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Recommended for: Grades 6-12

Resource: Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels

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In this interview from the Web site for the NOVA/FRONTLINE Special Report: "What's Up with the Weather?", physics professor Martin Hoffert advocates the need for developing alternative energy sources beyond the fossil fuels we currently rely on for electricity and powering our vehicles. Hoffert says we need to use our imagination to come up with viable solutions soon -- for example, harnessing renewable solar power in space -- because not only are current energy-producing technologies polluting and potentially dangerous, but the fossil fuels used to generate power are in finite supply.

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Teachers' Domain, Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels, published January 22, 2004, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.energy.beyondfossil/

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According to most scientists, among them Martin Hoffert, professor of physics at New York University, global climate change has been accelerated by the burning of fossil fuels, which include coal, oil, and natural gas, in electricity generation and engine-powered vehicles. Because of the threat climate change represents to human and environmental health and because only a finite supply of fossil fuel material exists on our planet, Hoffert argues that the world as a whole has to look to other energy sources to feed its energy consumption needs, which will only grow as heavily populated developing countries further industrialize.

Hoffert points to a number of potential solutions awaiting further research and development, among them tapping renewable energy supplies from the sun, wind, water, and earth. Even outer space might be a viable place to look for fuel supplies or to generate power. From a physics and engineering standpoint, any number of solutions could work.

Certain alternative energy production technologies are closer to commercial viability than others. Already, some hydrogen-powered vehicles are on the road. Hoffert says that for more such technologies to get to market, companies, entire industries, and even governments have to be convinced to look beyond such things as cost and short-term profitability potential.