Relative Danger of Energy Sources
Climate Change
1. How many might die worldwide this decade as
a result of climate events attributable to the greenhouse gases
contributed by US use of fossil fuels?
< 100 100 –
1,000 1,000
– 10,000 10,000 -
100,000 > 100,000
- Several hundred thousands
Today the US contributes more than one fifth of greenhouse gas
emissions worldwide; and even more of cumulative greenhouse gas
emissions since 1850.
World Health
Organization (pdf) estimates that 1.5 million died every decade
between 1970 and 2000 from new heat waves, drought, the spread of
disease, etc. Let’s assume this estimate is high, but accurate over the
next decade. Since the US is now adding >1/5 of world GHG (and is
cumulatively responsible for about 28% of GHG since 1850),
our share is more than 1/5 of 1.5 million, more than 300,000.
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