To the Editor:

Re “Blueprints for Taming the Climate Crisis,” by Eduardo Porter (Economic Scene column, July 9):

Any blueprint for grappling with climate change must simultaneously factor in the water use involved in the technological options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a fact inadequately addressed in the United Nations report cited by Mr. Porter. Electricity technologies are no exception.

As noted in a 2011 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, low-carbon-emitting electricity technologies are not necessarily low-water use. We need to carefully consider the carbon/water trade-offs.

As for the role nuclear energy technology can play, the Union of Concerned Scientists report explains, “On average in 2008, plants in the U.S. nuclear fleet withdrew nearly eight times more freshwater than natural gas plants per unit of electricity generated, and 11 percent more than coal plants.”

Instead we should pursue those technologies that are both low-carbon and low-water, like solar photovoltaic cells, wind power and energy efficiency. The energy technologies we choose to power tomorrow’s world can — and should — protect our finite water resources while reducing carbon emissions.