Dear Colleague,

The study of energy has played a pivotal role in understanding the creation of the universe, the origin of life, and the evolution of human civilization. Advances in our understanding of energy have produced unparalleled transformations of society, as exemplified by James Watt's steam engine and the discovery of oil. Formalization of the concept of energy and identification of the laws governing its use in the 19th century are cornerstones of modern science.

Energy pervades every aspect of human life. It is an important motor of economic growth, while in the environmental dimension, energy extraction, conversion and use cause environmental stress at global and local levels. In the social dimension, energy is a prerequisite for the fulfilment of many basic human needs and services, and inequities in energy provision and quality often manifest themselves as issues of social justice.

The Encyclopedia of Energy is an exhaustive, wide-ranging, and authoritative reference on all aspects of energy. It uses a unified, integrated approach that emphasizes not only the importance of the concept in individual disciplines, but also how energy bridges seemingly disparate fields such as history, ecology and economics.

The Encyclopedia will serve as the entry point to the field for the specialist or the non-specialist looking for information on a subject related to their own expertise. Library and information scientists may use it as a first point of reference for research into a particular field of energy. Managers and policy makers may refer to it in their decision-making. Alternatively, it could be used by practicing professionals searching for a specific detail, or students trying to gain an overview of the essentials of a subject. Thus, the readers of the Encyclopedia will include undergraduate and graduate students, academics, and research scientists who study energy, as well as business corporations, professional firms, government agencies, foundations, and other groups whose activities relate to energy.

Sincerely,

Cutler J. Cleveland