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The interplay of climate change, emission regulations, and burgeoning energy demand in the U.S., China, and India is reshaping the global energy landscape. Each factor heightens the costs of fossil fuel dependence, while peak oil and natural gas supply constraints present additional challenges. As we face ecological consequences and health effects, it is crucial that solutions do not exacerbate existing problems. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy through energy conservation and efficiency is essential for sustainable progress. Our past energy transitions offer valuable lessons for the future.
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Global Energy Issues Climate Change / Emissions Regulations Burgeoning Demand – U.S., China, India… Security On its own, each issue increases the costs of fossil fuels or of using fossil fuels Ecological Consequences Peak Oil, Natural Gas / Supply Constraints Health Effects
Who we are determines what we focus on Climate Change / Emissions Regulations Burgeoning Demand – U.S., China, India… Security “New Environmentalist” “Patriot” “Businessman” “Doctor” “Old Environmentalist” “Oil-man” Ecological Consequences Peak Oil, Natural Gas / Supply Constraints Health Effects
Solutions for these Energy Issues Climate Change / Emissions Regulations Burgeoning Demand – U.S., China, India… Security All renewable energy, coal… Nuclear, Renewable Energy, “Clean” Coal… Energy from all sources, wars… All renewable energy except large scale hydro… Energy from all sources, wars… All renewable energy except biomass… Ecological Consequences Peak Oil, Natural Gas / Supply Constraints Health Effects
These Issues are Converging! Climate Change / Emissions Regulations Burgeoning Demand – U.S., China, India… Security All renewable energy, coal… Nuclear, Renewable Energy, ”Clean” Coal… Energy from all sources, wars… We can no longer develop/afford solutions that solve one problem but exacerbate others Energy from all sources, wars… All renewable energy except biomass… All renewable energy except large scale hydro… Ecological Consequences Health Effects Peak Oil, Natural Gas / Supply Constraints
Implications of Convergence • Fossil fuels will become unaffordable rapidly • The only solution that fits in the intersection of these circles is the combination of energy conservation, efficiency, and generation from renewable resources • The transition to the era of renewable energies has already begun • We need to accelerate this transition
We have made energy transitions before • Whale blubber kerosene • Kerosene electricity • Electricity from coal electricity from natural gas • And now…fossil fuels to alternatives