Climategate Emails, Snow Give Global-Warming Skeptics Ammo—Are They Right?

While Climate Change adds to the potential urgency of the global climate scenario, that Humankind's ability to influence it is perhaps somewhat debatable does not alter the long-term direction domestic and global energy policies must follow.

Strong evidence supports at least moderate-case scenarios of the global detriments to climate change through drought, famine, flooding, and economic loss. The likelihood of global climatic change requires the enactment of progressive, practical policies to mitigate damage that is already forecast to occur (not so unlike carrying home, auto, and life insurance in the event of catastrophe).

Climate change notwithstanding, we are still faced with depletion of non-renewable sources of energy (oil, coal, natural gas). Developing economies will be increasing their energy consumption as their standard of living rises; more than half the world is classified as “developing”. As such, huge increases in energy consumption are forecast to occur, the question being what resources will make up the mix.

Fossil fuels are inherently dirty, from mining, drilling, processing, and final emission at the point of energy production. Particulates, mercury, sulfur-, nitrous oxides, sludge, and associated waste streams are concomitant products, especially so with coal and oil. The health of the land, water, air, wildlife, and humans, are all adversely affected through release of these substances into the environment.

While we will continue to use fossil resources for energy, we must transition to the use of renewable technologies that include solar, wind, tidal, and appropriately managed biofuel resources. One should keep in mind that the cheapest, most readily form of energy available is that which is not used. Estimates of energy waste in the United States are in the 40-60% range! Demand-side (user) energy management through high-efficiency energy-consuming devices in the home, business, and industry are paramount to achieving the goal of reducing per-capita and aggregate energy consumption. Pertinent to consider is the distinction between per-capita energy consumption; for while per-capita consumption may decrease through gains in efficiency, an ever-increasing population (global and within the U.S.) will increase total energy use. Population stabilization is tantamount to successfully addressing the disparity between what this planet can provide, and what we consume.

Rhett of ID 7:27PM May 04, 2010