Reducing the problem of global warming

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5207023

Rose, D J; Agnew, C; Miller, M M

This article proposes an international strategy for dealing with the warming of the earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide injected into it by the burning of fossil fuels. The strategy is based on increasing the efficiency of using energy and adopting CO/sub 2/-benign energy policies. Topics considered include the causes and effects of the warming, energy models and modeling, assessing the options, and different scenarios for energy use and CO/sub 2/ emissions. The greenhouse effect stems from the different reactions of atmospheric carbon dioxide with different forms of radiant energy. The most CO/sub 2/-benign scenario combines all possible nonfossil trends, including the successful development of solar power, lower costs for nuclear power, a 1% annual improvement in end-use efficiency, the greater availability of unconventional energy resources, and higher coal prices. All analyses show that conclusive evidence of a human-induced greenhouse effect will not emerge until some time between 1990 and the early 2000s. The discussed modeling shows that the rate of increase of atmospheric CO/sub 2/ from burning fossil-fuels can be significantly reduced through CO/sub 2/-benign energy strategies. Includes a map.

• Research Organization: M.I.T., Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 5207023
• Journal Information: Technol. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Technol. Rev.; (United States); ISSN TEREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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