ABSTRACT
A large proportion of our current pollution problems is the result of energy technologies that rely on combustion of carbon-based fuels. Included in these problems are emissions of greenhouse gases, acid rain precursors (oxides of sulfur and nitrogen), and carbon monoxide; formation of photochemical oxidants; releases to the biosphere of raw and refined petroleum products; and mining-related pollution. Obviously, then, decreasing our consumption of carbon-based energy will result in decreases in the amounts of these pollutants entering the biosphere.
