Because CO2 emissions contribute to climate change, there is an increasing market demand for renewable energy, and energy sources which produce fewer emissions. Natural gas, coal, solar, nuclear, and wind energy are all possible sources with varying costs and possible consequences. Coal, which produces a high degree of emissions, is being replaced in some areas by lower-emission natural gas and windmand solar, which may be one reason carbon emissions have stayed relatively consistent over the last several years despite a growing economy.
Investing in research, development and deployment of different sources of lower CO2 energy, transmission and storage solutions may help them to become cheaper and more marketable, which may help to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change.
2. Introduction
David Lawrence spent many years as a research geologist with
Shell before forming his own energy investment and consulting
company, Lawrence Energy Group. His experience with Shell
helped him to understand the challenges of climate change and
energy, and David Lawrence recently gave a talk at his alma mater
Yale University. Entitled The World Needs More Energy and Less
CO2: Tough Questions, Hard Choices, and Possible Solutions, the
presentation discussed the complex state of the energy industry
and its market conditions.
Population growth is a major factor in terms of the planet’s future in
energy. With the global population projected to possibly reach 9
billion or more by 2050, more and more individuals will need
solutions to meeting energy demands. Around 16 percent of people
worldwide currently cannot access electricity. Some estimates
suggest energy demand will rise by up to 50 percent in coming
years.
3. Energy Solutions
Because CO2 emissions contribute to climate change, there
is an increasing market demand for renewable energy, and
energy sources which produce fewer emissions. Natural gas,
coal, solar, nuclear, and wind energy are all possible sources
with varying costs and possible consequences. Coal, which
produces a high degree of emissions, is being replaced in
some areas by lower-emission natural gas and windmand
solar, which may be one reason carbon emissions have
stayed relatively consistent over the last several years
despite a growing economy.
Investing in research, development and deployment of
different sources of lower CO2 energy, transmission and
storage solutions may help them to become cheaper and
more marketable, which may help to reduce carbon
emissions and slow climate change.