Nov 23 2009
In a rather confrontational study, a scientist from the University of Utah has argued that risks from the increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions cannot be mitigated unless the equivalent of building a new nuclear power plant daily is accomplished.
Tim Garrettt, an associate professor of Atmospheric Sciences, in his recent study on global warming, has warned that the rising level of carbon dioxide emissions cannot be brought under control unless a new atomic power plant is build every day. The study will be published online in the journal 'Climatic Change', which is edited by Stephen Schneider, Climate scientist at Stanford University.
The findings of the study will focus on the concept how physics can help mankind to illustrate the evolution of civilization. The study has listed down three important findings. According to the study, improvement of energy efficiency always increases economic growth and increased use of energy. The study has also found out the existence of a link that connects usage of energy to the economic productivity in the world. In addition, the study revealed that to control carbon dioxide emission, new non-carbon-dioxide-emitting power production must happen simultaneously.
Tim Garrett has approached economics as a physics problem. The civilization for him is a like a 'heat engine' that takes up energy and that results in production in the form of 'work.' This action causes the consumption of more energy. According to Garrett, if civilization does not take up energy, it will be worthless. The consumption of energy only helps the civilization to carry on activities with economic value.
Tim Garrett also points out that if we are running out of energy, the value of civilization may fall unless new energy sources are discovered. Garrettt's key finding tells that economic production over a period of time in history is attached to the level of energy usage at a global level, which is determined by a constant factor. Energy efficiency has improved the standard of living, and changing over to a non-carbon-dioxide-emitting power source as the only option to save man kind from the crisis.
Source: www.unews.utah.edu