Five of the toughest energy questions for scientists

1. Could we support our current western lifestyle with only "renewable" energy?

2. Do you agree with the US Joint Forces Command (JFC) that spare capacity in global oil production may very well disappear in 2012 and a shortfall of 10m barrels per day develop by 2015?

3. The world's population is due to rise to 9 billion people. Can the planet supply the energy needed to achieve that end?

4. What's your best case scenario for the world's energy supply mix in 50 years time? What's your worst case scenario? And where you you think we'll actually be?

5. Is energy storage - ie battery technology - one of the biggest things holding back renewables and widespread energy efficiency?

Answers.