Energy

Brown gets to energy in chapter 3, linked to global warming

Brown recognizes that sustainability pivots on energy, relates to so much else. See discussion below. This is a strategic decision by the author. Get current price here.

First world consumers = target audience

Brown wants to appeal to first world consumers as the audience for Plan B 4.0. This appears a tactical move. We, his U.S. audience, consume maybe too much energy. He's talking to us.

Does not start with climate change, directly

But energy production, consumption, and policy are basic to climate change. This is how Brown sets up the rest of Part I. Later, his policy analysis on global warming will hinge on fossil fuels.

Does not start with global poverty

U.N. Millennium Project does start with global poverty. Both energy and environment are interpreted within that context.

Peak Oil is imminent and seismic

This is a big deal, seismic on a civilizational level. Maybe. What do you think? What can go wrong? What assumptions will drastically change.