How can we limit GHG emissions? Greenhouse gas emissions are now tightly coupled to energy policy. As shown in the Table below, reduction of GHG for the United States by the use of alternative energy sources alone will be very difficult because the projected growth in energy use is high. On the other hand, conservation efforts can have major impact in GHG reduction by curbing the growth in energy demand. The table suggests that biomass and coal with carbon dioxide sequestering may be significant contributors for GHG reduction. However, large scale sequestering of CO₂ for power generating plants has not been demonstrated as a practical application.

Potential US GHG Reduction in 25 Years

See Options Analysis

1. First-cut estimate of contribution to GHG in 25 years,
2. Likely projection with 70s-type energy crises effort
3. All out maximum effort

The GHG reduction potential shown in the table above is limited to the United States for a 25-year period. Although major European nations and Japan are making important advances in GHG reduction, China's growing industrial economy will soon make it the world's worst emitter of greenhouse gases. The United States must set an example by significantly reducing its GHG emissions in order to apply political pressure on developing nations, such as China and India, to reduce GHG emissions. If greenhouse reductions are achieved over the next century, as shown in the figures below, global warming effects will be limited.

http://zfacts.com/p/833.html | 01/18/12 07:18 GMT
Modified: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:43:04 GMT