In pictures: Global sunshade

Perhaps electromagnetic power is the answer to the transportation question.

Electromagnetic power has been used to power trains, but never to launch rockets into space, largely because it is too expensive for a "one-off" - but with huge quantities of glass needing many launches, the figures could start to look more viable.

An electromagnetic launcher could be located near the summit of a mountain where the air is thinnest and the resistance of the Earth's atmosphere less.