ABSTRACT
Increasing demand for energy, the need to develop alternatives to heavy reliance on oil and gas, and recognition that the choice of energy source, technology, location, and conversion all have significant environmental implications; have fueled the energy-environment debate. Assuming anything like present population levels on the earth, a great deal of energy will be needed even if the technological aspirations of the future society are modest. Despite the attention it has received, a discussion of the relationship of the geosciences to energy development and the environment requires reiteration of the "holism" required in evaluating the environmental impacts of alternative policies. Every choice among alternative energy sources, uses, or technologies involves an alteration of the environment. Even increasing reduction of effluents to land, air, and water through strengthened pollution control intended to improve the environment often demands additional energy.
