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Energy Technology
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- Data source: US Energy Information Administration
- Link to chart data
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Global warming is largely a consequence of the energy resources on which we rely. The US and the rest of the world is heavily dependent on fossil fuels – petroleum, coal and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned conventionally, carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere trapping heat and warming the planet.
Limiting global warming means reducing the amount of energy obtained from fossil fuels and increasing reliance on non-fossil energy resources – nuclear, hydroelectricity, solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy resources.
Information on all these resources and more is available in the Energy Resources section. |
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The energy resources used to generate electricity is especially important since modern life is so dependent on a reliable supply. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, it is essential that sufficient generating capacity be available at all times. The best sources of electricity from non-fossil energy are often located far from cities, and transmission lines are needed to carry electric energy from resource areas to the load centers. While building a sustainable electricity system, it is important to use fossil fuels as efficiently as possible with new technologies such as fuel cells.
For more information, go to the Electricity section.
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Energy to transport people and goods is derived almost exclusively from petroleum. Liquid fuels such as gasoline (petrol), diesel and jet fuel are essential to our current economy because they have high energy contents and are easy to carry in vehicles. Using these fuels more efficiently is the single most valuable change we can make in the next few years. Alternative fuels such as ethanol (ethyl alcohol) made from corn (maize) or sugar are being touted as “green” fuels. Hydrogen is discussed as an alternative to petroleum. However, growing crops and processing them into fuels require substantial energy inputs. Hydrogen is not an energy resource, but rather an energy storage mechanism. Careful analysis is required to determine whether alternative fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For further information, visit the Transportation section. |
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Energy to maintain homes and businesses at comfortable temperatures is provided by a wide range of fuels. Modern buildings use a fraction of the energy required in the past, thanks to modern energy-efficient building standards and new technologies. This progress is offset in the US by increasing populations and the trend toward larger dwellings. Improving the energy performance of your home is one of the easiest ways to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and limit climate change.
For further information, visit the Heating and Cooling section. |
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