The global response

Source: Image courtesy of NASA

If the world's industries continue growing at the present rate, it is estimated that by 2030 carbon dioxide emissions alone will increase by 70 per cent over current levels.

The world is also using more non-renewable energy supplies, such as coal and oil, than ever before. The mid-2000s have seen the strongest incremental growth for global primary energy consumption in history.

The good news is that many countries are recognising the need to change their heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources, and are starting to talk about sustainable development. It is becoming widely understood that fossil fuels are finite and that we cannot depend on them forever. To maintain and improve our lifestyles, alternative sources of energy must be found and put into use.

Equally, the world is beginning to believe that regardless of whether global warming is caused by humans, natural processes, or is only a short-term change in weather patterns, it is still a good thing to reduce the level of pollution released into the environment by humans.

The United Nations dedicated 10 years from 1 March 2005 to education on sustainable development. Meanwhile, countries and businesses are starting to make changes to the way they use energy.

These changes include:

• an increase in the use of renewable energy sources that are cleaner, and in the long term, more abundant
• finding more efficient ways to burn fossil fuels and reduce emissions
• developing processes, such as cogeneration, that uses energy resources more efficiently
• changing social patterns and behaviours to foster sustainable lifestyles.