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FROM VOLUME 5, NUMBER 9, SEPTEMBER 1992

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...
ENERGY: POLICY AND ECONOMICS

Item #d92sep16

"Japan: Not an Energy Efficiency Model," M. Searl (Elec. Power Res. Inst., Palo Alto CA 94303), C. Starr, Physics Today, 95-97, Feb. 1992.

Comparative analysis shows that the U.S. is more efficient in energy conversion, and that Japan's lower per capita energy use in other sectors is primarily due to geography, less per capita floor space, and energy prices. The U.S. should strive for energy conservation and increased energy efficiency, but not pretend that other nations have more efficient systems that we can somehow adopt, and not feel guilty about our supposed inefficiency.

Item #d92sep17

"Solar-Hydrogen Energy System: The Choice of the Future," T.N. Veziroglu (Clean Energy Res. Inst., Univ. Miami, Coral Gables FL 33124), F. Barbir, Environ. Conserv., 18(4), 304-312, Winter 1991-92.

An extensive comparison of the production costs, external costs and utilization efficiencies of the fuels that are being most favorably considered for the postpetroleum and natural-gas era: gaseous and liquid hydrogen, and coal and coal-derived synthetic fossil fuels. Hydrogen is much more cost-effective, and has a great environmental advantage.

Item #d92sep18

"Energy Strategy and the Environment," I. Fells (Dept. Chem., Univ. Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle Tyne NE1 7RU, UK), Process Safety & Environ. Protec., 70(B2), 93-98, May 1992.

The obvious strategies to counter energy-related problems are to use all forms of energy more efficiently, switch to renewable sources, expand nuclear power, develop public transportation and curb population growth. Fashionable strategies based on market forces will do nothing. As centrally planned economies switch to privatization, a global energy strategy becomes imperative.

Item #d92sep19

"Ethical Dimensions of Our Energy and Environmental Crises," R. McCluney (Florida Solar Energy Ctr., 300 State Rd. 401, Cape Canaveral FL 32920), Intl. J. Energy, Environ., Econ., 1(2), 97-104, 1991.

Humans, especially in industrialized countries, have developed a belief system and a social structure that give more priority to the rights of human beings than to those of nature, and have become barriers to the kind of reform needed to protect the Earth for future generations. Our list of research topics should include studies of the social, philosophical and ethical questions that lie at the heart of our energy and environmental crises.

Item #d92sep20

"Optimal Economic Growth When CO₂ Constraints Are Critical," H.W. Gottinger (Oxford Inst. Energy Studies, 57 Woodstock Rd., Oxford OX2 6FA, UK), Energy Econ., 14(3), 192-199, July 1992.

Proposes a specific optimal economic growth model with a finite time horizon in which fossil fuel resources constitute inputs to the aggregate production function bound by a critical cumulative CO₂ budget. Compares with the nonconstrained case of conventional optimal growth theory.

Item #d92sep21

"Should Carbon Taxes Be Additional to Other Transport Fuel Taxes?" D.M. Newbery (Dept. Appl. Econ., Univ. Cambridge, Sidgwick Ave., Cambridge CB3 9DE, UK), Energy J., 13(2), 49-60, 1992.

If transport fuel is taxed as a method of charging for road use and congestion, carbon taxes should be superimposed on existing taxes. The cost of meeting the emissions target will depend sensitively on whether the reduction in CO₂ emissions is in proportion to base levels or geared to achieve a target level determined by other factors (such as population).

Item #d92sep22

"Pollution Solution Revisited," R.M. Zweig (2936 McAllister St., Riverside CA 92503), Intl. J. Hydrogen Energy, 17(3), 219-225, Mar. 1992.

A review of world health data regarding air pollution related health costs emphasizes the need for immediate implementation of a hydrogen-energy policy.

Item #d92sep23

"Options for Reducing CO₂ Emissions from Personal Travel in Europe," P. Hughes (Energy & Environ. Res., Open Univ., Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, Bucks, UK), S. Potter, Intl. J. Vehicle Design, 13(2), 114-124, 1992.

One option is highly economical cars, although experience shows that incentives or regulations are required. Alternative fuels can also help, but in the long run technological measures must be complemented by policies to reduce the need for travel while maintaining accessibility.

Item #d92sep24

Nature, 355(6355), p. 10, Jan. 2, 1992: Correspondence by W.S. Fyfe expresses objections to a previous article on the greenhouse advantage of using solar energy via biofuels.

Item #d92sep25

"Global Warming and Clean Electricity," D. Bodansky (Dept. Phys., Univ. Washington, Seattle WA 98195), Plasma Phys. & Controlled Fusion, 33(13), 1489-1507, 1991.

Recommends reducing fossil fuel consumption through conservation and expanded use of nuclear and solar power. Fossil fuels should be replaced in electricity generation, and electricity should assume a larger role in the overall energy economy.