We live like kings. At least that’s what most of the world thinks of Americans, economic downturn notwithstanding. And humanity throughout history would see us the same way. How did we get to the quality of life that would make emperors jealous? We got here with fossil fuels, and lots of them. The energy sector … Continue reading »
What’s Next After Copenhagen?
A year or two ago, people expected Copenhagen to produce the equivalent of the Kyoto Protocol – a comprehensive climate roadmap for the next decade or more. It seems unlikely that the Copenhagen meeting will live up to those expectations, although there’s always the chance of a last-minute surprise. What does seem clear, however, is … Continue reading »
The Urgency of a Low-Carbon Economy
The world and the US need a victory on climate – but thankfully important innovations taking place in both the science and policy worlds offer hope that climate protection and economic productivity could be brought together to serve both.
The climate won’t wait for an inadequate international agreement
Something will be agreed upon in Copenhagen…the real issue is whether or not it will be effective in dealing with the enormous threat to civilization posed by sea level rise, drought and famine, ecosystem destruction, and other consequences of climate warming. My concern is that action in Copenhagen will simply take the form of agreement … Continue reading »
Toward climate-change mitigation
The global population is 6 billion and our collective use of fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas — releases to the atmosphere about 6 billion tons of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide every year. Under “business as usual,” emissions will continue to rise, perhaps tripling by the end of this century. … Continue reading »