Worldwatch Institute's State of the World 2013 discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by changing the way we produce and use energy. A July 23rd, World Watch press release notes that global Co2 emissions from fossil fuel energy combustion grew by 34 percent from 2000 to 2010. As a consequence we can expect to see temperature increases of as much as 6 degrees Celsius this century unless we take swift action. As explained in the World Watch press release, "The transition away from fossil fuels is not one of convenience, but of moral and ecological necessity." The press release went on to quote some of the remarks of a few contributors to The State of the World 2013 report.
According to University of Michigan professor Thomas Princen and his co-authors, in order to prevent disastrous environmental impacts we must not only reduce emissions we must end our reliance on fossil fuels and keep the vast majority of remaining hydrocarbons in the ground. These researchers suggest that whatever fossil fuels we do extract should be used for building a renewable energy infrastructure.
It is possible for renewable energy to fully meet global energy demands. As associate professor of physics at the University of California, Tom Murphy notes "If there is to be a transition to a sustainable energy regime, it's best to begin it now. If society waits until energy scarcity demands an energy transition, it risks falling into an 'Energy Trap' in which aggressive use of scarce remaining easily-harnessed energy resources to develop a new energy infrastructure leaves less available to society overall."
We need to use money generated by the old energy economy to fund renewable energy says Eric Zencey, fellow of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont.
Phillip Saieg, of the US Green Building Council, suggests that the quickest and most financially feasible way to lessen the amount of carbon being added to the atmosphere is by "greening" existing buildings.
Regardless of the path we take to get there, the report is clear in its warning that we must quickly bring an end to the fossil fuel age.
© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
Related Articles
Pursuing a Moratorium on New Fossil Fuel Development
European Commissioner for Climate Action Urges Development Banks to Divest from Fossil Fuels
Curbing Fossil Fuels is Essential to Climate Change Mitigation
A Large and Growing Chorus is Calling for an End to Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Video - Bill McKibben on Faith & Fossil Fuel Divestment
Pursuing a Moratorium on New Fossil Fuel Development
Fossil Fuel Action Day Divestment Strategy
Video - A Debate about the 350.org Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign
Video - Bill McKibben Makes the Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment at Middlebury College
Video - Do the Math: The Movie
Fossil Fuel Powered Carbon Bombs
Video - Debate: McKibben vs. Epstein—Are Fossil Fuels a Risk to the Planet?
The Implications of the US being a Global Leader in Fossil Fuel Production
Students Advocating Divestment from Fossil Fuels
Burning Fossil Fuels and Staying Within the 2 Degree Limit
President Clinton on What People Need to Know about Renewable Energy
Fossil Fuels are the Most Hated Industry in the US
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Totaling One Trillion Per Year
Success of the #EndFossilFuelSubsidies Campaign
Rio+20: 350.org Campaign to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Obama Striving to Put an End to Oil Subsidies
Environmental Politics: Obama Versus the GOP
GOP Fights Removal of Oil Subsidies
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Obama's Call for an End to Oil Subsidies
Tell the G20 to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies Now
The G20 and the Transition to a Greener Economy
Scientists Urge Government Action on Climate Including Removing Oil Subsidies
4 Principles for Climate and Energy Legislation
Independence Day: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels
0 comments:
Post a Comment