This book provides the reader with essential tools needed to
analyze complex societal issues and demonstrates the transition
from physics to modern-day laws and treaties. This second edition
features new equation-oriented material and extensive data sets
drawing upon current information from experts in their fields.
Problems to challenge the reader and extend discussion are
presented on three timely issues:
National Security: Weapons, Offense, Defense, Verification,
Nuclear Proliferation, Terrorism
Environment: Air/Water, Nuclear, Climate Change, EM
Fields/Epidemiology
Energy: Current Energy Situation, Buildings, Solar Buildings,
Renewable Energy, Enhanced End-Use Efficiency, Transportation,
Economics
Praise for the first edition:
""This insight is needed in Congress and the Executive Branch.
Hafemeister, a former Congressional fellow with wide Washington
experience, has written a book for physicists, chemists and
engineers who want to learn science and policy on weapons, energy,
and the environment. Scientists who want to make a difference will
want this book.""
Richard Scribner, first Director, Congressional Science and
Engineering Fellow Program, AAAS
""Hafemeister shows how much one can understand about nuclear
weapons and missile issues through simple back-of-the-envelope
calculations. He also provides compact explanations of the
partially successful attempts that have been made over the past 60
years to control these weapons of mass destruction. Hopefully,
Physics of Societal Issues will help interest a new generation of
physicists in continuing this work.""
Frank von Hippel, Professor, Princeton, former Assistant
Director,
National Security, White House, OSTP
""Energy policy must be quantitative. People who don't calculate
economic tradeoffs often champion simplistic hardware. The solution
is more... nuclear power, or electric cars, or photovoltaics, etc.
Some simple physics will show that the true solution matches supply
and demand as an integrated resource plan. Physics of Societal
Issues is a good place to begin this journey.""
Arthur Rosenfeld, former California Energy Commissioner,
Professor-emeritus, U. of California-Berkeley
"
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