A Matter of Scale

Untangling the Titanic Challenge of Humanity's Clean Energy Future

Non-Fiction - Environment
256 Pages
Reviewed on 05/03/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

Author Biography

PRESTON URKA is passionate about environmental conservation and solutions to lower carbon-dioxide emissions and other pollutants. He was compelled to write this book to explain the titanic scale of our challenge. After writing A Matter of Scale, even he has had to change his perceptions of scale!

Preston received his BA in Mathematics and Chemistry from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. He received his MBA from Chicago Booth School of Business, University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

Preston lives in Chicago's Ukrainian Village community, primarily because of the delicious cabbage rolls, bread, sausages, cheeses, and pastries to be found in the neighborhood. He is a devoted follower of the many Frontier League and Minor League baseball teams found near Chicago and the Windy City Rollers.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Three of the major effects of the high-carbon fuels used to generate power in today's world are sped-up climate change, the acidification of the oceans, and deaths caused by asthma, cancer, and pulmonary disease. It's obvious we need to set a goal of using low-carbon energy resources to generate power as the situation is already concerning enough and could get even worse if left unchecked. In A Matter of Scale, Preston Urka discusses why generating power is important in maintaining a wealthy, vibrant, and expansive society and the low-carbon possibilities and solutions society must adopt and advocate for to achieve a significant change. Readers will learn about concentrated solar energy, wind energy, nuclear power, and the practicality of low-carbon electricity generation.

Finally! A book that provides feasible solutions to the pollution problem caused by high-carbon fuels and simplifies the science and engineering concepts for laypeople. I, as one of such laypeople, was finally able to understand why nuclear power is considered a good option for generating power even though it appears dangerous. A Matter of Scale: Untangling the Titanic Challenge of Humanity's Clean Energy Future is packed with many more important revelations, and as explained by the author, it favors "clarity over quibbles". However, readers who wish to study further are provided with a reputable website as endnotes. Preston Urka's book also includes pictures, charts, and practical examples that make understanding and remembering the concepts easier. Since A Matter of Scale hits the nail right on the head regarding a problem that affects us all, I recommend it to everyone: the decision-makers and the rest of the populace.

Preston Urka

Foluso Falaye,
I am thrilled to learn that you, "as one of such laypeople" viewed the book as making the science and engineering understandable. A major aim of the book was to make the concepts accessible, in addition to the message of what we need to do in creating a low-carbon "wealthy, vibrant, and expansive society".
Thank you for your kind comments,
Preston Urka
(ps - as the author, it is hard for me to give anything less than 5 stars!)