Powering planet Earth: energy solutions for the future

What is energy? Energy and related terms ; From one energy form to another ; Sources of energy ; The pillars of the universe ; Particles in motion ; Heat (warmth) - an exchangeable energy ; You can't run away from them - the principles of thermodynamics ; Einstein's equation: E =mc2; From kilowatt-hour to the barrel of oil ; From a chemical bond to a tsunami

Yesterday and today. The energy slaves ; From coal to coal? ; Hidden energy ; From Faraday to blackouts ; From muscle work to jet aircraft ; Petroleum to food ; From fire to air conditioning ; From horseback messengers to e-mails ; From gunpowder to the atomic bomb ; Emerging issues

How much energy goes to waste? The largest explosion of all time ; Obese and miserable ; Fruits out of season ; From whale oil to pollution by light ; At full throttle ; A desperate case - the transportation system ; Let's get a move on

Energy in the spaceship's hold. Crude oil ; Peaking of oil production? ; Natural gas ; Coal and CO2 rise ; The most traded commodities ; The hidden treasure ; Energy also travels ; Costly energy invoices ; Alliances, tensions, wars

Collateral damage. The planet overheats ; Agreements and disagreements ; Jailing the offender? ; A subtle danger ; Rain is no longer what it used to be ; Financial compensation ; Minimize! Save the planet

Energy from the atom. Splitting the atom ; Nuclear accidents ; An inconvenient legacy ; Where do we store nuclear wastes? ; We'll settle the bill later ; Current nuclear power plants ; Tomorrow's nuclear power plants (maybe) ; The harsh reality of the marketplace ; Solution or problem? ; Nuclear fusion: if not roses . . . then what?

Energy from the Sun. Conversion and exploitation of sunlight ; From light to heat ; From light to electricity ; Concentrating sunlight ; Light to chemical energy - Natural photosynthesis ; Light to chemical energy - the sunshine Vitamin ; Biomass and biofuels: Yes, but . . . ! ; Artificial photosynthesis ; The hydrogen myth

energy from air, water, and land. Wind changes ; Wind farms ; Water - between past and future ; Geothermal energy ; Sea power

Fukushima and the future of nuclear energy. What happened at Fukushima Daiichi? ; The consequences for the population ; A lesson from the Fukushima disaster ; What is today's cost of nuclear energy? ; Should Italy go back to nuclear energy? ; The fate of nuclear energy ; Global expansion of nuclear power? ; Is it worthwhile to get energy using technologies exposed to great risks?

Energy Italy. Stop navigating blind ; Conserve energy! Where? How? ; Italy - a country with an abundance of sunlight ; Wind, Geothermal energy, Biomass ; Conservation and renewables - a summary

Energy Canada. Primary energy resources ; Oil sands or tar sands? ; Oil sands and their environmental impact ; Water usage ; Natural gas usage ; Greenhouse gases ; Coal in Canada ; Natural gas ; Nuclear energy and electricity ; Electricity ; Renewable energy - wind power ; Renewable energy - Solar power ; Renewable energy - Biomass energy ; Renewable energy - Geothermal energy ; Renewable energy - Sea power ; Canada and energy - Doing more

Energy USA. Primary energy resources ; Coal - supply and demand ; Natural gas - supply and demand ; Nuclear power ; Historical notes ; Present situation ; Nuclear renaissance ; Water usage in nuclear reactors ; Plant decommissioning ; Renewable energy ; Renewable energy - wind power ; Renewable energy - Solar thermal power ; Renewable energy - Solar photovoltaic ; Renewable energy - Geothermal energy ; Renewable energy - biomass ; Renewable energy - biofuels

Energy UK. Primary energy resources ; Fossil fuels ; Fossil fuels - coal ; Fossil fuels - Natural gas ; Nuclear power ; Nuclear waste management and disposal ; Windscale fire and decommissioning ; Renewable energy ; Renewable energy - wind power ; Some historical notes ; Renewable energy - Solar power ; Renewable energy - Geothermal energy ; Renewable energy - Wave and tidal power ; Renewable energy - biofuels ; Electricity in the United Kingdom

Global trends. A shot at the wrong target ; Sustainability of the photovoltaic option ; Will renewable energy sources suffice? ; But there is always a limit

Scenarios for the future. (Un)sustainable development ; America's big footprint ; The more we consume, the more we're happy? ; That's enough ; Strategies ; At the crossroads ; Transition to renewable energy resources ; The scientist's and the politician's responsibility ; Challenges and opportunities.