Excerpts from new Earth Meanders essay: These essays have been silent on proposals for a nuclear energy [search] revival and clean coal [search] carbon sequestration as climate change solutions. I remain deeply uncertain and even ambivalent regarding their desirability and ultimate effectiveness. Nuclear and clean coal energies are the logical next technological steps in the progression of human dominance of the Earth. Yet at best they will only delay energy shortages while contributing little to climate change mitigation.

Nuclear energy and clean coal may need to be pursued, but let us at least be honest regarding the full range of choices and their implications. Their pursuit may well keep the lights on for awhile longer. Yet key elements of both remain untested, it is doubtful they can be ramped up fast enough to levels required to mitigate climate change, and both carry risks of serious long-term environmental damage of their own… [Full Essay]