The energy resource situation in the united states, as well as in all of the other industrialized nations and most of the undeveloped ones can be very simply and bluntly stated as follows; energy use is, or will very soon be, greater than that which can be supplied at a reasonable cost form source within the boundaries of the nation. Which is to say that even where there are large reserves such as coal, oil shale, or offshore oil, the high cost of procurement and conversion will place severe constraints on economic growth and create difficult balance of trade problems for individual nations. Undeveloped countries that lack fuel resources ae particularly hard hit when the rice of fuel rises. The need to conserve energy (by reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of use), to allocate supplies on a worldwide basis, to increase efficiency of conversion of ‘’difficult to get at’’ sources, and to seek new sources will all receive the undivided attention of mankind for a long time into the future. This is a prime example of the long range problem that cannot be solved on a crisis basis.

         It is vitally important that everyone study carefully and strive to understand the nature of atomic energy, about which there is so much hope and controversy. It is especially important to distinguish between to several types of nuclear power. The kind of atomic energy now being used to generate electricity on a limited scale is based on the fission or ‘’splitting’’ of the uranium with the release of energy, and also the release of dangerous ‘’fission products’’ such as radioactive strontium and cesium. Some plutonium, an extremely dangerous radioactive substance (and, also, one that can be made into bombs), is also a by product. Fission atomic energy is a ‘’fuel’’ energy since the supply of fissionable uranium (²³⁵U) is limited); actually there is less energy in this form than in coal left in the earth’s crust. Also, tapping this source of energy is proving to be more troublesome and expensive than originally predicted. The breeder reactor now undergoing experimental test would rolong the uranium fuel supply since a more abundant from of uranium (²³⁵U) can be used and new fissionable fuel is created in the reactor as the original fuel is used up. But an increased production of plutonium increases the radiation hazard.

         Nuclear fusion is a different form of atomic energy entirely, one that involves the fusion of light atoms such as hydrogen to form a heavier atom with the release of energy. Extremely high temperatures are necessary for this energy release which resembles that which occurs on the sun. fission products and plutonium would not be produced unless a fission reaction were to create the temperatures necessary for fusion (as in the hydrogen bomb), but there would be problems with radioactive hydrogen (tritium). Controlling fusion involves containing the intense reaction, perhaps within magnetic fluxes or with laser beams, since no vessel could stand the temperature required. There is much discussion about hybrid fission – fusion systems, but any widespread use of fusion as a worldwide source of industrial energy is a long way in the future. Recent issues (1972, 1973, and so on) of science and public affairs: bulletin of the atomic scientists contain many informative and largely nontechnical articles on nuclear energy. For a nontechnical book, see Inglis (1973).

        We have already discussed in some detail solar energy (see this post). This abundant, but dilute and low quality energy resource can be put to work in cities doing low level ‘’jobs’’ such as heating water, commercial buildings, and dwellings thus sparing fuel for other uses. Extensive use of solar energy in the place of fuel requires a technology not yet developed. Direct conversion of sunlight into electricity by means of solar cells is a promising new technology now under intensive study. Another way we could upgrade solar energy for higher level work would be to make use of nature’s efficient conversion, namely photosynthesis, for fuel as well as for food. Szego (1973) has calculated that the annual growth of wood in managed ‘’fuel forests’’ could supply the united states with substantial amounts of electricity if burned in wood fired, steam electric plants. The long term cost benefit of such a use is yet to be calculated but it is a possibility worth considering in regions where forests are climax, human population density low, or where there is a lot of hilly land not suitable for agriculture

or other man forest uses.