World must race to develop green energy, urges Rees (Pres/ Royal Soc)

[struggle4progress]

Ian Sample, science correspondent
Friday August 4, 2006
The Guardian

An urgent project on the scale of the Apollo moon landings is needed to boost research into green energy sources and save the planet from environmental disaster, according to Britain's top scientist.

Writing in the US journal Science today, Sir Martin Rees, president of Britain's most prestigious scientific institute, the Royal Society, expresses dismay at G8 leaders' "worrisome lack of determination" to accelerate development of new energy sources, given the expected 50% rise in the world's energy needs - and carbon dioxide emissions - in the next 25 years.

He warns that without an international, focused programme to develop alternatives to fossil fuels it will be impossible to keep greenhouse gas emissions low enough to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Calling for a programme with the single-minded commitment of the US Apollo programme, Professor Rees suggests an exploration of alternative energy sources with at least 10 times the $1.5bn a year funding that goes into researching nuclear fusion, a cleaner and safer alternative to conventional nuclear power ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/renewable/Story/0,,1836905,00.html

[Erika]

1. But Cheney said we have no reason to conserve or

change our life style. I saw the interview on TV. Who are we to believe.

You mean, driving hummers and big rigs, might be seen as anti-earth? W gave huge tax breaks to purchasers of those vehicles. What gives?

[NEOBuckeye]

3. Fuck Cheney. He won't be around to see the consequences of his bullshit

He and his ilk must be thrown out of office immediately to make way for competent individuals who will take on and address energy, conservation and environmental issues as top priorities. Anything else is a dangerous waste of time and valuable resources.

[longship]

2. Sir Martin Rees

Britain's Astronomer Royal.

A great series from BBC-4 is Sir Martin's Rees' What We Still Don't Know. If you have a chance to view it, do so.

[EFerrari]

4. No one seems to be listening. We have balmy weather

out here on the San Francisco beach. This IS a sign of the Apocalypse. Hello?