Some long-range speculations about coal. [CO/sub 2/ problems of greatly expanded use]

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5364269· OSTI ID:5364269

Weinberg, A M; Marland, G H

Should the world demand for energy increase sixfold within the next 50 years, largely because the underdeveloped countries industrialize, and if half this demand is met by coal, then the estimated world recoverable resource of coal of 4 x 10/sup 12/ metric tons would last at this asymptotic level about 140 years. The carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is then estimated to increase about threefold. These two eventualities may place limits on our ultimate use of coal. The risk of a CO/sub 2/ accumulation inherent in the widespread use of coal is in a sense analogous to the risk of nuclear proliferation: both problems are global, uncertain, and could pose profound challenges to man's future.

• Research Organization: Institute for Energy Analysis, Oak Ridge, Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-05-0033
• OSTI ID: 5364269
• Report Number(s): ORAU/IEA(O)-77-22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
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COAL RESERVES
CONSUMPTION RATES
ENERGY DEMAND
FORECASTING
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
CARBON DIOXIDE
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
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ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECONOMICS
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CARBON COMPOUNDS
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CHALCOGENIDES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXIDES
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THERMAL POWER PLANTS
010900* - Coal
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294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal
292000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
015000 - Coal
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