EGEE 101
Energy and the Environment

I'm not telling you the title of this page

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If having children is the problem then population growth restrictions might be the answer. Every child born in the US is going to want to have the same things:

  • Hot water
  • Gaming console
  • Cars
  • Clean clothes
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Goods and services
  • Smart phones
  • Hoverboards

All require energy! Some countries are currently promoting population growth restrictions, some are decreasing in size due to other reasons (AIDS being one of them). This will impact how easy or hard it is to reach the greenhouse gas reductions required.

The U.S. is growing. Every man, woman, and child will use energy, which produces carbon dioxide.

Line graph showing the United States population steadily rising from close to 1 million in 1790 to over 250 million in 1990.
United States population growth chart (see the current population clock here).

China and India are the countries to watch. While China is the most populous nation, India will overtake China in about 2015. Think about the impact on energy use when the Indians discover (can afford) air conditioning! Should we discourage their advances while maintaining our relatively lavish existence? The Kyoto Protocol uses the language "Every Country has the right to develop." Unfortunately, we can not afford to have these countries follow the same pathway with the same errors and the same environmental impact.

Technology transfer is a great idea but who should pay. Why should AB&B give away low NOx burners when they have investors expecting a return on investment? The emissions from the developing countries are what have kept the US out of active participation in Kyoto Protocol developments. Economic implications for the US without worldwide greenhouse gas reductions!