Fossil fuels provide about 80% of the world’s energy and, despite dire predictions since the early 20th century, supplies will not run out any time soon, according to speakers at a AAAS discussion on meeting global energy demand.

“Oil is good for 50 years at current consumption rates, [and] could be extended longer as you go to more difficult resources,” said Steven E. Koonin, under secretary for science at the U.S. Department of Energy. “Coal—there are hundreds of years.”

While scientists from the United States and Europe have collaborated on research projects for decades, there is a new push to strengthen trans-Atlantic ties, including boosting American participation in a key European Union research program.

There are U.S. participants in about 260 of the 7000 projects funded so far under the seven-year program according to figures presented at a 13 May session of the annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy.

While scientists from the United States and Europe have collaborated on research projects for decades, there is a new push to strengthen trans-Atlantic ties, including boosting American participation in a key European Union research program.

There are U.S. participants in about 260 of the 7000 projects funded so far under the seven-year program according to figures presented at a 13 May session of the annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy.