Every year in late November, it is the same thing: the very respected International Energy Agency publishes its World Energy Outlook. This year’s edition is interesting in more than one aspect.
Renewables
Further to the election in the United States, a lot of people are fearing that this may be a death blow to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Reasons to remain hopeful for the climate
For long, China was seen as a climate villain, fuelling its amazing economic growth by burning more and more coal. But times are changing, and the People’s Republic is emerging as a climate leader.
China’s holistic approach to combatting climate change
1 This was the opinion developed in The Guardian this summer and I have to say that I agree. Even if 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 – or even sooner – seems like the ultimate climate change goal, it will not be enough as the whole Capitalistic system needs an overhaul.
Renewables won’t be enough to save us from climate change
Another world is possible. It is always a question of public willingness. The latest example of this is Costa Rica – 4.9 million inhabitants strong – which ran for almost four months on a hundred percent renewable electricity.
Costa Rican electricity was 100 percent renewables for 113 days
The agreement signed late last month may be the beginning of a new era of collaboration on climate change as the three North American countries signed an agreement to push cleantech and fight climate change.
Canada, the US and Mexico to partner on energy
2 Concentrated Solar Power, or CSP, is another possible technology to generate electricity from the sun. While it can store energy and thus provide electricity after the sun went down, the global current capacity is still around 5,000 MW, compared to solar PV’s being above 220,000 MW.
Concentrated Solar Power to get major boost
India is the world’s most populated country and still relatively poor. As thus, its energy choices will influence in a major way our common future.
India shows strong climate leadership
According to two recent studies, 2015 was yet another record year for renewable energy sources as no less than $285.9 billion (256 billion euros) have been invested in that sector last year.
2015 was another record year for renewables
This article is a slightly re-written assignment I had to write for my Certficate in Sustainable Energy Solutions at Pinchot University. Hope you will like it !
Energy and the healthcare sector
I stated early this year that 2016 would be a bad year for fossil fuels. It seems I was quite right as bad news keep on piling for coal in the United States.
America is ditching coal
1 For my Certificate in Sustainable Energy Solutions we have had classes all year long on various topics such as renewable energy, water, waste, heat and more. Every month we have indeed been privileged to talk to guest speakers who are specialists in their respective areas.