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CARBON DIOXIDE FROM FOSSIL FUELS: ADAPTING TO UNCERTAINTY
Citation:
Chen, K., R. Winter, AND M. Bergman. CARBON DIOXIDE FROM FOSSIL FUELS: ADAPTING TO UNCERTAINTY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-80/325.
Description:
The paper discusses the general effect and control of CO2. The world is likely to experience noticeable global warming by the beginning of the next century if high annual growth rates of fossil fuel energy use continue. Only with optimistic assumptions and low growth rates will CO2-induced temperature increases be held below 2 degrees C or so over the next century. Conservation, flexible energy choices, and control options could lessen the potential effects of CO2. Though perhaps impractical from the standpoint of costs and effeciency losses, large coastal centralized facilities would be the most amenable to CO2 control and disposal. Yet no country can control CO2 levels unilaterally. The U.S., however, which currently contributes over 25% of all fossil fuel CO2 emissions and possesses 25% of the world's coal resources, could assume a much needed role in leadership, research, and education.