It’s Time for a Clean Energy Revolution

 

Living in an affluent first-world society there is a good chance you only think about energy when you stop to whinge about how the rates are going up.

But universal access to affordable and clean renewable energy is a major issue that needs attention.

This is why Sustainable Development Goal 7 is “Affordable and clean energy.” With 1 in 7 people across the globe still lacking access this remains an issue that needs exploration.

The good news is the top minds across the globe are looking for solutions.

Let’s take a better look at our relationship to energy.

It’s probably not shocking to learn our current method of electricity generation is damaging. Its generation, in fact, is responsible for 66% of the sulfur dioxide, 40% of the mercury, 37% of the carbon dioxide and 25% of the nitrogen oxide. This in turn introduces more acid into our environment, which is obviously not good.

Much like our reliance on gas, we need a solution yesterday but convincing people we need a new method is tough.

What’s even worse is when you look at alternate sources of energy and their damaging effects. Coal, the fossil fuel options, natural gas, none are long-term options if we are aiming to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

The good news? Renewable energy is gaining traction.

Biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind energy are becoming stronger presences in the marketplace and people are overwhelmingly showing they are willing to explore these methods.

The development and adoption of renewable energy is of major importance in the developing world. This is where the effects of climate change are really being felt even though they don’t necessarily have the access to the technology and resources that caused the crisis. The question raised, of course, is whether it’s fair to insist they limit their use of technologies we used to grow into economic powerhouses.

The solution is to support them as they find another answer.

It won’t be hard to offer this assistance, as these countries overwhelmingly want to rely on renewables. In fact starting in 2016 renewable energy investments in developing countries have overtaken the investments made by developed countries.

According to Climatescope the current leader in energy transition is Chile, followed by India, Jordan, Brazil and Rwanda. These countries are making amazing strides towards a clean and renewable world.

The good news is we have mechanisms set in play to offer vital financial assistance. Through Feed-in Tariffs and ESCOs—and of course government funding— innovators are getting the backing they need to support new energy projects.

Although it’s not fair that developing countries are having to clean up the mess made by developed countries we may find that they are the minds best suited to develop the needed solutions.

The SDGs are important. We know this. Reaching them needs to be a worldwide effort. At the same time, though, we need to understand that we won’t be able to sell them to the (first world) masses if the cost and change is seen as too drastic.

This is why we need an energy revolution. We cannot sustain life on this planet if we don’t move past our damaging energy models. New technologies are what will save us.

I know we can do this. Let’s make sure the right minds have the right support so we can find the innovations we need to enact a successful revolution.