Environment today

Journal Article · Mon May 29 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.201.4353.320· OSTI ID:5626504

Train, R E

Mr. Train says natural systems of the earth appear to be in considerable trouble. He feels that the upsurge in environmental concern in the 1960s and 1970s was the result of the populace realizing that there was a solution for the problem - that society has the capability to make significant changes for the better. He finds hope in the analysis that the time has come for a comparable upsurge in public demand for a shining new cause - solar energy; and further, solar alternatives are now pie-in-the-sky but are based on technologies and processes widely available today. Mr. Train does not suggest that we discard fossil fuels and nuclear power, but that we need to act to develop new sources of conventional energy, including outer continental shelf oil and gas and synthetic fuels, as well as to press the greater utilization of coal. He says firmly that we need to get away from our tunnel-visioned concentration on energy sources that are by definition exhaustible - and give massive priority to solar. He separates out particular elements of the environmental picture for analysis and evaluation, addressing the environmental programs, a coal utilization program, water quality, government regulations, and emphasizes finally the maintenance of life. With time running out on natural systems of the earth, the need for a comprehensive program worldwide to preserve and protect representative ecosystems is stressed. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 5626504
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Vol. 56:22; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
530200 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Assessment of Energy Technologies-- (-1989)
ACID RAIN
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EVALUATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
RAIN
RECOMMENDATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR ENERGY
URBAN AREAS