Global climate change: A fossil energy perspective

Global climate change has attracted considerable attention recently as an emerging environmental problem. While substantial uncertainties still exist regarding the ability to accurately predict climate change, some scientists and policymakers believe immediate action is required. As a result, legislative proposals have been introduced and policies/programs proposed to address the perceived problem. Since fossil fuel combustion has been identified as a major contributor to the growth in atmospheric greenhouse gases, curtailing the emissions from fossil-fired facilities is a primary focus of many proposals. This paper discusses global climate change from a fossil, energy development and utilization perspective and demonstrates that if it is determined that greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced, fossil fuels and fossil-fuel-based technologies can, and must, play a role. 24 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.