Clean energy is here to stay
Christiana Figueres (one of the architects of the Paris Agreement on climate in 2015) emphasised this in her recent speech to the Reuters Institute of Politics.
What on Earth does this mean? Is it good news?
It means, as she also said in her speech, that “the world is heading in the right direction” (on the climate) just not fast enough.
Decarbonisation means moving from fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil to renewable and carbon-free energy sources. It means that (in spite of the craziness of the present American government) the world will continue to move forward on the production of clean energy. This clean energy is and will be vital for a number of different sectors such as industrial and domestic use, and transport in all its forms.
It means that, in the words of the International Energy Commission “the impressive growth in clean energy investments in recent years has been led by renewable power. Annual spending on solar PV and wind projects has risen by more than $300 billion in the last five years. Deployment has been driven by a virtuous circle of policy support and cost reductions. The global energy crisis – – — – has redoubled policy momentum in recent years.” In other words, politicians are getting the message.
Electric Vehicles
According to Autovista 24 “the global electric vehicle (EV) market recorded double digit growth across 2024.” Statista marketing forecasters also said “In 2025 the market for electric vehicles is set to reach a staggering $784 billion worldwide.”
Conversion to renewable energy does not just involve new technology. It involves many other additional issues that need to be thought about. For example, the British government has recently set out its plans for offshore wind developments. It is clear that the issue of planning consent is also vital to an accelerated production of offshore schemes. At the same time the government must think about environmental impacts and the unlocking of finance for these projects.
This “China briefing” shows that China has thought through the process of changing to renewable energy very thoroughly. The briefing is quite complicated but shows very nicely the depth of thought that has gone into its planning. For example, it says, “Strategies such as peak pricing and market adjustments will guide consumer behaviour towards more efficient energy use, particularly in key sectors like industry, buildings, and transportation.”
China has made its decision, and committed to the move to clean energy. For the sake of a liveable future, the rest of our governments need to do that too, and fast.
We are moving forward but not fast enough
So Christiana Figueres is right on both fronts I believe. The world will not now turn its back on renewable energy. It is too clean, too cheap and too efficient. It is also creating a vast number of new jobs. But we are not moving fast enough. We need to encourage our governments to move faster. We can do that partly by buying into the whole clean fuels market. By installing heat pumps, solar panels and electric cars if we can at all afford it. And by talking to our friends, family and neighbours and passing on the news that they can help too.
However, there is more to the problems the world is facing than just renewable energy, wonderful as that is. There are many issues that we need to tackle right now to cut back on our use of fossil fuels. To have any chance at all of sticking to a 1.5°C increase in global temperature we need to do it now.
Food
Our Food Production System
A report by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food emphasizes that “Fossil Fuel use is by far the biggest driver of Climate Change.” They believe that Food Systems currently account for about 15% of fossil fuel use per year. So food systems transformation is a crucial part of keeping global warming below 1.5°C. At present fossil fuels in food production are used for mechanised machinery like tractors etc, for fertilisers, food transport, plastic for wrapping food, mechanised supply chains for meat, dairy and ultra-processed foods. There is room here for clean energy and for us to change many of our personal habits.
The Fast Fashion Industry
In an article on the hidden alliance between fast fashion and the use of fossil fuels it becomes very clear that we are buying more clothes than ever before, and wearing them for a much shorter time.
This is obviously producing an appalling amount of waste and pollution. If the fashion industry continues with “business as usual” then in ten years’ time three quarters of our textiles will come from fossil fuels.
There are obvious things that we as individuals can do here: buy fewer clothes, buy a few more expensive clothes made from natural fibres, buy second-hand clothing, swap clothes with friends, use reputable companies that care about these things.
Forests in the Mist
Loss of Biodiversity
Yes, we need to stop using fossil fuels, but we also need to start taking care of Nature.
To stop deforestation is vital. The forests of the world are part of our planet’s life-support system, and vital for a decent future for humanity. The trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and prevent some of the damage we do when we burn fossil fuels. Unfortunately, many people in the world are greedy, self-centred and stupid! They put profit or power before our future.
Donald Trump has this week threatened to log vast numbers of trees from American forests. Cutting down our forests is like sawing off the branch of a tree one is sitting on. So we must act. But I ask myself what can I – and we – do apart from weep in horror and frustration? I ask all sensible Americans to contact their political representatives. Bombard them with letters and phone calls about protecting the forests. Take them to court and definitely don’t vote for them if they won’t act against this sacrilege. This also applies to the plundering of forests in other countries.
What else can we do?
These are only a few of the changes that we urgently need to make. We can be pleased and motivated by the fact that renewable energy is doing so well. It is clear that while the present US administration can do a lot of damage to our fight to deal with Climate Change, it will not stop the progress of renewable energy.
However, as I have made clear there are other things that need doing. Please look into your heart, think of the future of your children and ask, “What can I do?”
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Photos by Karsten Würth, Markus Spiske and Marita Kavelashvili on Unsplash