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The most realistic options for meeting the massive demand for energy in the world today and in the future (currently some 15 terrawatts of power) is either nuclear fission or solar power. All other alternatives simply do not have the capacity to scale up on the level which is required for global implementation (for a detailed analysis of this fact, see the Web Links to the left under "Dr. Nathan Lewis").
While nuclear power could provide sufficient energy to the world carbon free, it would require building a new nuclear power plant every other day for the next 50 years in order to meet demand. Not to mention the problems of national security and the unsolved issues with dangerous nuclear waste that will remain toxic for hundreds of thousands of years.
Solar energy on the other hand has tremendous potential. FACT: MORE ENERGY FROM THE SUN HITS THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH IN ONE HOUR THAN THE ENTIRE WORLD USES ALL YEAR. There are vast supplies of energy in sunlight. The problem with solar energy currently is the cost -- solar cells are simply not economically competitive with other ways of making electricity from fossil fuels (in particular coal). Much more research and development must be done to reduce this cost. The other big problem with solar energy is that currently most solar cells only make electricity, which is difficult to store efficiently. Each night, the sun goes down, and you must have a way to store the energy you will need for the night. Charging and discharging batteries is a very inefficient way to do that. There are solar cells which can produce chemical fuels directly instead of electricity (such as water splitting solar cells that can directly electrolyze water to hydrogen and oxygen). These cells also need a great deal of further research and development before they can be used on a large scale.
See the Related Question links to the left: "What are some alternate sources of energy?"
Most, if not all of the sources of energy listed there are so-called "carbon neutral." Many do not emit any carbon dioxide at all (e.g. solar, geothermal, wind, tides/waves, nuclear), but those that do (biomass) remove as much CO2 from the air as they emit, so that the net is zero.
What else can I help you with?
What are gases that absorb thermal energy in the atmosphere called?
Greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are -trapping gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat energy and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change. They include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.
Are greenhouse gases in the atmosphere valued as fuel?
No. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere capture heat, and heat is energy, but we have no way of using this energy for ourselves as fuel. This extra energy in the atmosphere will be expended in more severe weather, like storms and cyclones.
What name is given to gases that trap some of the sun's energy within our atmosphere?
They are called "greenhouse gases" because, like the glass of a greenhouse, they capture heat energy being re-radiated (as infrared rays) from the Earth.
What type of radiation do greenhouse gases help trap in the atmosphere?
Greenhouse gases help trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere. This type of radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface after it absorbs energy from sunlight. By retaining this heat, greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, which warms the planet. This process is crucial for maintaining a stable climate but can lead to global warming when excessive greenhouse gases accumulate.
Where the greenhouse gases trap energy?
In the atmosphere
What are gases that absorb thermal energy in the atmosphere called?
Greenhouse gases.
Which part of the greenhouse represents greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
The glass or plastic walls of a greenhouse represent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by trapping heat energy inside, much like how greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat.
Greenhouse gases are -trapping gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat energy and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change. They include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.
Where do greenhouses gases trap energy?
Greenhouse gases are very light but they change how sunlight is reflected back out into space in that greenhouse gases do not allow as much sunlight to be reflected. This increases the amount of energy held within the atmosphere and warms the planet
Does nuclear energy produce greenhouse gases?
Nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gases during the electricity generation process. The main byproduct is radioactive waste, which needs to be stored safely.
What are some alternative energy sources that are not greenhouse gases?
Some alternative energy sources that do not produce greenhouse gases include solar power, wind power, hydropower, and nuclear power.
Gases in the atmosphere that trap solar energy are called?
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap solar energy in the Earth's atmosphere. This leads to the greenhouse effect, which contributes to global warming and climate change.
How do greenhouse gases prevent heat and energy from escaping the Earth's atmosphere?
Greenhouse gases trap heat and energy in the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation. This process creates a "greenhouse effect" that warms the planet.
What is the source of energy in the greenhouse effect?
The Sun is the source of energy. Heat from the sun radiates up from the surface of the earth and warms the greenhouse gases.
Are greenhouse gases in the atmosphere valued as fuel?
No. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere capture heat, and heat is energy, but we have no way of using this energy for ourselves as fuel. This extra energy in the atmosphere will be expended in more severe weather, like storms and cyclones.
What is the connection between the cutting of Brazilian rainforest and greenhouse efffect?
The rain-forests are important to the environment because they filter gases, such as carbon and methane, common greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere. Without them, there is nothing to stop the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases then trap more heat, adding to global warming. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT!
