A
consensus, backed by science, is emerging among
the international community that by 2050 we need
to reduce emissions of C02, methane and other
greenhouse gases to approximately 80 percent
lower than they were in 1990. It will mean a wholesale reinvention of the global energy economy; anything less could result in catastrophe. Here's how we'll get there.
Geothermal Energy
The Big Picture: Geologically active countries like Iceland can more than meet their needs with the energy that vents from the Earth, but other countries would benefit from expanding clean geothermal power as quickly as possible.
Where We Are Now: 10 GW
What We Need by 2050: 700 GW
Safer Nuclear Energy
The Big Picture: It's nearly impossible to imagine making meaningful
carbon dioxide reductions without designing safer, cleaner reactors and rolling
them out immediately — because no one wants to build more of the reactors we
have today.
Where We Are Now: 372 GW
What We Need by 2050:
700 GW
Tech to Watch: Next-generation Nuclear
Wind Power
The Big Picture: Wind power is all about location — getting turbines where the breeze blows steady and strong. One of the best places for that is far out at sea. And because one of the biggest obstacles to expanding wind power is overcoming the objections of residents who don't want wind farms blocking their views, deepwater wind, which is invisible from shore, has dual appeal.
Read more at: http://www.popsci.com/category/tags/future-energy
