Global Warming and Energy Policy

ISBN-13: 9781461354970 / Angielski / Miękka / 2012 / 220 str.

Behram N. Kursunogammalu; Stephan L. Mintz; Behram N. Kursunogammalu

Opis

The first part of the conference explores two major environmental concerns that arise from fuel use: (1) the prospect that the globe will become warmer as a result of emissions of carbon dioxide, and (2) the effect upon health of the fine particles emitted as combustion products. The conference focused on the fact that there was lack of data direct enough to enable us to predict an entirely satisfactory result, and that makes policy options particularly difficult. With regard to (1) above, in the second half of the 20th century there were major increases in anthropogenic C02 emissions, and it is generally agreed that these were responsible for an increase in C02 concentrations. But the relationship between global temperature and CO2 concentrations remains murky. The principal problem is that water vapor is a more important greenhouse gas than C02 and that the concentrations of water vapor vary widely in time and space. The approach to this problem is probably, but not certainly, a positive feedback effect: as temperature increases so does the water vapor leading to further temperature increases. Scientists associated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tend to believe the general features of the models. Other scientists are often less convinced.

Spis treści

Introduction. Five Issues; E. Teller, B.N. Kursunogammalu. Some Global Environmental Issues of Public Concern; R. Wilson. A Scientific Assessment of Emission of Greenhouse Gases into the Atmosphere. Free Market Approaches to Controlling Carbon Dioxide Emissions to the Atmosphere; K. Lackner, et al. The Precautionary Principle: A Guide for Action; J. Couture. Nuclear Power - Meeting Tomorrow's Electrical Generation Paradigm; C.K. Paulson. Nuclear Energy and Environment: Facts and Myths. Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century; L. Bennett, C.P. Zaleski. Nuclear Plant Financial Performance in a Restructured Utility System; S. Brewer. Global Warming - An Opportunity for Nuclear Power? Well Yes, But; P. Beck, M. Grimston. Near-Term Demonstration of Benign, Sustainable, Nuclear Power; C.E. Walter. Energy Technologies and Climate Change: A World and European Outlook; D. Rossetti di Valdalbero. Global Warming: A Science Overview; M.C. MacCracken. Is Nuclear Energy Going to Miss Its Environment Mission? J. Eibenschutz. California's Electricity Problem - and the Potential World Energy Disasters; B. Wolfe. Nuclear Energy, Non-Proliferation, and Other Considerations. Non-Proliferation Issues for Generation IV Power Systems; J. Magill, R. Schenkel. Black Light Power Technology; R.L. Mills. Gas Resources for the 21st Century; J. Maire. The Future of Nuclear Energy in the US; A.S. Howard. Index.