Long a dream of tinkerers and visionaries, renewable energy has now come of age. Technical innovations and successful development efforts in the last decade show that humanity can meet many of its energy needs by harnessing the inexhaustible flows of energy that come from the sun, the winds, the waters, living plants, and the earth itself. Here is a hard-nosed yet hopeful look at the global energy future. Daniel Deudney and Christopher Flavin of the Worldwatch Institute assess the advances being made in developing the major renewable sources of energy. Wood and hydropower already play crucial roles in the world energy economy. Passive solar design, wood alcohol, wind machines, and solar photovoltaic cells are among the "new" energy sources likely to grow in use most rapidly. Individual countries will pave the way with particular technologies, as has already been shown by Brazil in alcohol fuels, Japan in solar collectors, and the Philippines in geothermal energy. Renewable energy is not only an economical alternative to coal and nuclear power, the authors argue, but can help relieve unemployment, environmental degradation, and other pressing problems. The book describes what life could be like in a world powered by renewable energy, noting that differences in climate, natural resources, and economic philosophy will help determine which energy sources are used in various regions. Going beyond the generalities that have dominated recent energy policy debates, Deudney and Flavin detail a plan of action to promote sound energy development in rich and poor nations alike. They conclude that institutions and politics -- not resource limits -- constrain the use of renewable energy. - Jacket flap.