Copyright Date:
2016
Edition Date:
2016
Release Date:
08/01/15
Pages:
104 pages
ISBN:
1-467-73831-X
ISBN 13:
978-1-467-73831-6
Dewey:
338.2
LCCN:
2014020890
Dimensions:
24 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
ALA Booklist
(Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)
Opening with a compellingly written account of a burst oil pipeline in Arkansas, this slim volume sets out to explain the importance of petroleum, the world's dependence on the fuel, and the destructive implications of its continued use. With surprising, sickening statistics, such as "every day people on Earth use about 90 million barrels of petroleum," Goldstein's exploration of the topic is designed to grab readers' attention. Broken up into chapters on what petroleum is made of, its protracted and often bloody history, Big Oil, and the extent to which it is inextricably tied to economies the world over, among others, Goldstein provides plenty of facts interspersed with quotes and stories from people with varying opinions. Petroleum, dependence upon it, and its future are all hot topics, but Goldstein gives fair and realistic coverage, including up-to-the-minute facts about fracking. Full-color photographs complement the text, though Goldstein's engaging writing style is evocative enough on its own. Back end material includes a glossary, a bibliography, and additional multimedia resources. Though concise, a solid purchase for schools and public libraries.
Bibliography Index/Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-101) and index.
Every day, people on Earth use about 90 million barrels of petroleum (oil and natural gas) to fuel cars, buses, airplanes, farm equipment, and factories; to heat their homes; and to manufacture detergents, paints, plastics, and countless other products. To get that petroleum, oil and gas companies search all over the planetfrom northernmost Canada to deep under the ocean. Because it is such a valuable commodity, petroleum has become known as black gold. And because of global dependence on this natural resource, scholars say we are living in the Age of Oil.
Alongside its benefits, petroleum has serious drawbacks. It is not a renewable resource, and many of Earth's most easily accessed petroleum deposits have been used up. Companies have begun to search for oil in more difficult-to-reach places, using controversial methods. Extracting, processing, and refining oil is often environmentally destructive. Oil spills and other accidents can contaminate soil and water, kill wildlife, and make people sick. On a larger scale, burning fossil fuels such as petroleum releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air, leading to climate change.
Even as governments, activists, and researchers explore a wide range of conservation measures and alternative fuel sources, the world continues to run on petroleum. And the struggle to balance the pros and cons of this coveted resource will play a decisive role in the planet's future.