Our Future Energy Needs

Photo Source: Per Forby

In the latest issue of Popular Science magazine, there is an interesting article on our current and future renewable energy needs.  In December, the United Nations convenes climate talks to replace the expiring Kyoto climate treaty.  The consensus amongst the international scientific community is that we need to reduce our greenhouse emissions to 80% lower than the 1990 levels by 2050.

To achieve this goal, there is a daunting amount of work ahead.  First, we need to replace the millions of acres of trees lost to deforestation.  This will help capture our emissions, purify our air and help with water management.  Second, we all need to do the “little stuff” to maximize efficiencies that we often talk about on our website.  Recycling needs to increase, all homes need to be weatherized and everyone’s light bulbs need to be replaced.  Finally, we need to focus on producing clean, renewable energy and transmitting it through an upgraded and smart electrical grid.  Below is a list from the article of our current and future renewable energy needs to maintain our high standard of living.

                              Where We Are                      What We Need

Solar Power             12.4 GW                               2000 GW

Hydro Power            31 GW                                 67 GW

Bio Fuels                  643K barrels per day              34 million

Wind Power             94 GW                                 2000 GW

Safer Nuclear           372 GW                                700 GW

Geothermal              10 GW                                  700 GW

Fossil Fuels              1460 GW                              3830 GW (all clean)          

*GW = Gigawatt or 1 billion watts