I think this one is probably do-able, if everyone would get on board.
Each of these steps would reduce carbon emissions by at least 1 billion tons per year by 2054. Implementing at least seven of them brings us to the scale necessary to meet the climate challenge, but we have to start now, and move quickly. We have a ten-year window in which we need to be well on the way to achieving these steps.
The good news is that we have the technology and know-how to accomplish all of these steps right now. The best news is that we don't just save the climate with these steps. They bring us real energy security, more jobs, a cleaner environment, real progress on the war against poverty, and a safer world. Let's get started today.
1. Increase fuel economy for the world's 2 billion cars from an average of 30 mpg to 60 mpg. (Current US averages are a woeful 22 mpg.)
2. Cut back on driving. Decrease car travel for 2 billion 30-mpg cars from 10,000 to 5,000 miles per year, through increased use of mass transit, telecommuting, and walking and biking.
3. Increase energy efficiency by one-quarter in existing buildings and appliances. Move to zero-emissions plans for new buildings.
4. Decrease tropical deforestation to zero, and double the rate of new tree plantings.
5. Stop soil erosion. Apply "conservation tillage" techniques to cropland at 10 times the current usage. Encourage local, organic agriculture.
6. Increase wind power. Add 3 million 1-megawatt windmills, 75 times the current capacity.
7. Push hard for solar power. Add 3,000 gigawatt-peak solar photovoltaic units, 1,000 times current capacity.
8. Increase efficiency of coal plants from an average of 32 percent efficiency to 60 percent, and shut down plants that don't meet the standard. No net new coal plants; for new plants built, an equal number should close.
9. Replace 1,400 gigawatts of coal with natural gas, a four-fold increase in natural gas usage over current levels — a short-term step until zero-emissions renewable technologies can replace natural gas.
10. Sequester carbon dioxide at existing coal plants. Sequestration involves storing carbon dioxide underground, an unproven technology that may, nonetheless, be better than nothing.
11. Develop zero-emissions vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles powered by renewable energy.
12. Develop biomass as a short-term replacement for fossil fuel until better carbon-free technologies are developed — but only biofuels made from waste, and made without displacing farmland and rainforests.
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Comments: 6
Your list is a good one, but we are not yet using it as a roadmap. I am struck by how much it differs from Bush's itinerary as expressed last night. If you want to see my full reaction to his so called "green" agenda, see my article above: "Oil and climate: a rebuttal..."
I think that the problem is that we are in neutral and need a boost to start moving. I believe that a carbon tax would get all kinds of things to happen quickly, whereas Bush's tinkering around the edges and meaningless promises never quite result in action. The key for me is to interfere with the marketplace in a way that uses the power of the profit motive, instead of abandoning the marketplace to the idiot motivator of short term thinking. A carbon tax would make us all sit up and take notice. We would no longer be tempted to buy a Hummer by virtue of rationalizing the notion that real increases in gasoline costs could be years down the road.
But a carbon tax is the last thing the man would sign. He prefers to throw money at corn ethanol, a silly fuel that takes nearly as much gasoline to cultivate and process as it saves in use. But there are midwestern votes to be had, and that trumps environmental concerns. Clearly Bush does not have any real conviction in this area, it is all for show.
We can always hope though! Something drastic does need to be done, and soon.
Nice article and very well written!
I notice that you do not mention nuclear. This source has the potential to replace all fossil fuel sources for generating electrical and, in doing so, eliminates the worry about coal and gas plants. Both coal and natural gas are using finite natural resources and we need something longer enduring.
In farming, the most ecologically efficient means should be employed with the exception that there is no way to raise the worlds food supply with organic methods and I doubt that anyone would espouse a "successful famine" as a means to better the earth. Small area organic farms are a great idea.
http://www.coopamerica.org/
I think nuclear power brings along a whole other set of issues to worry about....solar, geothermal, and wind power is so much safer!
I know that I would go solar if there were better tax breaks, etc., but currently it is cost prohibitive.