Global warming continues to be the subject of many letters to the editor. Of course it is very laudable that we should endeavor to increase solar, wind and hydro energy, but the brutal fact is that the world effort to replace fossil fuels is failing. The problem is the growth in energy demand brought on by the increase in world population together with its increasing affluence. The U.S., China and India have increased their “green” energy production by several hundred percent but the latest figures show that the combined “green” energy output (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear) is still only about 10 percent of the world’s energy requirement; the rest is produced from coal, oil and gas. Since it would be difficult to slow down demand for a better standard of living, in order to allow “green” energy to catch up then we will have to adapt to a warmer planet and hope nature is merciful.
If man-made CO2 is having a disastrous effect, this news is falling on deaf ears because the search for more oil, coal and gas goes on. And, obviously, if it’s found it will be burned. The solution is for the “greens: to put on a massive spurt and produce enough cheap energy to under-price the fossil burners and put them out of business; a forlorn hope I fear.
Roger Sayer
Mukilteo
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