Can a New Economy Save the World?

Can a new economy based on hydrogen fuel deliver us from war and

terrorism? Can we make the world a safer place by removing oil from

the international chessboard of power politics?

Yes, says global trend-tracker Jeremy Rifkin in “The Hydrogen

Economy.” In his 16th book about the impact of scientific and

technological change, the acclaimed social critic envisions the dawn

of the next great commercial era in history. Founded on earth’s most

abundant element, the new economy will end reliance on Middle East

oil and diffuse the dangerous geopolitical game between Muslim

militants and Western nations, Rifkin maintains.

Excerpts from Rifkin’s new work are featured in “The Hydrogen

Economy,” the cover story of the January/February 2003 issue of “E:

The Environmental Magazine,” available at the Newport Beach Central

Library. The article may be accessed online, in the Library’s

ProQuest database.

Rifkin is no newcomer to solutions that will create a sustainable

future. With “The End of Work,” he helped shape the debate on

technology displacement, corporate downsizing and the future of jobs.

In “The Biotech Century,” he addressed the era of genetic commerce.

In “The Age of Access,” he explored the transition from geographic

markets to e-commerce networks.

He’s also not alone in turning his attention to alternative

energy. In “Tomorrow’s Energy: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the

Prospects for a Cleaner Planet,” fellow futurist Peter Hoffman calls

hydrogen “the quintessential eco-fuel”--a non-polluting, renewable

form of energy that can power cars, trucks, computers and factories.

In addition to putting a damper on global pyrotechnics, replacing

fossil fuels with commercial fuel cells powered by this “forever

fuel” can lead to cleaner skies and safer roads.

UC Irvine and Toyota Motors are now testing that theory with the

first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that will be used in Orange

County--a five-passenger sport utility vehicle with a range of 180

miles.

For a historical overview of renewable energies, turn to Paula

Berinstein’s “Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics, and Issues.”

Following a history about the use of coal, oil, natural gas and other

conventional energy sources, Berinstein turns her attention to the

economics of solar, wind, fusion, geo-thermal and hydrogen-based

technologies.

Alternative energies will fuel lively discussions at the Newport

Beach Central Library when Rifkin presents “Petroleum, Politics and

the Hydrogen Economy” on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22. The program will launch

the sixth annual Martin W. Witte Distinguished Speakers Lecture

Series. Tickets may be reserved online at www.newportbeach

library.org/.

* “Check it Out” is written by the staff of the Newport Beach

Public Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams. All titles

may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the

catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.