不定项选择题 Politicians, consumers and companies are on a journey of discovery about climate change and the energy business. The first stage, in the early 2010s, was characterized by indifference. The second phase, in the past few years, has involved setting idealistic emissions-cutting targets far in the future that cost little today. In 2022 the third stage of the journey will get under way, amid dangerously volatile energy prices, fears of greenflation and rising geopolitical risks. It will require realism about the task ahead.
In 2021 the world was awash in easy promises. Some 70 countries, accounting for two-thirds of global carbon emissions had net-zero targets to be met by mid-century. When it came the reality check was brutal. A surging economy in mid-2021 pushed up energy demand. By October the price of a basket of fossil fuels was up by 95% year on year. India faced blackouts and Europe a lack of gas. A shortage of fossil fuels, which account for 83% of primary energy use threatened to push global inflation above 5%, hurt growth and spook the public. In response, politicians turned back the clock. India raised coal output, Britain turned its dirtiest power plants back on, and as the oil price hit $80 a barrel, the White House urged OPEC to boost exports.
In 2022 attention will turn to making the energy system less fragile. The easiest bit is fairly technical. Most grids struggle to handle the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind energy so more reliable base-load power is needed that is not coal-fired. Natural gas will come back in fashion and there will be a global rehabilitation of nuclear power, which produces no greenhouse-gas emissions. In the years since the Fukushima disaster of 2011 its share of primary energy use has faded to 4%, but more countries will seek to emulate France, where the figure is 36%New battery, hydrogen and carbon-capture technologies may eventually help, but they are not ready for prime time.
Meanwhile, a chaos of mixed signals-stigma virtue signaling, subsidies, legal cases and regulations-means that investment in the energy industry is running at less than half the $5trn annual rate needed to get to net zero by mid-century.
The hardest part of the coming year of realism will involve being honest with the public. Because energy investment needs to increase from 2% of world GDP to 5%, bills and taxes must rise. Politicians can try to preempt the inevitable backlash by using the proceeds of carbon taxes to help the poor. If energy prices continue to soar in 2022, there will be protests both on the streets and at the ballot box. But if the squeeze eases, then the year could end with energy policy on a more solid foundation. The chances of the world hitting its net zero targets will still be remote, but grid designs, investment incentives and fiscal plans may be in better shape.
What is the best title for the passage? ( )

A Idealism on energy policy

B The reality on energy policy

C A better future for the world

D The price of fossil fuels