This book, consisting of 13 chapters, charts the progress made in renewable energy in recent years and outlines renewable energy's prospects. Areas addressed include: energy at the crossroads (discussing oil, gas, coal, nuclear power, and the conservation revolution); solar building design; solar collection; sunlight to electricity; wood; energy from crops and waste; energy from water; wind energy; and geothermal energy. Additional areas addressed include renewable energy's potential (discussing rebuilding, industry role, renewable energy for the farm and rural poor, and issues related to transportation and electricity); institutions for the transition to renewable energy (focusing on a new research and development agenda, renewable energy technology--vernacular technology, and seed money for the transition to renewable energy); and shapes of a renewable society (considering new landscapes, renewable jobs, rebalancing city and country, rising regional/local self-reliance, shifting power, and new balances between rich/poor, between nations, and between generations). Notes and selected references are provided for each chapter. Notes on energy units and an index are also provided. (JN)