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Things that actually stand a chance to replace all [[fossil fuel]] energy in the ''near'' future: | Things that actually stand a chance to replace all [[fossil fuel]] [[energy]] in the ''near'' future: | ||
* '''[[Solar panels]]:''' Only if they can be made cheaply [[solar/challenge 1|without scarce minerals]] (it's ok if the efficiency is lower). Need to mass produce enough to cover every | * '''[[Solar panels]]:''' Only if they can be made cheaply [[solar/challenge 1|without scarce minerals]] (it's ok if the efficiency is lower). Need to mass-produce enough to cover every rooftop. Need [[energy storage]]: [[sodium-ion batteries]] or similar. For [[homes]]/buildings{{x|connected together via the power grid for some load balancing}}, [[rooftop solar]] would provide enough "general-purpose" electricity, but not always enough for [[heating]]. | ||
* '''[[Wind power]]:''' | * '''[[Wind power]]:''' Mostly to generate [[hydrogen gas]] (which would be used as fuel instead of [[natural gas]]). Otherwise too intermittent, too far away for power lines. | ||
* '''[[Nuclear]]:''' Only if it's [[thorium]]. [[nuclear fusion|Fusion]] is a pipe dream{{x|although it's ultimately the best choice in the ''distant'' future}}, [[conventional nuclear power|uranium-235]] is too scarce, and [[uranium-238]] reactors have too many weapons proliferation concerns. | * '''[[Nuclear]]:''' Only if it's [[thorium]]. [[nuclear fusion|Fusion]] is a pipe dream{{x|although it's ultimately the best choice in the ''distant'' future}}, [[conventional nuclear power|uranium-235]] is too scarce, and [[uranium-238]] reactors have too many weapons proliferation concerns. | ||
{{minor|Other renewables ([[geothermal electricity]], [[hydroelectricity]] including [[tidal]], and [[biomass waste]]) are limited to only a small percent of the world's energy.}} | |||
In any case, it becomes a lot easier if we '''[[public transit|drive]] [[walkability|less]]''' (some careers are an exception obviously) and '''[[frugalism|buy less]]''' new stuff. Those factors alone account for 2/3 of the world's [[energy]] consumption. | There would be battery [[electric vehicles]]{{x|mostly sodium-ion, because [[lithium-ion]] battery minerals are too scarce}} and hydrogen-based vehicles{{x|mostly [[hydrogen combustion vehicles|combustion]]-type, because [[fuel cell vehicles|fuel cells]] are too high in platinum-group metals}}. | ||
In any case, it all becomes a lot easier if we '''[[public transit|drive]] [[walkability|less]]''' (some careers are an exception obviously) and '''[[frugalism|buy less]]''' new stuff. Those factors alone account for 2/3 of the world's [[energy]] consumption. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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* [[Housing]] | * [[Housing]] | ||
* [[Climate change]] | * [[Climate change]] | ||
* [[Energy]] |