The Energy Problem and the Control of Nature-Man System

Abstract

When the ecvironmental disruptions caused by the consumption of energy resources are taken into consideration, the energy problem still remains to be a big one before us. Of the environmental disruptions the increase in the concentration of CO_2 in the atmosphere and the acid rain are serious ones, and here several points about the former is discussed. The points are as follows. 1) Somewhat too radical measures should not be taken about this problem. The efforts to accept and adjust ourselves to the increase in CO_2, and the efforts to prevent from the increase are both necessary. 2) The higher oil prices set by OPEC did much to the solution of the problem, though the higher prices are monopoly prices set only for the interest of OPEC. 3) To go farther toward solving the problem the international cooperation must be realized, but it appears to be very difficult. 4) To curtail the consumption of fossil fuel in the domestic economy, taxes on the consumption are to be imposed and subsidies to the substitution of renewable energy and the conservation of energy are to be given. 5) More technological progress makes the process of energy substitution shorter and smoother.