Energy Use and Climate Change - Engineers' and Technology's Roles in Slowing Down and Limiting the Global Warming

Some features of the international development of policies to mitigate climate change are outlined. Important aspects of climate change subject to misunderstanding are the possibilities of discontinuous and sudden change, higher global temperatures caused by greater concentrations of greenhouse gases than the equivalent of 550 ppm CO2 and the thermal lag caused by the oceans' heat capacity. The crucial significance of ameliorative policies, implemented as soon as feasible is emphasised and some of the potential adjustments to Australian energy systems to reduce CO2 emissions are discussed. The roles that the engineering profession should have in reducing Australia's emissions of greenhouse gases are suggested.