Hey, you know how there are all these awesome things like CFLs and solar power and wind energy and renewable this and rechargeable that, and so we’ll be energy independent and carbon neutral in no time at all?  Yeah, well, the United States Energy Department is really excited to rain on that parade.  Like, super pumped.  Turns out they’re guessing that by 2030, the global energy demand will rise by 50 percent, and everyone and their mothers will continue to rely on coal and fossil fuels.  Check out the buzzkill in the International Herald Tribune:

The projections by the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the Energy Department, said that without mandatory actions to address global warming, the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide flowing into the atmosphere each year from energy use will be 51 percent greater in 2030 than it was three years ago.

Fossil fuels are expected to continue supplying much of the energy used worldwide, the agency report predicts, in spite of the growth of renewable energy sources, especial wind and biofuels.

As well, much of the growth in consumption will be in emerging markets, where renewable energy sources are not necessarily practical.  Now, it should be noted, “The report assumes in its analysis no additional measures to curtail carbon dioxide emissions to address climate change.”  So, I dunno, maybe we should do something.  That would probably be a good start.

We can start on an individual level and takepart with the Carbon Fund, whose motto is “Reduce what you can, Offset what you can’t.”  It’s a step in the right direction.