Annan calls for new energy efficiency

UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called Wednesday for greater energy efficiency and technologies and increased investment in renewable sources.

"We need a revolution in energy efficiency," Annan said at the opening session of the 3-day High-Level Segment of the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York. "Conventional power stations waste 65 percent of the energy they generate. We must capture and use that excess heat and make greater use of hybrid vehicles and other energy-efficient technologies."

Annan said the cost of oil imposes economic burdens on some poor countries and contributes to climate change. He said the poor are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and will need help in adapting to its impact.

Indoor pollution has become one of the top 10 causes of mortality and premature death, said Annan, because 1.6 billion people live with no electricity and burn wood, dung and agricultural wastes for energy.

"We need to scale up investment in mature renewables, such as wind, hydro and solar energy," said Annan. "And we need to intensify research and development into promising longer-term sources such as tidal energy, ocean thermal conversion, hydrogen and fuel cells."