| Bill Gates has a lot of money and power. So when he | | | | plant, which would be the first one built in the United |
| gives the American public a wake-up call, as he | | | | States in nearly three decades. Environmentalists' |
| recently did, people listen. In February, Gates | | | | opposition, safety concerns and the massive cost of |
| announced that his top priority is getting the world to | | | | reactors have prevented the development of plants |
| zero climate emissions. The way to achieve this | | | | since the early 1980s. The federal loans will help fund |
| objective: create a global society that uses only | | | | the construction and operation of two reactors in |
| climate-neutral energy. That's a pretty tall order. | | | | Burke County, Georgia. When the project finishes in |
| Gates promised to use his philanthropic foundation to | | | | 2017, the plant will generate power for about 1.4 |
| improve public health and help alleviate poverty, and | | | | million people. As part of Obama's comprehensive |
| news reports say that it's precisely because he | | | | energy agenda, he says that nuclear energy will |
| wants to improve the lives of vulnerable people that | | | | reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, |
| he believes climate change is the most important | | | | such as from coal-fired power plants. |
| challenge for the world to address. In his speech, he | | | | As Obama and Gates advocate for nuclear energy, |
| said we need to eliminate carbon emissions and | | | | environmentalists continue to promote renewable |
| achieve no net emissions in the developed world by | | | | energy, including solar, wind and geothermal. For |
| the year 2050. | | | | instance, wind power as one type of energy is |
| In his speech, Gates broke down how climate | | | | replenishable, widely distributed and produces no |
| emissions produced by humans result from four main | | | | greenhouse-gas emissions. Wind is used to make |
| factors: Population growth, services that provide | | | | electricity, supply mechanical power and pump water. |
| prosperity, energy (in the form of the amount it | | | | Solar power is another non-carbon source of energy, |
| takes to produce and provide goods and services) | | | | which means it doesn't contribute to global warming. |
| and carbon generated to produce the energy it takes | | | | Geothermal uses the earth's heat to heat and cool |
| to fuel prosperity. Environmentalists argue that we | | | | buildings. |
| need to focus on the last factor-the carbon intensity | | | | There's another major element environmentalists are |
| of energy. | | | | focusing on in the quest for achieving carbon |
| Gates supports the development of reactors fueled | | | | neutrality in the near future: green building. In the |
| by nuclear waste from disposal facilities or generated | | | | United States alone, buildings account for 38 percent |
| by today's power plants. He said this is more reliable | | | | of all carbon-dioxide emissions. Sustainable buildings |
| than wind and solar, and cleaner than burning coal or | | | | integrate energy efficiency, water conservation, |
| natural gas, and safer than current nuclear plants. Of | | | | improved air quality, recycled materials and design |
| course, there is the problem of plant meltdowns, | | | | innovation. This eco-conscious building philosophy and |
| which would be environmental tragedies. Not to | | | | practice will go far in reducing the carbon emissions |
| mention, nuclear energy is not the most | | | | that contribute to global warming. |
| cost-effective form of alternative energy. | | | | Gates touched upon something very important when |
| Speaking of nuclear energy, in February, President | | | | he said the world needs to use climate-neutral |
| Obama announced more than $8 billion in federal loan | | | | energy. If we're going to achieve no net emissions |
| guarantees for the construction of a nuclear power | | | | by 2050, we need to start the transition today. |