CHALLENGES
A cluster of intertwined problems today poses a historic threat towards the stability of our ecosystems and human development. We have only started to comprehend the gravity of this threat towards our future. However, we know more than enough to realize that failure to respond is simply not an option.
The challenge will be to properly identify the risks we are facing and use this knowledge to rethink how to supply resources for tomorrow's population.
Global warming poses a serious threat to human welfare, as well as to the stability of vital ecosystems. Emissions from energy generation make a large contribution to the total anthropogenic GHG-emissions (1).
There is a clear need for substantial cuts. Additionally, the global population is expected to increase from 6.5 to 9.5 billion people by 2050. Without a doubt, this will lead to an additional demand for energy. To meet this tremendous challenge we will need a broad spectrum of nonfossil sources of energy.
A number of recent reports identify increased use of biomass for energy purposes as one important solution. However, the additional 3 billion people will not only need energy. They will also need food. Adding to the complexity of the equation are significant predicted increases in water shortage and land degradation, combined with highly uncertain effects of global warming on future biomass production.
To sum it up: How shall we produce food for 9.5 billion people, while at the same time vastly increasing the use of biomass for energy, in a world characterized by dwindling water resources, increased land degradation and threats from global warming? 
References:
1) IEA (2008): World Energy Outlook. International Energy Agency