Energy and Climate Change

Carbon harvesting from the atmosphere, he said, could be a good way of tackling the problem. So far, however, a method for achieving this has eluded scientists and engineers.

Concrete is the most widely used man-made material, and the manufacture of cement–the main ingredient of concrete–accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas involved in global warming.

New techniques could expand the capabilities of geothermal power, producing 10 percent of US electricity by 2050.

"These are guys who are going to help determine what the policy actually is, because they are the ones who are in the middle of this debate,"

A number of startups are now demonstrating new technology and launching large research efforts aimed at replacing hundreds of millions of gallons of fossil fuels by 2010, and much more in the future.

Americans should be taxed for the energy they consume. But it isn’t the government that should decide how that money is spent.

In mostly sunny Wyoming, there’s a great opportunity to harness the rays and cut usage of fossil fuels, he said. "With all this new construction, we should consider some passive solar features," Krahenbuhl said.

The establishment of the institute solidifies the Bay Area as a leading center for biofuel research.

If Great Point Energy–a Boston-area startup with a low-cost process for converting coal into pipeline-grade natural gas–has its way, coal may start keeping us toasty again before long.

"But even while top energy companies are also beginning to invest significant amounts in wind, solar and plants, those investments pale in comparison with the resources they are pouring into making synthetic fuels out of oil sands, a process that emits significantly more carbon dioxide than conventional oil."