Title: Energy policy and environmental pollution: a look to the future

Authors: James Gustave Speth

Addresses: President, World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Avenue, Washington, DC., United States of America

Abstract: Over the past twenty years, environmental pollution has reached truly global proportions. Today|s pollutants are more toxic in ever smaller amounts, and pose an equal threat in developed and developing countries. Three phenomena of the global environment exemplify these trends in atmospheric pollution: acid rain, stratospheric ozone destruction, and the greenhouse effect. A key to solving these global challenges lies in energy policy. Specific steps include: increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources, employing less-polluting technologies, using market forces to reflect the true social costs of pollution, and initiating innovative international efforts to reduce pollution and mitigate its effects.

Keywords: acid rain; chlorofluorocarbons; CFCs; energy policy; environmental pollution; future prospects; global climate change; greenhouse effect; ozone destruction; renewable energy; market forces; international cooperation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1989.063693

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1989 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.5-17

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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