What is the relationship between global warming and energy use?

Energy production is primarily derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Coal is used to produce electricity for lighting and air conditioning, gasoline and diesel fuel our cars and trucks, and natural gas heats our homes. Consumption of fossil fuels generates significant quantities of CO₂. Because the rate at which CO₂ is being produced is much greater than the rate at which it is being absorbed, it will reside in the atmosphere, trapping more of the earth's heat and consequently causing the earth's temperature to rise.

Carbon emissions can be decreased through energy efficiency and the implementation of renewable energy resources that replace coal and petroleum to produce electricity and liquid transportation fuels. Improving energy efficiency reduces energy use and CO₂ production. Common residential energy-efficiency options are replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent fixtures; adding insulation; installing double-glazed, low-e windows; and upgrading the heating and cooling systems.

The major renewable energy resources include biomass (corn stover, switchgrass, wood wastes, and fats and oils), wind, solar, and hydroelectric. The advantage of renewable energy resources is they use a recurring resource as a fuel source and produce either no greenhouse gases or, in the case of biomass, release only as much carbon as was trapped during its production. Since most carbon dioxide is produced through our consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, implementing energy-efficient measures is probably the most practical way to reduce our production of greenhouse gases.

WEB SITES (for more information)
www.eia.doe.gov/env/ghg.html
www.nrel.gov/clean_energy
www.awea.org
www.ases.org