GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION
BASIC PRINCIPLES:
Increase human well-being without fossil fuels.
Fair energy access for all, including the 1.7 - 2 billion people left without power in our current fossil-fuel based energy system.
Respect for natural limits: use no more resources than the Earth can provide us and don’t emit more than the Earth and the atmosphere can take back (in particular CO₂ emissions). Phase out dirty, dangerous fuels like coal and nuclear. Use proven, existing renewable energy. Green technology already exists and has been proven to work.
The Way It Works
In the 2012 scenario, an ambitious energy efficiency program along with massive development of renewable energy happen in parallel, so that by 2050, the global electricity system is 95% powered by renewable energy. Power generation will move towards a decentralised system using local renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.
How It Will Help
If governments apply this green technology, it will become possible to reduce CO₂ emissions sufficiently to stop dangerous climate change. It also gives access to electricity to communities that currently don’t have any, ensuring a just and sustainable transition for developing countries. It also provides a secure and affordable energy supply to take into account for healthy economic growth.
Creating New Jobs.
By 2015 the global power and heating supply, could create 5 million more jobs than if business continues as usual.
By 2020 close to 13 million jobs in the renewables sector would be created due a much faster uptake of renewables - two-times more than today.
By 2030 the Energy creating and using Green Energy, will create about 18 million jobs — 12 million in the renewables sector alone. Without this fast growth in the renewable sector, global power jobs would be a mere 5.3 million.
Affordable Energy
In the business-as-usual scenario, electricity supply costs will nearly double by 2020. Unchecked growth in energy demand increases in fossil fuel prices and the cost of CO₂ emissions result in total electricity supply costs rising from today’s $2,300 billion US dollars per year to more than $4,000 billion in 2020, and $8,800 billion by 2050.
By moving away from fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions, we can stabilise energy costs for consumers. Between 2015 and 2020, most renewable energy sources will become cheaper than coa
What Governments Can Do
No more dirty energy. All plans for dirty energy power plants should be scrapped. The world simply cannot afford to go in the wrong direction anymore.
Stop fossil fuel subsidies. Coal and nuclear should no longer be encouraged by governments with interest-free loans and massive subsidies.
Implement feed-in-tariffs. These tariffs should help renewable energy to compete with dirty energy for the first few years they are on the market. After a few years, the feed-in tariffs can end.
What Each of Us Can Do
Join the crew of the virtual ship sailing towards a clean energy future. Spread the word. Tell the people you know that a future free of fossil fuel is possible. You can do this any way you want, from tweeting to presenting the all the facts to others that will help Implement it. Change your light blubs to the energy efficient type; insulate your home better, switch to a green energy supplier if they’re available in your country.
If you own your roof, install solar panels on it. Research which panels and which orientation are the most efficient to get the most out of your solar panels.
Ask your politician to follow. Research your representative’s position on energy. If they support coal and/or nuclear as energy sources, write to them (most representatives have their emails on their website) and ask them if they know about the Energy Revolution. Keep asking them to support renewable energy.