Energy studies proposed to cool greenhouse.Energy studies proposed to cool greenhouse To confort the threat of a greenhouse warming, the federal government should substantially increase its support for research into energy conservation and the use of renewable energy Renewable energy utilizes natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, and hydroelectricity to biomass and biofuels for transportation. resources such as solar power and wind, a panel of experts concludes in a report issued last week. The National Research Council panel suggests boosting these efforts by an additional $300 million, which amounts to about 20 percent of the current budget for energy-related research and development. It recommends obtaining such funds from money earmarked for research into magnetic fusion and fossil-fuels development. The panel also suggests that the government consider a more intensive, multibillion-dollar effort in energy research, which the nation could adopt if concerns about greenhouse-gas emissions grow in the future. These funds would go toward developing emissions-reducing technologies not economically viable at present. As a first step, though, the panel recommends pursuing energy research that will both reduce emissions and address some unrelated concerns such as national security. Enhancing studies on conservation and renewable energy would not only help cut emissions but also reduce U.S. dependency dependency In international relations, a weak state dominated by or under the jurisdiction of a more powerful state but not formally annexed by it. Examples include American Samoa (U.S.) and Greenland (Denmark). on foreign fuels, notes panel chairman David L. Morrison Mor·ris·on , Toni Originally Chloe Anthony Wofford. Born 1931. American writer who won the 1993 Nobel Prize for literature. Her novels, such as Sula (1973) and Beloved (1987), examine the experiences of African Americans. of the MITRE Corp. in McLean McLean, city (1990 pop. 38,168), Fairfax co., N Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C. Manufacturing includes foods, satellite components, and computer and telecommunications equipment. , Va. During the 1980s, while oil prices dropped considerably, federal funding for renewable-energy R&D declined by 89 percent, and support for conservation programs dropped by 61 percent. "Current funding for alternative-energy R&D in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. is not sufficient to address the problem of achieving major reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions," the panel concludes. While many conservation groups welcome the recommendations, the new report has drawn criticism from some energy analysts. "Advocating more research is not, in my view, the primary way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions," says James MacKenzie For other people with similar names, see . James MacKenzie VC (2 April 1889–19 December 1914) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth , a senior associate at the World Resources Institute Founded in 1982, the World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank based in Washington, D.C. WRI is an independent, non-partisan and nonprofit organization with a staff of more than 100 scientists, economists, policy experts, business analysts, statistical in Washington Washington, town, England Washington, town (1991 pop. 48,856), Sunderland metropolitan district, NE England. Washington was designated one of the new towns in 1964 to alleviate overpopulation in the Tyneside-Wearside area. , D.C. MacKenzie contends that the government must ensure that industry and the public adopt energy-efficient, low-pollution technologies. "There's a lot available now. We're incorporating some of it now, but we could be doing much better." MacKenzie also warns against spending too much on federal research without stimulating research by private companies. |
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