New research shows that wind and solar can meet 80% of Germany's power demand, with biogas and hydropower providing the balance, writes Keith Barnham. And if Germany can do it, so can other countries, many of them even more easily - with no need for fossil fuels or nuclear power. COP21 should raise its ambitions and commit to a 100% renewable electricity future, everywhere.
… News COP21 Energy Climate Change Renewables solar-germany-cut.jpg New research shows that wind and solar can meet 80% of Germany's power demand, … that the reliability objection is a myth. Solar PV and wind power are complementary. …
'My solar ironing cart shows we have the technology to stop climate breakdown.'
… Fund vinisha_ironing_cart_image_.jpg 'My solar ironing cart shows we have the … up with an alternative, an innovation: the solar ironing cart. New beginnings come back … of renewable energy, the science behind solar energy and different kinds of electrical …
As world leaders convene in Paris for the COP21 climate summit, the major task before them is to replace fossil energy generation with renewables, writes Paul N Edwards - and with the right incentives, it could happen fast. For developing countries it's different: they could skip over fossil fuels much as they have gone straight for mobile telephony. But will they seize the opportunity?
… coal-fired power plant were exchanged for solar, wind or hydro, and every dead … when and where governments support that goal. Solar and wind power installations are … load-balancing techniques ). But wind and solar can also provide power 'off-grid' to …
Britain has a huge role in effecting the global energy transition to renewables, new shadow energy secretary Lisa Nandy told the Labour Party Conference. But that will mean a complete reversal of Tory policies to attack wind and solar, lock us into polluting fossil fuels and overpriced nuclear power, and maintain 'big six' profits at consumers' expense.
… UK Climate Change COP21 Corporations westmill-solar-cut.jpg Britain has a huge role in … reversal of Tory policies to attack wind and solar, lock us into polluting fossil fuels and … is pioneering clean tech innovation using solar energy to connect millions of people to …
China's growing 'bling' culture has taken off big time, writes Thembi Mutch - yet it is widely reviled among ordinary people who in the face of China's industrial boom hold resolutely to traditional values of economy and frugality, quietly yearning for the old days of clean air and safe, wholesome food to fill their stomachs.
… may be soon. Chinese domestic consumption of solar light bulbs (and new-builds with Solar as standard) has shot up, and an entire Solar Valley has been built. For the first …
A climate negotiators gather in Paris for COP21, the WMO say that a combination of human and natural causes will make 2015 temperatures the hottest ever - half way to the 2C 'safety threshold'. But despite the ever falling price of solar and wind, many newly industrialising countries are insisting on coal-fired development.
… But despite the ever falling price of solar and wind, many newly industrialising … by 2030. In fact, renewables like wind and solar are becoming ever cheaper, and in good … power grids, with technologies like wind, solar, biogas and small hydro creating …
We need a renewable energy revolution, an end to fracking, no new nuclear power, efficient homes, and the break up of our energy cartels, writes Jeremy Corbyn, All that, and strong protection for wildlife and oceans, no TTIP trade deal with the US, clean air to breathe, and massive investment in public transport. Is there anything not to like?
… Energy Climate Change Nuclear Renewables Solar Health Transport Pollution … fifth of our electricity. Under Tory cuts to solar, wind and home insulation programmes, … energy projects (onshore wind and large solar), investing in low-emission transport …
China is struggling with a myriad of environmental challenges, writes Thembi Mutch, as the country 'develops' at breakneck speed with massive construction projects, and industrial expansion. But amid the chaos and filth, the Chinese people are mindful of their history and ancient principles of harmony with nature - something that many are working hard to restore.
… destruction and erosion. It also embraced the solar revolution (doing expensive early … of these towns will be wind-powered, and have solar panels, and the world's first carbon … bought out all the licences and patents for solar inverters and panels in the 90's, …
Viticulture is growing at a rate of knots in India, and the country's largest winery is leading by environmental example
… Pest Control Pollution Rajeev Samant Solar Water Heating Bottle Wineries … practices. These include the use of solar water-heating to meet the winery's hot … are no-brainers in terms of economics. Solar water heating, for example, gives you a …
What's not to like about the promise of billions of dollars for clean energy R&D? It's that we need to get the global energy transition moving right now, writes Ambuj D Sagar, not ten years hence. The billions should go into the immediate global deployment of the renewable technologies we have already got.
… 2015 Comment COP21 Energy Renewables Un solar-india-cut.jpg What's not to like about … and other technologies, such as wind, solar and energy-efficiency. This, in turn, … complex, each technology - whether it's a solar-powered microgrids or long-distance …
Levels of CO2 are at their the highest in 800,000 years, writes Tim Radford, but news of a probable decline in emissions this year is providing welcome cheer at the COP21 climate summit: thanks to renewables, economic growth and falling emissions can go hand in hand.
… greater efficiency and a shift to wind and solar power began to slow the rate at which … in 2014 was met from hydro, nuclear, wind and solar power. China is responsible for 27% of …
The aviation industry has its climate change plans, car manufacturers are working on 'eco' alternatives, and rail is considered top of the class, but what has the transport mode that delivers 90 per cent of goods to the UK done to improve upon its environmental credentials?
… Trade Emissions Pollution Particulates solarshiplarge.jpg The aviation industry has … has also proved a problem. Technology: Solar sails Promoter: Solar Sailor How does it work?: Combining the …
Last week a new billionaires club strode into COP21 in Paris promising big money for 'clean energy': the Breakthrough Energy Coalition. But most of its members are nuclear obsessives, writes Linda Pentz Gunter, from Bill Gates to Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson. And what the the world needs is not 'patient investment' into nuclear research, but impatient investment into renewables deployment.
… could, on a massive scale, deploy wind, solar and geothermal energy, technologies that … Gates setting out research priorities lists 'solar paint', 'solar chemical' and flow batteries, with no …
Boading, dubbed China's 'greenest city', is the world's biggest maker of solar panels and wind turbines, write Caleb Goods & Carla Lipsig-Mumme. But it's also has the country's worst pollution. Green energy, electric cars and the batteries that power them are great, but with the heavy toxic footprint they carry from mine to factory, we must not delude ourselves that they are 'sustainable'.
… city', is the world's biggest maker of solar panels and wind turbines, write Caleb … enormous quantities of wind turbines and solar cells for the United States and Europe, …
With fuel bills rising and back in the news, bizarrely it’s green energy in the firing line.
… fleet. Germany generates 200 times more solar than us and 10 times more wind. While … Labour last year fitted 270 households with solar panels, Germany fitted 130,000. …
The Trump Presidency may not be the climate disaster that many fear, writes Joe Ware. The transition to clean energy is increasingly driven by technology and economics, not politics. it was Obama's 'all of the above' energy policy that enabled the fracking revolution. And pro-fossil fuel measures instituted by Trump will now galvanise massive domestic and international opposition.
… transition is now economic and technological. Solar and wind is now the cheapest form of … of wind farms and 89% supported more solar power. As President Trump attempts to …
In 2009 G20 nations pledged to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. But they are still supporting them with $452 billion a year. Worst offenders include the UK, the only G7 country that's ramping up its fossil fuel spending; and Turkey, host of tomorrow's G20 summit, which plans to double its CO2 emissions with a huge new fleet of coal power plants.
… "The UK has been cutting back support for solar power and energy efficiency, arguing … from economic low-carbon alternatives such as solar, wind and hydro-power. "In addition, the …
The Paris Agreement provides a clear mandate to limit global warming, writes Jeremy Brecher. And with governments doing nowhere near enough, it's up to ordinary citizens - through civil disobedience if needs be - to make sure the world breaks free from fossil fuels. Let's make 2016 the year of 'Climate Insurgency'!
… fuel divestment. [11] Over the last six years solar panels have become 75% cheaper and the … power; Bangladesh plans to run entirely on solar energy by 2020. The climate protection … Fair Development highlighting proposals for a solar farm on the site, zero-waste reuse and …
Seoul, host of this year's G20, is well on the way to achieving its goal of becoming one of the world's most eco-friendly cities. But, as Anna Sheldrick reports, there may be room for improvement elsewhere in South Korea
… READ MORE... NEWS South Korea hot for solar energy The town of Shinan in South Korea is planning to host the world’s largest solar power plant, following government plans …
An energy revolution that would take the world to 100% renewables in 15 years is possible, write Sam Cossar-Gilbert and Dipti Bhatnagar. We have the technology, and we even have the money - only it's currently being spent to subsidise fossil fuels. The time has come to tackle two hugely destructive and closely entwined crises - growing inequality and climate change.
… Change Renewables Finance COP21 Society solar-africa-cut.jpg An energy revolution that …
In this joint statement to COP21 Amnesty International and Greenpeace International call on all governments to protect human rights by including making respect for human rights an explicit purpose of any agreement, while agreeing to phase out fossil fuels and deliver 100% renewables for all by 2050.
… Rights COP21 Law Unfccc Energy Renewables solar-aid-cut.jpg In this joint statement to …
ITER, the elusive and multi-million dollar fusion fantasy, was yet another nuclear chimera introduced at the Paris COP21 climate talks as a 'solution' to our climate crisis, writes Linda Pentz Gunter. But the idea is pure fantasy: long before it can be made to work, if it ever can, it will have been made obsolete by harnessing the power of our giant fusion reactor in the sky: the Sun.
… Nuclear Technology Climate Change COP21 solar-tower-cut.jpg ITER, the elusive and …
The government's policies on climate, energy and industry are not merely stupid, writes Alan Simpson. The repeated cuts to renewables and energy efficiency, combined with limitless largesse to fossil fuels, has reached the point of insanity in the face of the UK's legal obligations and the growing climate crisis. Only we, the people, can end the madness.
… clean technologies (such as wind turbines and solar farms) were responsible for pushing up … installing better roofs, and including solar panels. With 50% of domestic carbon …
When the UK joined the EU in 1973, it was dubbed the 'dirty man of Europe' thanks to its out of control pollution, writes Craig Bennett. Since then EU laws have forced us to clean up our act. But if we leave, all that may go into the reverse, with terrible impacts on our air, water, health, and wildlife.
… of the UK government slashing subsidies for solar power and acting as cheer-leader in …