The Challenge to our Energy

The dawn of the new millennium is an environmental milestone. During the twentieth century, the temperature has risen by 0.5-1 F, the sea level by 4-10 inches, and rainfall by 1% globally. The rate of temperature change is now faster than it has ever been over 10,000 years. Global warming and its consequences are due in large part to our use of carbon-rich fuel through the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities is carbon dioxide (CO2), the second most important one is methane. The largest source of CO2 and of overall greenhouse gases in the US is fossil fuel combustion. In North America, cars account for nearly half the oil consumed, and about half the urban pollution and one fourth the greenhouse gases.

The Hazards

The atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases is 30% higher than it was at the beginning of the industrial revolution. If this trend continues, the greenhouse gases concentrations will reach twice today’s level by 2100. As a result, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects, over the next century, a temperature increase of 1 to 3.5 C and a sea level rise of 15 to 95 cm, as well as a likely increase in precipitation intensity.

The Pollutants

Other pollutants emitted by burning fossil fuels are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Carbon monoxide is toxic to human beings. Nitrogen oxides, emitted by all internal combustion engines, are the key ingredients in the formation of smog, which is detrimental to human health by causing lung damage and eye irritation. Volatile hydrocarbons contribute to ozone formation and thus to smog. Particulate matter may cause lung damage.

The Vision

While fossil fuels have driven industrial and social progress over the millennia, they have left us with rapidly accumulating environmental damage. It is timely and even urgent to change how we fuel society.

The Legacy and Quality of Life

Natural ecosystems and our socioeconomic systems are both sensitive to the magnitude and rate of climate change. These expected changes may potentially disrupt our economy and our quality of life through:

	Increased health problems due to heat and disease
	Food security may be threatened in some places
	Water resources will be stressed in certain regions
	Human habitat reduction in regions vulnerable to sea level rise
	Reduction of biodiversity due to degradation of natural ecosystems

The Warnings

Changes in temperature, precipitation, moisture, sea-level add major stresses to ecological and socioeconomic systems, already affected by pollution, non-sustainable practices and increasing resource extraction. Reduced biodiversity impacts the goods and services ecosystems provide to society such as pharmaceuticals and recreational areas. Urban pollution is already a costly problem to health and property: some cities such as Mexico must now restrict the use of vehicles in order to curtail pollution. Developing countries are more vulnerable to these changes.

Without some change, we will experience significant effects on our quality of life.