The International Energy Agency continues its string of blunt reports laying bare the reality of our climate and energy system, reports Joe Romm at Climate Progress. Their new report, Energy Technology Perspectives 2012, says that new natural gas investments can play at best a limited, very temporary role “if climate objectives are to be met.” That is, the natural gas bridge to clean renewable energy must be a very short one. Currently, we’re in for an 11 degree Fahrenheit rise in global temperature – think Miami Beach in Boston by 2100, said an executive at the agency. The only viable response to the threat of catastrophic climate change is rapid deployment of existing carbon-free technology. Preventing more than a 4 degree Fahrenheit rise in global temperature, considered by many necessary to prevent catastrophic damage, means investing globally about $36 trillion by 2050 – about $130 extra per US citizen annually – but would reap over $100 trillion in fuel savings alone by then. The report’s message? Don’t delay, invest in energy efficiency and clean energy as soon as possible, and put a price on carbon emissions.
IEA Report: Existing Cleantech Is The Answer To The Climate Problem And It Could Save $100 Trillion By 2050, Joe Romm, Climate Progress http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/news/2012/july/name,28957,en.html Global warming may lead to ‘Miami Beach in Boston’ situation unless urgent action is taken
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