How can we provide clean safe sustainable energy supplies for the world despite rising population levels & increasing economic development? Today energy & sustainability are of primary concern & form the focus of this book & its companion volume Renewable Energy Interdisciplinary in its approach & global in its perspective this book provides a contemporary exploration of the economic social environmental & policy issues raised by current systems of energy use as well as describing their key physical & engineering features The historical evolution of the world's energy systems the principles underlying their use & their present status & future prospects are analysed while emphasizing the important issue of sustainability Beginning with a survey of basic energy concepts the book describes the magnitude & patterns of human energy needs at various levels Focus then turns to an overview of the fossil & nuclear-fuelled energy that together with hydroelectric power & traditional biofuels supply most of the world's commercial energy needs Sections on economics describes the basic methods by which the monetary costs of energy are calculated & discuss the issue of 'external' costs of energy production The concluding chapters consider the sustainabliity problems associated with both fossil & nuclear fuel use & ways in which they might be ameliorated by various technological & social developments This is done in the context of a rising use of renewable energy Extensive coverage of the important concepts & issues underpinning modern energy production & its future prospects Adopts an interdisciplinary approach making the text readable by engineer & policy maker alike Online Resource Centre The Online Resource Centre to accompany Energy systems & Sustainability features For students Links to sources of further information & up-to-date energy statistics Self-assessment questions For registered adopters of the book Figures from the book available for download