The recent energy crisis in California and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have underscored the urgency of formulating strategies to meet our long-term energy needs, placing them in a global context. These strategies need to take into account concerns about resource depletion and environmental impact, as well as the development of a range of energy technologies. In light of this urgency, we are launching a five-part series, "Tapping Our Energy Resources," examining energy issues from various perspectives.
        In this month's opening article, Bertram Wolfe argues that the Bush administration's energy plan falls short of addressing the long-term implications of such issues as rising energy demand, declining fossil fuel reserves, and possible global warming from carbon dioxide emissions. To help meet the world's energy needs over the long run, Wolfe advocates a massive buildup of nuclear power facilities, including completion of the breeder reactor.
        Our second piece, in the March issue, will explain how most of our new electrical energy demands could be met economically and efficiently by distributed power generation--that is, by setting up relatively small generators near our homes. In subsequent months, we will look at important developments in the areas of renewable energy resources and fossil fuel technologies, and how they may factor into the energy equation. The final article will analyze modern society's energy appetite--from automobiles and home appliances to manufacturing plants and Internet server farms.
--The Editors