Dirty energy will fry the globe: expert

AAP - If humankind continues with its dirty energy habits then we will fry the globe, an international energy guru has told a Gold Coast conference.

Nobuo Tanaka, the chief of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said major
breakthroughs were needed in energy efficiency and renewable energy to stop
dangerous global warming.
"Current global trends in energy supply and consumption are patently unsustainable,"
Mr Tanaka told the Clean Energy Council's conference on Tuesday.
"Preventing irreversible damage to the global climate ultimately requires a major
decarbonisation of world energy sources."
Mr Tanaka pointed to research showing the world could warm by up to six degrees
Celsius in the long-term, if current energy habits continued.
Significant changes were needed to limit the warming to two degrees, he said.
Mr Tanaka also cited research showing energy efficiency measures could do the most
to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Development of renewable energy sources came second.
"The energy sector will have to play the central role in curbing emissions through
major improvements in efficiency and rapid switching to renewables and other
low-carbon technologies," he said.
The IEA acts as an adviser on energy issues to its 28 member countries.
The Clean Energy Council, which convened the three-day conference, represents the
industry in Australia. The conference finishes on Wednesday.