Demand for renewable energy, particularly solar panels, is growing at an exponential rate.
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Demand for renewable energy, particularly solar panels, is growing at an exponential rate. But the shift to solar, wind, EVs and other sustainable tech solutions has sparked an environmentally destructive mining boom and is itself carbon intensive.
Even as renewables boom, we’re burning more fossil fuels than ever, setting new records for emissions. High tech alone can’t save the world from catastrophic climate change; only massive cuts in fossil fuels can do that.
Renewables won’t save us from climate catastrophe, experts warn; what will?
Environmental science and conservation news
Mongabay Environmental News (news.mongabay.com)
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@gerrymcgovern Cutting fossil fuels without having renewables ready to replace the lost energy will result in energy shortages. And we know from recent experience in Europe that energy shortages harm the poor the most.
The solution is to push more renewables. We are getting very close to peak emissions with our current approach. That will happen when the growth in renewables exceeds the growth in energy demand. At that point, fossil energy will be a losing investment.
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@dan613 @gerrymcgovern The other critical long-term elements are building electrification and industry.
There *has* to be a ban on the installation of gas appliances in new buildings.
In existing smaller residential buildings, there has to be government support for swapping gas water, heating, and cooking appliances for electric.
In larger buildings, swapping gas boilers for electric heat pumps is more challenging, and often involves structural works. Again, government subsidies can help make it happen.
The most challenging piece is industry. But here, a strong industry plan and subsidies can transition heavy industry from toxic methane gas to green hydrogen.
It's challenging, yes, but it can be done.
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