Efficiency in Oil Use and Alternatives to Oil

As a first priority we have to reduce primary energy use dramatically for reasons well known (finite resources, climate change, political instability). For decades to come, fossil fuels will be the primary source of energy, with gas and coal playing a much more important role. Sequestration will be a must. And nuclear energy quite likely will see a comeback; the problems regarding waste disposal can be solved today — terrorism is much more of a concern. Home heating should be done with heat pumps; liquid fuels reserved for transport. And let’s introduce alternatives at a faster pace — we need to gain much more experience; a lot of proposals need verification. It is too early to tell which are the winners and losers. A responsible energy policy is doable and payable. Universities have to develop more leadership — we have to win over the young generation. Universities have to act as honest brokers.