global
energy problems, energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions,
acid rain, climate change, dependency on foreign
oil, fossil and nuclear fuels, politically unstable
regions, primary energy demand, atmospheric, water,
and land pollution, toxic waste
The use and cost of energy affects each of us every
day of our lives. Many issues arise from the use
of energy: greenhouse gas emissions, acid rain,
climate change, dependency on depleting supplies
of fossil fuels — especially from politically
unstable regions of the world.
Today, 80% of the world's electrical production
comes from fossil and nuclear fuels, and virtually
all transportation is fueled by liquid petroleum
(gasoline).
The World Energy Council projects primary energy
demand will triple by 2050, as population grows
to 8-9 billion and developing nations elevate living
standards.
The fossil fuels by definition are nonrenewable
and are destined to run out — so economies
will be forced to change as these fuels are depleted.
Rich nations will be insulated a bit longer, yet
scarcity will surely create geopolitical tensions.
The emissions from the burning of fossil and nuclear
fuels creates atmospheric, water, and land pollution
and toxic waste. The United Nations Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says this combustion
is causing a discernible change of the global weather
and climate patterns that will affect all humanity
in decades to come.
