Simple Solutions: For Planet Earth is a scientific book written in a popular style for the average reader. You have read about Peak Oil and Global Climate Warming, and complained about $4/gallon gasoline, but how really serious are these headlines and annoyances? The author has worked his entire career on: the science, technology, education, administration and politics of these subjects, and crystallizes this complex field into understandable elements, providing simple solutions for humanity.
Does it make sense for the renewable energy budget of the Federal Government to be about $1 billion/year when:
o Annual tax incentives and government programs for the oil industry are supposedly in the range between $38 billion and $115 billion, although Lester Brown says $210 billion in 2005.
o Farm subsidies alone in 2004 cost taxpayers $16.2 billion.
o Our country spends $12 billion a month, or $144 billion/year, on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, ostensibly to protect oil, only to raise prices.
The author’s long experience with the Greenhouse Effect has led him to believe that methane, not carbon dioxide, could well be the critical gas of concern, for there is potential for global warming to cascade into, what he terms, the Venus Syndrome. The closing chapter speculates on a hypothesis regarding mega-tsunamis (100 meter waves) from landslides.
While simple solutions are suggested, the problem is the inability of our civilization to agree on a workable strategy, which is further weakened by the lack of will on part of the general populace. Thus, the reader is urged to help make that crucial difference. Instructions and examples are provided on how to attain Rainbow Vision to carry out this mission for a better Planet Earth. The simplest solution is for everyone to join in on the effort.
Patrick Takahashi is Emeritus Director of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute and retired Professor of Engineering at the University of Hawaii. He served as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Senate, helping draft original legislation in hydrogen and a range of other sustainable resources. Professor Takahashi participated in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Program of the National Aerospace and Aeronautics Administration and conducted laser fusion research for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
At the University of Hawaii, Professor Takahashi taught computer languages, environmental engineering and technology/society. However, most of his career focused on helping bring to Hawaii various national centers: Department of Interior Marine Materials Technology Center, Department of Energy Hydrogen Center and National Science Foundation Marine BioProducts Engineering Center.
He helped co-found the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research, which spearheaded the technology transfer of ocean thermal energy conversion and biomass conversion, leading to global programs, such as: the Blue Revolution, to utilize the riches of the ocean while improving the marine environment, and Green Enertopia, a world-wide effort to create symbols of energy self-sufficiency in island and remote settings.
A chemical engineer, colors and elements are featured: Black Energy, Green Enertopia, The Silver Bullet: Hydrogen, Blue Revolution, White Out: The Venus Syndrome, and Blackout: Six Hours to Seattle.
The cover represents his family crest, colorized to represent Rainbow Vision, the guide to simple solutions. To take the high road to cooperation, countries and individuals might need a high bridge. Takahashi means high bridge in Japanese. Thus, the author wishes to work with the reader in using simple solutions to make Planet Earth a better world.