About the book: 2022 / Alternative energy technologies are just developing, but political leaders around the world are paying a lot of attention to this topic. It's not just about environmental safety - a whole series of socio-political, technological, economic and ideological processes have turned alternative energy into a megatrend. Doctor of Science and recognized expert on geopolitics, energy and global security Alexander Mirchev dedicated the book “Prologue” to the study of this phenomenon. The title of the book – “Prologue” – reflects the tasks that I set for myself: to draw attention to the developing new global phenomenon by examining it from a safety point of view; introduce key actors and stakeholders; show the broad context of its development, suggesting that in the context of the technological revolution and great power rivalry, the megatrend of alternative energy has every chance of becoming a game-changing factor in many spheres of society. First of all, the author analyzes the development of alternative energy from Antiquity to the present day and considers its impact in the context of global security. Focusing on the fact that the world is experiencing a new round of superpower rivalry, Mirchev shows how this megatrend affects the balance in the geopolitical system. He also describes a new political geography of resources - since renewable energy sources, unlike fossil ones, are not tied to specific locations, their use can lead to both stabilization of the geopolitical situation and new conflicts. Mirchev identifies a number of issues that modern political actors have to face - the transformation of national defense, rethinking environmental security, changes in relations between state and society - and proposes approaches to avoid problems in these areas. The author also explains what alternative energy strategies are used by great powers and large regions, in particular the USA, China, Russia and others. The development of alternative energy is one of the megatrends of the 21st century. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biofuels, hydropower, geothermal, and tidal energy provide practical answers to energy supply and demand issues and chart the future path of human energy use and interaction with nature. Why read Understand the role of alternative energy in international politics. Understand the prospects for the development of alternative energy. Find out how the megatrend affects energy, defense, environmental and economic security. You will learn• how the fourth technological revolution influences the development of alternative energy;• how the use of renewable energy sources contributes to the “greening” of geopolitics and rethinking environmental security;• why the securitization of states is extremely important - ensuring security in the context of problems that go beyond military threats;• what political approaches and strategies will help to take advantage of the current situation and correct the geopolitical imbalance; • how solar energy, biofuels, hydropower, geothermal sources affect the geopolitical map of the world; • how nuclear energy will develop under conditions of nuclear deterrence. For whom: For those who deal with geopolitics and geo-economics, specialize in issues of energy, ecology, global and national security and defense.