The green argument for conservation is a contradiction in that although they produce no emissions, because renewable systems are composed of a large number of small units, a considerable amount of energy is required to produce, erect, and maintain them. Written by an international journalist with 40 years of experience reporting on power-generating technologies and global energy policies, this book addresses the question of how to build an electricity supply system that meets the demands of a growing population without accelerating global warming or damaging the environment. The text defines a green energy system as one whose construction, installation, and operation minimally impact the environment.