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Chapter 5 - Climate Change and the World of Energy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2020

Willem Middelkoop  and
Rembrandt Koppelaar
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Summary

It's amazing how many people don't actually believe this is a serious threat, even though it is unequivocally the most serious threat that humanity faces across the board, in every country of the world. We are essentially playing Russian roulette with the ocean and atmosphere.

– Elon Musk, 2015

The real wild card in the pack is increasing vulnerability from resource scarcity and climate change, with the potential for major social and economic disruption. Unless we take action on climate change, future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried, and grilled.

– Christine Lagarde, 2013

There are two doors. Behind door #1 is a completely sealed room, with a regular, gasoline-fueled car. Behind door #2 is an identical, completely sealed room, with an electric car. Both engines are running full blast. I want you to pick a door to open, and enter the room and shut the door behind you. You have to stay in the room you choose for one hour. You cannot turn off the engine. You do not get a gas mask. I’m guessing you chose door #2, with the electric car, right? Door #1 is a fatal choice—who would ever want to breathe those fumes? This is the choice the world is making right now.

– Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2015

Introduction

Melting ice caps, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, rising sea levels, and record temperatures are hot topics in our daily news.[1] Even large storms and droughts are more and more often linked to climate change. Although many doubt manmade changes could turn the tide of rising global CO2 and temperature levels, climate accords are now leading to guidelines for many governments, especially in the G20 countries. When we add the growing smog problem, especially in the Asia, it is easy to understand why so many countries are now supporting investments in alternative forms of energy like wind and solar. It is even leading to a revival of the nuclear industry. In this chapter we try to present climate facts as objectively as possible. To report, not to campaign. It shows the world of energy is highly connected to the world of climate change, so anybody wishing to understand the future of energy should at least study the latest developments in climate science and CO2 reduction measures.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Tesla Revolution
Why Big Oil is Losing the Energy War
 , pp. 181 - 208
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
Print publication year: 2017

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