Energy transitions are fundamental processes behind the evolution of human societies: they both drive and are driven by technical, economic, and social changes. In a bold and provocative argument, Energy Transitions: History, Requirements, Prospects describes the history of modern society's dependence on fossil fuels and the prospects for the transition to a nonfossil world. Vaclav Smil, who has published more on various aspects of energy than any working scientist, makes it clear that this transition will not be accomplished easily, and that it cannot be accomplished within the timetables established by the Obama administration.The book begins with a survey of the basic properties of modern energy systems. It then offers detailed explanations of universal patterns of energy transitions, the peculiarities of changing energy use in the world's leading economies, and the coming shifts from fossil fuels to renewable conversions. Specific cases of these transitions are analyzed for eight of the world's leading energy consumers. The author closes with perspectives on the nature and pace of the coming energy transition to renewable conversions.

能源转型是人类社会演变背后的基本过程：它们既推动了技术、经济和社会变革，也被其所推动。能源转型》以大胆和挑衅性的论点，描述了现代社会对化石燃料的依赖历史。历史、要求、前景》描述了现代社会依赖化石燃料的历史以及向非化石燃料世界过渡的前景。瓦茨拉夫-斯米尔在能源的各个方面发表的文章比任何在职科学家都要多，他清楚地表明，这种过渡不会轻易完成，也不可能在奥巴马政府制定的时间表内完成。然后，它详细解释了能源转型的普遍模式，世界主要经济体能源使用变化的特殊性，以及即将到来的从化石燃料到可再生能源的转变。对世界上八个主要能源消费国的这些转型的具体案例进行了分析。最后，作者对即将到来的能源转型的性质和速度提出了看法。