The Outcome Remains Speculative

When global warming is the problem what should be done about it?

The answers range from nothing to blaming it on your neighbor. Following are perspectives from various sources.

A chief executive officer of a global oil and gas company provided a summary of forty years of experience. Profitable, excellent share holder returns, providing steady well-paying and interesting jobs, community support, taxes and provided leadership in  environmental and safety practices. He advocates for a sustained long term approach for the use of hydrocarbons to include increased use of natural gas, carbon capture and sequestering and increased efficiency for  all fossil fuel consuming applications. His observations reinforced that the fossil fuel industries are very influential and proud of their essential contribution to the global economy.

A professor of climatology at a leading university who is frequently called upon to share her knowledge is quoted as saying that the relationship between greenhouse gases and atmospheric warming is beyond any doubt. The main ingredient is carbon dioxide most of which originates from the combustion of fossil fuels.

There are deniers who express absolute disagreement with the science that guide the carbon dioxide global warming relationship. They contend that the science is shallow, perhaps to protect the industries generating greenhouse gases or for personal reputational and financial gains.

A political scientist talked about the influence that are inherent in the business of energy. This is exemplified by the ending of natural gas shipments from Russia to some European countries and the shipment oil from Iran to a selection of destinations. The list goes on including the provision of subsidies for gasoline in lower income countries, the legislation in Canada that allows for crude oil exports and the grandfather of the all which is the influence of the OPEC countries to control production

research and development to improve current and create new sources of energy are extensive. Hydropower, biomass and geothermal continue to provide energy. Nuclear is seeing a major resurgence. Energy from solar and wind are well established. Going forward hydrogen is making a mark albeit with some difficulties. In a very long timeline fusion is making progress

Part of the journey is the evolution of storage capacity which adds an essential component to the system. Fuel cells are making a small difference.

Financial investment organizations are bell weathers for the energy industries. A senior executive from an international firm is quoted, saying capital is available and flowing for renewables. Current producers are realizing significant cash flows available for significant capital expenditures.

On the restriction side of limiting global warming by legislating against the use of fossil fuels there are untold programs in place. These are powerful tools but subject to political swings.

On another front some lesser developed countries are adding to their use of fossil fuels to meet current energy demand while preparing for renewables which require more time for full scale application.

Countries that are currently encountering flooding due to high water as a result of global warming are expressing a need for assistance.

A useful exercise at this stage is to collect the components that are contributing to this very real dilemma.

Current providers and future developers of fossil fuels are well entrenched. The denial that fossil fuel combustion and retention results in global warming is convenient particularly politically. Oil supply in particular is greatly influenced by a cartel and political influence. International conflicts have very significant impact on supply and demand.

On the other hand the unintended consequence of global warming as a result of burning fossil fuels remains.

A leader from a pacific ocean island country continues to speak at every chance about displacement of the current residents

For every Ying there is a Yang in fostering energy systems that are suitable to all. The most efficient including unintended consequences is the goal. The definition of most efficient is the cost per unit of energy after everything is included.

Imagine a system that includes the lowest input cost, the lowest cost for the energy required to change the energy from one form to another, the lowest delivery cost and the lowest consumption cost. A specific caveat, how to eliminate any third party participation such as incentives?

A fairy tale? At the most a theme for an after dinner game.