Energy use and climate. Possible effects of using solar energy instead of ''stored''energy
The use of fossil, nuclear and, to a lesser extent, geothermal energy sources throughout the world at rates possible to be attained before the year 2100 could cause an increase in average global temperature. The size and effects of such a temperature increase have not yet been calculated with any degree of certainty. The use of solar energy instead of ''stored'' energy sources would avoid the problems of waste heat release and carbon dioxide emissions and thus avoid the possibility of such a global temperature increase. However, the large areas needed for solar energy collectors could pose a problem in land use and could affect climate through changes in solar absorption and energy distribution patterns. More extensive measurements and calculations of global climate changes are needed in order to understand the causes of such changes, particularly from human activities, and to predict their impact on the earth and on human society.
- Research Organization:
- Mitre Corp., McLean, Va. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- C-938
- OSTI ID:
- 7361974
- Report Number(s):
- NSF-RA-N-75-052; M-74-66(Rev.1)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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