Table 3.3 compares the CC>2 emissions from projected U.S. utility coal use to total world production of CO2, assuming a 4% per year increase in fossil fuel combustion. It appears that coal combustion in the U.S. could contribute significantly to the world increase in CO2 emissions. In fact, as much as 30% of the projected increase in world CO2 production over the next 15 years will be attributable to increases in U.S. coal combustion. However, the CO2 problem is truly a global issue. If no increase in U.S. coal combustion occurred after 1976, the result would only be to reduce the rate of growth of global CO2 emissions from 4% to 3%. This would serve to postpone by about 15 years the time at which atmospheric CO2 concentrations reach twice the preindustrial level. A slower rate of increase of CO2 levels could be extremely valuable in allowing more time for monitoring the climatic response to CO2 increases, as well more time for developing and implementing nonfossil-energy options. However, it should be pointed out that the decision for a switch to nonfossil energy technologies must come many years in advance of a significant measureable increase in global temperature because of the lengthy residence time of CO2 in the atmosphere. A sudden decrease in fossil fuel combustion will not produce an immediate decrease in atmospheric CO2 levels. It must be concluded that the future global use of coal as an energy source and the resulting release of large amounts of C02 to the atmosphere Table 3.3. Projected Annual Emissions of CO2 from U.S. Utility Coal Combustion Compared With Projected Annual World Emissions of CO2
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