The impact of global warming on the energy system

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5651257

Fulkerson, W ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

One of the most important impacts of global warming may be the changes in the energy system which result not from warming per se but from societal reactions to the prospect of warming. Changing the energy system from being 80% dependent on fossil fuels will be difficult at best and expensive. In fact, none of the nonfossil energy sources are yet ready to substitute for fossil fuels at the massive scale required or at reasonable costs. So, for the near to mid-term the best strategy for moderating the rate of increase of CO{sub 2} in the atmosphere is by much more efficient use and conversion of energy. Nevertheless, sustained reduction of emissions requires better nonfossil sources and expanded RD D efforts necessary to provide the insurance we need. It is evidenced that a combined public and private sector investment of $$1 {times} 10{sup 6}/year is needed. This compares to the current level of energy R D which is estimated to cost in the range of $$3 to 6 billion/year. Thus, our insurance is about a 16-33% increase. The investment is likely to yield good returns in the form of improved technologies which will be useful whether or not the changing greenhouse effect is as serious as many fear.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5651257
• Report Number(s): CONF-8909192-1; ON: DE89017775
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONCENTRATION RATIO
COST
DEMAND
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SUPPLIES
FORECASTING
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS