“How the World Really Works” by Vaclav Smil: Delving Beyond the Surface of Sustainability.

by Reuben Chircop

In my ongoing quest to expand my knowledge and understanding of sustainability, conservation, and the ever-present climate challenges we face, I have avidly followed the works of numerous authors. Among them, one author who has truly captivated me is Vaclav Smil. A remarkable individual with a profound breadth of knowledge spanning various disciplines

Several months ago, my journey started with one of Smil’s thought-provoking books, titled “Energy.” This insightful piece provides a comprehensive overview of our current predicaments in power generation. It highlights the intricate dependencies and realities surrounding energy consumption at large.

However, Smil takes readers on an even deeper journey in his work, “How the World Really Works.” Here, he skillfully weaves together history and the evolution of innovation to underscore society’s continued reliance on certain systems. Towards the end, the book unveils a somewhat unsettling truth. A revelation of the immense sacrifices that must be made if we are truly committed to resolving the climate crisis. The magnitude of the opportunity cost involved renders many of the present-day policies, with targets set as close as the next 7-8 years, almost laughable. This of course, unless we stumble upon groundbreaking technologies that challenge the very fundamentals of our current understanding of physics.

The book remains meticulously data-driven, presenting a wealth of facts that imparts a sense of stark reality. It refrains from the allure of marketing tactics, instead opting for an approach that states, “This is the genuine panorama, and this is the perspective we must truly embrace.”

Undoubtedly, this book cannot be viewed as the definitive solution to the complex sustainability issues we face. However, it serves as a valuable guide, offering a profound perspective on the magnitude of the challenges that lie ahead in the forthcoming years.

While my reading journey continues, I am immensely grateful that this book found its place among my initial selection. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with a keen interest in exploring the intricate numerical landscape of energy, power generation, and the factors that have shaped the technologies we have chosen to embrace while leaving others behind.

Did you like this post? share it with others, spread the word.