The relationship between energy and security has been receiving increasing attention over the last few years. Energy literally drives the global economy. Societies rely on it for everything from advanced medical equipment to heating, cooling, and irrigation. Whether it derives from advanced nuclear reactors in developed nations or simple wood stoves in the developing world, energy is recognized as vital to human welfare. It influences our economic, political, and social policies. Possessing or not possessing sufficient energy determines a state's political and economic power. Competition for energy has been, is, and will be a source of conflict. The choices nation-states make when it comes to energy will have a profound bearing on a wide range of security concerns, from nuclear proliferation to climate change.

"November 2012."

Introduction / Carolyn W. Pumphrey -- 1. Energy and security keynote / Alan Hegburg -- Questions and answers -- 2. Fossil fuels. Oil and global security / Anne Korin -- Protecting the prize / Eugene Gholz -- Coal, climate change, and conflict / Kevin Book -- Commentary / Rosemary Kelanic -- Questions and answers -- 3. Alternative energy : nuclear and water. Introduction / Alex Roland -- Nuclear proliferation / Steven N. Miller -- Pathways between civilian and military nuclear power / Man-Sung Yim -- The water-energy-security nexus / Carey King -- Nuclear energy and the military / James Bartis -- Energy, environment, and security / Alex Roland ... [et al.] -- Comparative security of different technologies / Alex Roland ... [et al.] -- Questions and answers -- 4. Alternative energy from a security perspective. Hidden costs of energy / James Trainham ... [et al.] -- Climate vs. economics : security implications of energy choices / James Trainham ... [et al.] -- Shale gas : a key to energy security? / James Trainham ... [et al.] -- Alternative energy and international relations / James Trainham ... [et al.] -- Questions and answers -- 5. The political environment and U.S. energy security. Rising great powers and competition for energy / Bernard Cole -- Unconventional trade threats to energy supplies / Robert F. Cekuta -- Smart grid vulnerabilities to cyber attacks / John Bumgarner -- Commentary / Stephen Kelly -- Questions and answers -- 6. Solutions / Vikram Rao, William Boettcher, and Douglas Lovelace.