Game over on global warming?

Tips from TerraPass Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif., include going back to clotheslines.

The company, which promotes alternative energy, says eliminating a family's dryer could save electricity equivalent to 1,016 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Socolow said the ultimate solution might rely on technology.

He said his research suggested that by improving energy efficiency now and phasing out fossil fuels over the next 100 years, carbon concentrations could remain within safe levels.

The biggest polluter, he said, should lead the way: "The U.S. is going to have to decarbonize."

alan.zarembo@latimes.com

*

Times staff writer Karen Kaplan contributed to this report

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Global emissions

--

Carbon dioxide is the largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions, and is expected to rise steadily in the coming decades.

--

Greenhouse gases, 2001

--

Carbon dioxide*: 82%

--

Other carbon dioxide: 2%

--

Other gases: 2%

--

Nitrous oxide: 5%

--

Methane: 9%

--

*From fossil fuel combustion

Global CO2 emissions by fuel type, 2006

--

Oil: 40%

Coal: 40%

Natural gas: 20%

--

Source: Department of Energy