Avoiding carbon apocalypse through alternative energy

Abstract

We have reached the point where the carbon emissions released from combusting fossil fuels are causing global warming. Almost 95% of scientific experts are in agreement that this is a real problem. Global warming gives rise to a myriad of problems, chief among which is sea level rise, which will cause widespread flooding. Global warming is also likely to affect food production, to affect the spread of diseases and to endanger wildlife. After the Paris conference held at the end of 2015, a number of countries worldwide agreed to limit the average increase in temperature to 2 °C, although how they will achieve this is not yet totally clear. Existing technology has developed to the point where we could free ourselves from combusting fossil fuels for the generation of energy, as well as for transport. Not only will this allow us to stop releasing carbon dioxide, one of the chief causes of global warming, but it also looks as though this option could make more economic sense than using fossil fuels for power generation and transport. This book explains the various available sustainable technologies and alternative transport systems. It examines the economics of sustainable power production and shows how the new technology can be implemented and in what timescale. This book shows how carbon dioxide released due to combustion of fossil fuels can be eliminated entirely, rather than simply reduced.