I learned recently that in order to stabilize CO2 concentrations at 450ppm or lower (as Jim Hansen believes we must do), that 70% of known fossil fuel reserves have to remain untapped. That’s why renewables have to be ramped up. We need a transition to a low carbon economy and we need the US to lead the way and enact meaningful legislation now. That means setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050 regulation. It means implementing energy efficiency on an unprecedented scale, removing subsidies for fossil fuels, putting in place incentives that enable capital to flow to renewables and an injection of funding to create green collar jobs.
As Al would say, the technology is there, we just need the political will.