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Introduction with a Focus on Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change

2014; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/b978-0-08-099424-6.00001-6

2832-0328

Trevor M. Letcher,

Climate Change Policy and Economics

In this chapter, we look at driving forces behind the need to consider new forms of energy, the looming problem of global warming and climate change, the options for electricity generation and for transport fuel, the energy situation today, the big question: How can we reduce the stranglehold that fossil fuels have on our economy and lives? The energy choices we make will depend on where we live, the size of our population, and also on the types of energy sources that are available. For example, people in Iceland beyond any doubt will consider expanding their renewable sources of geothermal and wind energy, whereas those living in South Africa will certainly consider solar energy, among many other possibilities. At the same time, account should be taken of the polluting nature of the energy source and it is our responsibility to assure that whatever energy source we utilise, we do it in an environmentally sound manner. And if one cannot steer totally away from fossil fuels the resultant carbon dioxide and other pollutants should be either sequestered and stored or utilised and not emitted to the atmosphere.