Energy Revolution Needed To Solve Climate Change

Nobel laureate and new Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu is interviewed on what it will take to solve the climate change crisis - three major technological improvements plus carbon pricing. While no fan of coal, he acknowledges improvements are needed.

1 minute read

February 16, 2009, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid

"Steven Chu, the new secretary of energy, said Wednesday that solving the world's energy and environment problems would require Nobel-level breakthroughs in three areas: electric batteries, solar power and the development of new crops that can be turned into fuel.

Dr. Chu said a "revolution" in science and technology would be required if the world is to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and curb the emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases linked to global warming.

Solar technology, he said, will have to get five times better than it is today, and scientists will need to find new types of plants that require little energy to grow and that can be converted to clean and cheap alternatives to fossil fuels.

He said that while President Obama and Congressional Democratic leaders had endorsed a so-called cap-and-trade system to control global warming pollutants, there were alternatives that could emerge, including a tax on carbon emissions.

In any case, he supports putting a price on carbon emissions to begin to address climate change."

Thanks to Bob Maginnis

FULL STORY: Big Science Role Is Seen in Global Warming Cure

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 in The New York Times

Energy Environment Technology World United States Science Carbon Tax Biofuels Solar Energy Steven Chu nuclear fuel Carbon Trade View More

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