“The modern world is built on fuels we know can’t last forever.” So begins Powering the Future – The Energy Revolution, to be broadcast by the Discovery Channel on Saturday, July 17 at 8 p.m. The entire series will air Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, 8-10 p.m. (ET/PT). “Encore presentations” will be aired on Science Channel on July 19-20 and Planet Green, July 25-26. This four-part series begins by telling us something we already know, although many of us choose not to think about. Since non-renewable fuel sources have always been there for us, we expect that they will always be there. We may have great expectations, but they are foolish expectations.
If the energy we’ve come to rely on will not be around forever, do we need to worry about it? After all, we won’t be around forever either. Of course we don’t have to worry about it if we have no concern for our children, their children, and so on down the line, or the fate of our species. In forty years, the earth’s population is expected to increase by three billion. You think the lines at Wal-Mart are long now?
The greatest challenge we face is "identifying a limitless, secure, clean energy supply." Most of us are not up to the challenge, which is why there are scientists and engineers. Can engineers and scientists save the world? Let’s ask a scientist.
M. Sanjayan, Ph.D. is the Nature Conservancy’s Lead Scientist and the host of Powering the Future – The Energy Revolution. Without specifying the dire consequences (which have already been beaten into our heads) of running out of non-renewable energy sources—we have already burned through half the planet’s natural oil, and a huge chunk of its natural gas and coal—Sanjayan introduces the viewer to research and development in the areas of renewable energy. He reminds us that before growing so heavily dependent on oil and coal, we harnessed water and wind to produce energy.
Article comments
1 - Bernie Kleinstein
"Mega batteries, soft houses, and solar paint are among solutions being developed. What Powering the Future â€" The Energy Revolution tells us is that there is"
Ahem. "Is what?"
Miss Bob, did you write that? I'm not accustomed to your writing ending in mid-sentence like that.
Doesn't Blogcritics have editors to check these kinds of things?
Who's on crack -- you or the editor?
2 - the real bob
Well, Bernie, I'm sure you've heard the old saying, "Always leave 'em wanting more." I think we're adopting that policy.
3 - barbara barnett
Not on crack...just a glitch in a new editing interface. All better now. Everything appeared fine in the interface and the preview. All in an effort to make things better.