9/1/04 Science Books & Films
One of the major environmental challenges facing society today is the quest for a lasting source of energy. Currently, a high percentage of electricity is produced from fossil-fuel resources. This series of three books focuses on alternative sources to fossil fuels and explains how energy can be generated from the renewable sources of the sun, wind, and water. Each book provides background information and reviews the science concepts dealing with wind, water, and the sun. Fundamental details, such as what causes the wind to blow, how water shapes our planet, and how solar energy is used are described simply and clearly. Separate sections are devoted to how water, the sun, and the wind are utilized to generate electricity. Photographs of representative sites that employ water, sun, or wind power are integrated throughout the text. Strategic references to historic uses of those technologies illustrate how sun, wind, and water were used in various cultures and countries. For example, the Egyptians used wind power to navigate their boats 7,000 years ago, and windmills were used 2,200 years ago by the Persians (now Iranians) and Chinese. Over 1,000 years ago, the Anasazi Indians constructed their homes so that they maximized the winter sunlight and minimized the rays of the summer sun. Both the benefits and some of the concerns regarding the use of these renewable resources are discussed, and possible advances in the technology are highlighted.

 
Each book contains a list of additional resources and information on organizations, as well as the Web addresses of on-line sites dealing with the source of energy mentioned in the title. As the demand for energy continues to escalate, these books can help students familiarize themselves with ideas on how wind, the sun, and water were used as energy sources and how they could be used in their lifetimes.

 
-September/October 2004