arbon dioxide is thought to be responsible for 70% of global warming.
Many scientists believe that the odds of catastrophic global climate change
increase as carbon dioxide comes nearer to doubling the pre-industrial
levels. Therefore, for the first time, nations of the world are attempting
to exercise deliberate, collective foresight on a risk whose full impact
is unclear and will not be felt for decades. In short, they want to act
before potential consequences become inevitable.
Decreasing the burning of fossil fuels, conserving energy by making the
best use of electricity, and changing to cleaner energy sources is the
way to stop the rise of CO 2, as well as the way to eliminate many other
pollutants from our air. Many of the ingredients of ozone, the highly
corrosive, lung-damaging gas that makes SMOG, are produced by burning
fossil fuels.
Clean Energy is One Answer
Globally, the use of electricity is growing. In this country, about 40%
of all fuel is converted to electricity before the energy is consumed.
A modern utility plant that converts natural gas instead of coal to electricity,
emits much less carbon and wastes only about half of the fuel. Cleanest
of all is producing electric power from no-fuel, renewable technologies
like solar and wind. If wind power production were to grow about 33% annually
for the next few decades until the old coal-fired power plants that produce
almost 1/3rd of American carbon dioxide emissions are ready to be retired,
then wind could replace coal for carbon-free electricity.
Make the best use of electricity possible in order to reduce carbon emissions.
Challenge your "energy savvy" by visiting our Model Home.
Fuel transportation with electricity. This is the only major economic
sector where little is used, but this is changing. Many car manufacturers
are developing electric models that extract 3 times the energy per unit
of fuel as current gasoline engines. Also, these cars are zero emitters
of air pollutants that poison our air and ruin our health.
There are all manner of energy saving devices ready for development for
the 21st century. These include photovoltaic, fuel cells, biomass fuels,
fluorescent lights, insulating windows, stingy thermostats and miserly
appliances. Support these and other new technologies that can help us
live smarter and better.
Next
- Issues and Policies...
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![Solar Energy](graphics/SolarArray_2.jpg)
![Wind Energy](graphics/WindTurbines.jpg)
![Clean buses](graphics/FuelCellBus_2.jpg)
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