Paul Roberts (author)
Encyclopedia
Paul Roberts is an American
journalist and author of two non-fiction books, The End of Oil
(2004) and The End of Food (2008). He had before been a regular contributor to Harper's Magazine
and writes primarily about "the complex interplay of economics, technology, and the natural world."
and other fossil fuel
s such as coal
and natural gas
. The book received a number of positive reviews from American newspapers and review publications. Notably, environmentalist Bill McKibben
, in an article for the New York Review of Books, described it as "perhaps the best single book ever produced about our energy economy and its environmental implications."
, as it has emerged since the Green Revolution
, will be able to feed a growing world population
. The End of Food was described by Michael Pollan
, a professor of science and environmental journalism at the University of California
and himself an author of food-related non-fiction, as "the best analysis of the global food economy you are likely to find."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist and author of two non-fiction books, The End of Oil
The End of Oil
The End of Oil: On the Edge of a Perilous New World is a non-fiction book by American journalist and author Paul Roberts. Published in 2004, it is Roberts' book-length debut...
(2004) and The End of Food (2008). He had before been a regular contributor to Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
and writes primarily about "the complex interplay of economics, technology, and the natural world."
The End of Oil (2004)
In his book-length debut, The End of Oil, Roberts gave an analysis of the various problems associated with humanity's reliance on oilPetroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and other fossil fuel
Fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
s such as coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
. The book received a number of positive reviews from American newspapers and review publications. Notably, environmentalist Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben
William Ernest "Bill" McKibben is an American environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. He is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College...
, in an article for the New York Review of Books, described it as "perhaps the best single book ever produced about our energy economy and its environmental implications."
The End of Food (2008)
In 2008, Roberts published his second book, titled The End of Food. It is similar in fashion to The End of Oil in that Roberts attempts a comprehensive analysis of food production with its intricacies and weaknesses. As a theme, Roberts asks whether modern agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, as it has emerged since the Green Revolution
Green Revolution
Green Revolution refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives, occurring between the 1940s and the late 1970s, that increased agriculture production around the world, beginning most markedly in the late 1960s....
, will be able to feed a growing world population
World population
The world population is the total number of living humans on the planet Earth. As of today, it is estimated to be billion by the United States Census Bureau...
. The End of Food was described by Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan is an American author, journalist, activist, and professor of journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. A 2006 New York Times book review describes him as a "liberal foodie intellectual."...
, a professor of science and environmental journalism at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
and himself an author of food-related non-fiction, as "the best analysis of the global food economy you are likely to find."
External links
- Interview with Roberts about The End of Oil at National Public Radio on May 6, 2004 (audio)
- Interview with Roberts about The End of Food at National Public Radio on June 11, 2008 (audio)
- Roberts discussing The End of Food at the Commonwealth Club of CaliforniaCommonwealth Club of CaliforniaThe Commonwealth Club of California is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization based in Northern California. Founded in 1903, it is the oldest and largest public affairs forum in the United States...
on June 18, 2008 (video, with audio available for download) - VIDEO: Paul Roberts keynote talk at the Organicology Conference in Portland, Oregon, on February 27, 2009.