TNAG-1658-FCO40-2306-Daya-Bay-nuclear-power-station-project-safety-concerns-in-Ho-1987 — Page 238

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Gas is a more limited resource than oil and it is likely to be used

as a fuel on a large scale only for a relatively short period. It is

also potentially much too valuable as a raw material for industry in many

countries to be used indiscriminately for burning.

Biomass in the past, mostly firewood

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is, of course, very

important in some developing countries where it is the only fuel for

some, and where it has contributed up to 50% of the energy supply. With

increasing population, the resulting deforestation in many countries is

now extremely serious. Reforestation remains a high priority to help

stem erosion and desertification and to yield some fuel. Energy forests

would have the long-term advantage of not disturbing the CO2 balance,

but I cannot see them as a significant source of energy in an

industrializing society.

Reference is often made to environmentally benign, renewable

sources like hydro, wind and solar. Of these, only hydro now makes a

significant contribution (20%) to the world's electricity production.

is not without environmental consequences.

It

Big hydro projects have major

local impacts and we have learnt through the years that they can also

entail risks for major catastrophes. One dam accident in 1979 in Morvi

in India caused an estimated 15,000 deaths.

A large hydro potential still exists in developing countries and it

should certainly be used whenever it is economical and practical. In

many cases it is far removed from consumption centres however, as in

Brazil, for instance. In most industrialized countries, little usable

hydro potential remains.