A recent study found that the rapid deployment of low-greenhouse-gas-emitting technologies (LGEs) will initially increase emissions as they will require a large amount of energy to construct and install. These cumulative emissions will remain in the atmosphere for extended periods due to the long lifetime of CO2, meaning that global mean surface temperatures will increase to a level greater than if we continued to use conventional coal-fired plants. However, delaying the rollout of the technologies is not an option because the risks of environmental harm will be much greater in the second half of the century and beyond if we continue to rely on coal-based technologies. Will there every be a way to reduce greenhouse gases safely and efficiently?
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This really seems to pose quite a conundrum- although it is predicted that carbon dioxide emissions will initially rise due to the constuction and installation of such LGE's, I think that it is absolutely crucial for the future health of our planet, that such LGE's be implemented. I think the overall benefits will someday outweight the costs in the long run.
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