China will "endeavor" to cut emissions of carbon dioxide -- the most prevalent of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change -- by "a notable margin" in coming years, Hu said, adding that China also will "vigorously develop renewable energy and nuclear energy" with the goal of increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to 15 percent by 2020.

CNN: Obama warns recession makes climate change fight harder

Until there is a price on carbon, along with other clean energy policies, these profits will likely continue, fossil fuel consumption will keep rising and clean energy will struggle to compete on an uneven playing field.

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They include more oversight over the financial system and executive pay, extending health insurance to the 15% of Americans who lack it, shifting energy consumption from fossil to renewable fuels, and redistributing income from the wealthy to the middle-class.

ECONOMIST: Government v market in America

The use of renewable energy sources will decrease the Army's fossil fuel consumption, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more assured energy supply.

WHITEHOUSE: Energy and Environment Latest News | The White House

Coal is the third most consumed fossil fuel and will represent 28% of the world's energy consumption by 2035, according to a report by the Department of Energy.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Study after study has pegged energy efficiency as the lowest-cost way to curb fossil-fuel consumption and the resulting greenhouse-gas emissions.

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