Global Power Consumption

Global power use today is about 12 TW (one Terrawatt is 1,000,000,000,000 = 10¹² Watt), with about 10 TW being derived from fossil fuel, the primary source of increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol called for a 5% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012, but meeting this goal seems highly unlikely, since it is viewed by the US as being too great of an economic burden. However, even if this goal is met, stabilization (allowing to reach but not exceed) of CO₂ concentrations at 450 ppm seems unlikely. Meeting target goals of reducing emissions without major negative economic consequences will require revolutionary advances in technology of energy production, distribution, storage and conversion. Currently known methods, either in use or pilot demonstration, are insufficient to stabilize climate (Hoffert et al, 2002).

If we set a goal of stabilizing CO₂ at 450 ppm we need some combination of increased fuel efficiency, use of "carbon-neutral" fuels (i.e., fuels that put only as much CO₂ back into the atmosphere as was taken to create them, such as wood), and capturing CO₂.

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