The energy historian who says rapid decarbonization is a fantasy

Vaclav Smil rarely agrees to interviews. Too many in the media have portrayed him as a tool of Big Oil, he says — because he insists on pointing out how deeply dependent humanity is on fossil fuels and how difficult it will be to give them up.

He’s highly regarded and frequently cited in academic circles and counts Bill Gates among his most famous fans. Instead we continue, and expand, our wasteful ways while trying to come up with miraculous — and in the near-term most unlikely — solutions, everything from running on hydrogen to controlled fusion. Good luck with that.

What are the chances that after going from 86% to 83% during the first two decades of the 21st century the world will go from 83% to zero during the next two decades? Especially as a few weeks ago China announced additional 300 million tons of new coal production for 2022, and India additional 400 million tons by the end of 2023. We are still running into fossil fuels, not away from them.

“How the World Works” goes into what you call the Four Pillars of Modern Civilization: ammonia, plastics, steel and concrete. It seems most people think of only electricity generation and transportation in relation to fossil fuels and climate change.

Wow, I actually read this one. Good job 👏. Everyone wants to say they're anti-climate change, but no one wants to stop using plastic and driving and flying and eating food. Those major of changes are impossible without redesigning every town and system.

The western leaders want to sell this fantasy ..

Oo

United Kingdom United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

To fight climate change, environmentalists may have to give up a core beliefTo cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to zero, experts say, the country is going to have to do something environmentalists have traditionally opposed: It’s going to have to build a lot of energy infrastructure. And fast. That is the worst plan. We don't want to mine Earth to death. We don't need to build. We need to retrofit what we already have to use zero emission hydrogen fuel. Without nuclear power, green will get green by oil or coals. No other choice other than go nuclear.
Source: washingtonpost - 🏆 95. / 72 Read more »

Nuclear power is key for Japan's energy security and carbon neutrality goals, minister saysNuclear power could play an important part in helping Japan become self-sufficient, according to Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura. “Nooooo you’re supposed to chop down forests for solar panels!” Nuclear Poweer Built only for Security
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »