Low-cost energy production: The responsibility of the developed countries toward the less-developed

Conference · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:10137068

Oversby, V M

In recent years, the world has begun to develop an awareness of the environmental costs of economic expansion and development. The most widely recognized problems include depletion of the ozone layer, the effects of toxic chemicals on soils, groundwater, and wildlife, and the danger of global climate change through the accumulation of ``greenhouse`` gases in the atmosphere. In one area, that of ozone depletion, the nations of the world were able to quickly reach a consensus and take action to try to slow, if not stop, the depletion. In the area of global climate change, the ability to reach a consensus is less likely. This is because the production of greenhouse gases is intimately linked to the production of energy, and increases in energy production in the developing nations of the world will be needed if they are to develop their economies and the standard of living for their peoples. It is also highly unlikely that the nations of the developed world will be willing to lower their standard of living in order to allow that of less developed countries to be raised. In my opinion, this dilemma presents a formidable challenge and a great opportunity for both the technical community and the policy makers in the developed nations.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 10137068
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC--109004; CONF-9110127--3; ON: DE92011534
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200
CLIMATIC CHANGE
COST
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY
ENERGY
ENERGY POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GREENHOUSE GASES
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION