Engineers can build a low-carbon world if we let them

[Viva_La_Revolution]

The engineering solutions to combat climate change already exist. Politicians must be brave enough to use them before it's too late

One word sums up the attitude of engineers towards climate change: frustration. Political inertia following the high-profile failure of 2009's Copenhagen climate conference has coupled with a chorus of criticism from a vocal minority of climate-change sceptics. Add the current economic challenges and the picture looks bleak. Our planet is warming and we are doing woefully little to prevent it getting worse.

Engineers know there is so much more that we could do. While the world's politicians have been locked in predominantly fruitless talks, engineers have been developing the technologies we need to bring down emissions and help create a more stable future.

Wind, wave and solar power, zero-emissions transport, low-carbon buildings and energy-efficiency technologies have all been shown feasible. To be rolled out on a global scale, they are just waiting for the political will. Various models, such as the European Climate Foundation's Roadmap 2050, show that implementing these existing technologies would bring about an 85 per cent drop in carbon emissions by 2050. The idea that we need silver-bullet technologies to be developed before the green technology revolution can happen is a myth. The revolution is waiting to begin.

more> http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20963-engineers-can-build-a-lowcarbon-world-if-we-let-them.html?full=true

[Sherman A1]

1. Of course they can do so,

it's a matter of choice and we the people have been lead to these choices by those who will profit by them... Namely the fossil based fuel industries.

[liberal N proud]

2. The oil companies and the governments they own will not allow it

That is the only thing stopping development of new low carbon environment friendly technology.

Because there sure would be a load of profit for those who can get the business off the ground.

[bananas]

3. Good article, but nuclear isn't needed at all and will likely hinder efforts at decarbonization.

None of the major environmental organizations support nuclear energy as a solution to global warming, for good reason.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. I agree that nuclear sucks

but I think now, after Fukushima it will die a slow death. or I hope so anyway :wishsmilie:

[Gregorian]

5. We're already doing it. But carbon emissions is not our only problem.

We're burning a candle at both ends. But then nobody wants to hear about it.