbon emissions that has been made by the United States. For the world to move away from their dependency on coal, they must start to look at relying on shale gas as an alternative means for energy. Not only will natural gas assist the United States in getting past the petroleum shortage, it will also aid in reducing carbon emissions. Similar to shale gas, there are many other energy alternatives that could prove to be just as effective, of which include: wind, solar, or nuclear power. However, despite global determinations at reducing carbon emissions, the key solution to being more environmentally conscious lies within energy productivity. Placing effort in energy conservation and efficiency improvement reduces the continued exploitation of energy sources, while also minimizing the effects of carbon emissions. 3.0 Evaluation of the Writing 3.1 Relevancy Arguments within the writing are relevant as they pertain to the issues that have surfaced within the recent years, particularly the disputes concerning global warming and a shortage of oil for transportation. They prepare the reader to undertake the critical analytic role in order to receive a greater understanding of the current pressures and issues of each energy source coupled with the benefits they provide. Muller attempts to cover the basis for all energy sources, including the ones which are not as widely known, exposing the reader to the different options allowing for a better critical analysis of resolving the two major issues. From the more common energy sources such as coal and natural gas to alternative energy such as nuclear power and biofuels, this book offers insightful details and plays a significant role in invoking critical thinking …show more content…
Energy productivity was a common theme throughout the novel in which the author explains that the world would be closer to energy security through focusing on the reducing energy waste. Muller (2013) was adamant in the fact that using electricity to air condition homes costs more in the long run than by replacing the existing roof with material to reflect sunlight (p. 123). The writing was able to debunk some of the misconception behind certain environmentally friendly actions. One of the examples included the fact that public transit only is beneficial to the environment if there are more than 15 households per acre and that it was only beneficial for the environment if the transit was full (Muller, 2013, p.