The imperative to improve energy efficiency in a warming world

Abstract

Over the course of the past centuries, humanity’s influence on the Earth’s atmosphere and climate system has become so significant as to induce geophysical feedback effects, specifically in the form of a self-reinforcing process of global warming. In order to contain the global warming and prevent the expected impacts of climate change from happening, it has become imperative to undertake drastic steps directed towards reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (including CO2). Action needs to be taken soon, as with the growing population, the demand for carbon-intensive (conventional) energy sources is growing and thus greenhouse gas emissions (the main cause for global warming) are increasing. To slow down global warming, energy conservation, energy efficiency improvement and renewable energy generation are the only practical solutions available to mankind...