Low-carbone conomy: modern view on energy concept of Serhiy Podolynsky

Abstract

The article focuses on expediency of transformation of humanity to the paradigm of the low-carbon economy as a result of restrictions or unavailability of carbohydrates, the ongoing global energy and environmental crisis. In this context, the energy concept of an outstanding thinker of the XIXth century Serhiy Podolynsky, a scientist who was ahead of his time, is relevant in modern times. It has been established that S. Podolynsky focused his attention on four issues: nature of energy, its movement and transformation; consideration of fossil fuels and efficiency of their use in the conditions prevailing at that time; studying energy as a major factor in agriculture; essence of human labour as a means of energy storage. In his fundamental work, S. Podolynsky draws attention to a need to increase efficiency of the basic fuels at that time - coal and wood, as for getting the later leads to deforestation resulting in environmental degradation. History has confirmed expediency of the major part of Serhiy Podolynsky’s ideas, particularly, ecosafety and cost-effective energy production using solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy of small rivers, geothermal energy, plant and animal waste, biofuels, etc., which are the basis of modern concepts of low-carbon economy.