How to build a sustainable future

Green Energy (WIRED guides)

Fossil fuels may be keeping the world running, but they're also destroying the planet. What viable alternatives do we have, and what technological breakthroughs are on the horizon? 
 
In this brilliantly wide-ranging, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Nicole Kobie outlines the environmental threats we face through our reliance on carbon-based energy, and considers whether and when sustainable energy can take its place. She looks at the major technologies currently available - solar, wind and geothermal among them - explaining how they work and what potential they possess. She shows how electricity supply is being transformed by advances in storage and distribution. She assesses how each form of energy is being adapted to serve our industrial and domestic needs. And she addresses the fundamental question: can the world's energy supply become fully sustainable within the next decade?

Nicole Kobie is a freelance journalist focussing on technology, transport and science. She is a futures editor at PC Pro and a contributing editor at WIRED UK. 
 
 WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

Fossil fuels may be keeping the world running, but they're also destroying the planet. What viable alternatives do we have, and what technological breakthroughs are on the horizon? 
 
 In this brilliantly wide-ranging, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Nicole Kobie outlines the environmental threats we face through our reliance on carbon-based energy, and considers whether and when sustainable energy can take its place. She looks at the major technologies currently available - solar, wind and geothermal among them - explaining how they work and what potential they possess. She shows how electricity supply is being transformed by advances in storage and distribution. She assesses how each form of energy is being adapted to serve our industrial and domestic needs. And she addresses the fundamental question: can the world's energy supply become fully sustainable within the next decade?

How to Feed the Planet Without Destroying It

The Future of Food (WIRED guides)

Matthew Reynolds (Author) Matt Reynolds is a senior editor at WIRED UK. WIRED (Author) WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

With a global population estimated to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050 we face a huge challenge in feeding everyone on the planet. How is that to be achieved? 
 
In this brilliantly insightful, one stop guide WIRED journalist Matt Reynolds assesses the limits and drawbacks of current food production and looks at the ways in which they can be tackled. He considers the potential for lab-grown meat to replace inefficient livestock farming. He talks to the scientists hoping to perfect more productive and disease-resistant crops. He explores initiatives to make agriculture less environmentally damaging and to reduce food waste. And he addresses the fundamental question: how do we feed more people while using fewer of the Earth's resources?

How Digital Money Could Transform Finance

Cryptocurrency (WIRED guides)

Gian Volpicelli (Author) 
 Gian Volpicelli is a Senior Editor for WIRED UK. 
 
WIRED (Author) 
 WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

The past decade has seen the relentless rise of cryptocurrency as an alternative form of digital currency. But what precisely is it and what potential does it have to change the world of money? 
 
In this brilliantly clear, one-stop guide WIRED Senior Editor Gian Vopicelli explains everything you need to know about cryptocurrency. He outlines its development and describes precisely how it operates. He demystifies the jargon it has spawned, from blockchain, Bitcoin and stablecoins to mining, smart contracts and forking. He looks at the political and economic ideologies that drive it. And he addresses the central question: will cryptocurrency have the transformative economic and social impact that its champions claim for it?

How It Works and How It Could Change the World

Quantum Computing (WIRED guides)

The prose is clear, well written, not dumbed down, but equally well equipped to take you on a deep dive into the key concepts of quantum . . . A good book, thought provoking, and a glimpse of what its down the road.

It's a great intro to the present state of and prospects for quantum computing - not too technical, wasting little space on the basics but avoiding the hieroglyphics of quantum algorithms.

Amit Katwala (Author) 
 Amit Katwala is a senior editor at WIRED UK. 
 
WIRED (Author) 
 WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

Quantum computing has been hailed as a technological game-changer. But what precisely is it and what is its true potential? 
 
In this superbly insightful, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Amit Katwala tells you everything you need to know about the next computer revolution. He explains the highly complex science that lies behind it. He describes the competing efforts of the likes of Google, Microsoft and Chinese companies Tencent and Alibaba to create a viable quantum computer, and the different routes they have taken to meet the immense technical challenges involved. He considers the technology's potential application in spheres as diverse as medicine, cyber security and clean energy. And he addresses the fundamental question: how close are we to seeing quantum computers become a widespread reality.

How Machine Learning Will Shape the Next Decade

Artificial Intelligence (WIRED guides)

In this book Burgess manages to cover all the key AI trends and developments over the last 60 years . . . delivers an informative and readable guide to all the main events that have taken place to date . . . We found this one helpful for a new or general reader and would recommend it to those looking for a good place to start in this field.

Matthew Burgess (Author) Matt Burgess is the deputy digital editor at WIRED UK. WIRED (Author) WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

The past decade has witnessed extraordinary advances in artificial intelligence. But what precisely is it and where does its future lie? 
 
In this brilliant, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Matt Burgess explains everything you need to know about AI. He describes how it works. He looks at the ways in which it has already brought us everything from voice recognition software to self-driving cars, and explores its potential for further revolutionary change in almost every area of our daily lives. He examines the darker side of machine learning: its susceptibility to hacking; its tendency to discriminate against particular groups; and its potential misuse by governments. And he addresses the fundamental question: can machines become as intelligent as human beings?

How We Can Get to Carbon Zero

Climate Change (WIRED guides)

This is a short, punchy, effective book . . . We'd recommend reading it, and then passing it on, and hopefully getting as many people as possible to read it too! . . . In this invaluable, one-stop guide Bianca Nogrady analyses the science of climate change and offers a concise overview of the ways in which our carbon emissions might be reduced . . . she addresses the fundamental question: is it possible to safeguard our future before it's too late?

Bianca Nogrady (Author) Bianca Nogrady is a freelance science journalist and regular contributor to WIRED UK. WIRED (Author) WIRED is the world's most authoritative and respected publication reporting on the emerging trends, ideas and technologies shaping our world. Our mission is to tell the stories of the people who are driving this change and to understand its impact on business, society and individuals. WIRED has become synonymous with informed and intelligent analysis of these transformational forces and the significance of them for industries and individuals and is a consistently reliable predictor of change.

Man-made global warming is advancing inexorably. Are there ways to halt it? 
 
In this invaluable, one-stop guide Bianca Nogrady analyses the science of climate change and offers a concise overview of the ways in which our carbon emissions might be reduced. She examines the challenges posed by food and energy production and the cutting-edge technologies that could mitigate their polluting effects. She looks at initiatives to create green industry and transport. She explains the economics of emissions trading schemes and the practicalities of geoengineering plans to trap greenhouse gases. And she addresses the fundamental question: is it possible to safeguard our future before it's too late?

Rachael Pells

WIRED

How Genome Sequencing Will Change Our Lives

Genome sequencing is one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs of the past thirty years. But what precisely does it involve and how is it developing? 
 
 In this brilliantly wide-ranging, one-stop guide WIRED journalist Rachael Pells explains the science behind genomics. She analyses its practical applications in medical diagnosis and the treatment of conditions that range from cancer to severe allergic reactions to cystic fibrosis. She considers its potential to help with advances in agriculture and environmental science. She explores the ethics of genetic modification and the dangers involved when humans 'play God'. And she addresses the fundamental question: to what extent will future advances transform human longevity and the quality of life.

WIRED

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