by Allan Taylor

Created on: February 18, 2009

"Fossil fuels are oil, natural gas, and coal. They pollute the air we breath, contribute to the greenhouse gas warming of the planet and make the US dependent on imported oil"

"Burning of fossil fuels produces potent greenhouse gases which cause global warming"

"Renewable energy sources need to replace nonrenewable ones to reduce pollution, global warming, as well as help stabilize the world economy".

These reasons are typical of the statements by supporters of the Green Movement, to promote the idea that the USA (and the world) should move towards using renewable energy, and so phase out the use of "polluting" fossil fuels. This was the environmental gist of Obama's election campaign and I suppose it will be the Democrat's ensuing energy policy.

Let's sit back and ponder over this proposal. Is the underlying science factually correct? Maybe there exists in this a mixture of truth and bunkum? Does it make sense overall? Let's see.

According to my dictionary, the definition of the verb "to pollute" is "to destroy the purity or sanctity of something (e.g., water, air) ... also, to foul or make filthy.

Does the burning of coal to generate electricity and running of automobiles on gasoline fit into the category of "polluting" the atmosphere? The answer is both Yes and No!

Uncontrolled burning of coal, and wood, certainly pollutes the atmosphere with particulate matter and other toxins, which if concentrated in a city environment is bad news for the health of the populace. Many large Western cities have wisely passed laws preventing such activities (Clean Air Acts) and today the air quality of London, for example, is much better than what it was 100 years ago.

However, if you are fortunate to spend a weekend out in the back woods (Canada or USA) at some remote fishing cabin and you are about to stoke up the wood-fueled stove to cook your dinner and trout, then don't feel guilty! Enjoy yourself. You are doing no harm to the environment. I wish I could be with you!

To get to this fishing cabin no doubt you will drive a large automobile (to carry all your fishing gear and food supply), or an SUV, which runs on gasoline or diesel fuel. This is all very admirable. You won't get there with an electric powered car, or even a Prius!

What is important to understand is that atmospheric CO2 is NOT a pollutant! It is a life giving minor component of the atmosphere and is an essential fertilizer to the biosphere, which includes, crops, forests and all plants. Plants utilize atmospheric

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