The first ever global life-cycle assessment of clean energy sources shows that a renewable system could supply the world's entire electricity needs by mid-century, writes Tim Radford.
… tried to consider the whole-life costs of solar power, wind power, hydropower and gas … that the large-scale implementation of wind, [solar] PV, and CSP [Concentrated Solar Power] has the potential to reduce …
As China pursues a startling array of energy, mining, logging, agricultural, transport and other infrastructure projects on virtually every continent, it is having an unprecedented impact on the planet, writes William Laurance. It's not that China is any worse than historic colonial powers - the difference is in the sheer scale and pace of environmental destruction, and the total lack of oversight under which Chinese mega-corporations operate.
… activities, such as investing heavily in solar and wind energy , cracking down on its … . Yes, China is investing in new wind and solar technologies, but it is plowing far more …
Copper underwires the modern world, running through everything from the gas guzzler to the wind turbine. Any country that finds substantial reserves of the metal ought to consider itself to have struck gold. That is, until you let the World Bank decide how your mines should be run…
… as the world’s most economically viable solar panels: copper-indium-gallium-selenide …
JP Morgan's announcement that it's pulling out of coal is purest doublespeak, writes Assaad Razzouk. But it's not the only financier to engage in climate hypocrisy, as banks prepare to lend $5 trillion to build 2,440 new coal power stations. To deliver the Paris Agreement they - and the loans that would finance them - must be cancelled.
… what they were prepared to provide to new solar or wind power plants. And the same …
To tackle its serious air pollution, China is imposing stringent restrictions on dirty coal high in ash or sulphur, writes Shabbir Ahmad. One result: half of Australia's coal exports to China face exclusion, or extra 'washing' costs. But Australia's response is not to raise environmental quality. Instead, it's increasing production.
… it through renewable energy including hydro, solar and wind power. But all is not yet lost …
Venezuela is set to hand over 12% of the nation's territory in the upper reaches of the Amazon rainforest to mining corporations, writes Lucio Marcello, with 150 companies from 35 countries poised to devastate the army-controlled 'special economic zone'. But resistance is growing, and a counter-proposal aims to protect the area's precious biodiversity, indigenous cultures and water resources in a new South Orinoco Mega Reserve.
… Change agreement), the country's wind and solar power potential is huge. Tourism could …
Community leaders from Colombia, the Philippines and Uganda have been in London challenging attendees of the Mines and Money Conference. HANNIBAL RHOADES, TATIANA GARAVITO and SEBASTIAN ORDONEZ report.
… alternative sources of energy, such as solar energy, so that we reduce dependence on …
The world produces over a billion tonnes a year of dangerously caustic wastes, write Helena Gomes, Mike Rogerson & Will Mayes. They are currently being dumped, although they could be used to sequester a gigatonne of CO2 from the atmosphere - while also yielding minerals essential for key renewable energy technologies.
… cells, and rare earth elements crucial for solar power systems. The obvious solution: try …
The renewable power boom is excellent news for people and planet, writes Pete Dolack. But let's not get carried away: much energy that claims to be 'renewable; like biomass and big hydro, is no such thing. And greening our energy is just one of many steps to a sustainable world. The greatest challenges - like tackling the monster of infinite 'growth' - all lie ahead.
… power and biomass, and to a lesser degree on solar energy. But just because energy from …
President Obama's whistlestop Alaskan tour highlighted his unique ability to believe in two completely contradictory ideas at once, writes Timothy Clark. On the one hand, the importance of climate change and the urgency of preventing dangerous warming. On the other, the importance of the Arctic's fossil energy and the urgent need to exploit it as rapidly and completely as possible.
… electricity from renewables such as wind and solar; and consuming less petroleum while …
Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN)
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The Karen Indigenous People in Myanmar founded the Salween Peace Park to protect their mega-diverse territory and their culture from extractivism and conflict.
… we propose small hydropower and decentralised solar power. Instead of large-scale mining and …
Lithium is a key global resource for the global energy transition thanks to its role in the lightweight, efficient batteries that will power cars and balance power grids, writes Rafael Sagárnaga López. But the booming demand threatens to contaminate one of the world's great wonders, the Salar de Uyuni, 12,000 feet high in the Bolivia's Andes, which holds 70% of the world's lithium reserves.
… and potassium compounds with the help of solar evaporation. Around the periphery there …
The impending renewal of the license for a uranium mine in Nebraska has ignited a years long resistance among those - most of them women - for whom good health and safe, clean water in the Ogallala aquifer is as important as life itself, writes Suree Towfighnia. But for others, jobs and money come first. Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must reach its decision.
… there are other ways to get energy - wind, solar and industrial hemp - but there is no …
The world’s favourite precious metal is hiding a dirty little secret. Laura Sevier reports on the truth behind the glitter, and asks whether gold can ever be green
… community with eco-friendly agriculture and solar powered electricity – gold is just one …
The opencast coal mine at Ffos-y-Fran near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales is the UK’s largest - and has produced eight million tonnes of coal. Now Miller Argent, the owner and operator, wants to extend the mine. Banks Mining has applied for planning permission to begin a new mine at Highthorn, in Northumberland. The application will go before Sajid Javid, the Communities Secretary, today. MAT HOPE of DeSmog UK spoke to the people most affected.
… of renewable technologies such as wind and solar to generate power. This potentially …
For Saskatchewan, uranium is an important part of the economy, but for the province's indigenous peoples, the land is everything. It is filled with relationships between beings who dwell together in an interconnected web. Their traditional ecological knowledge is not just a set of terms or data, but a deep, broadly-viewed reality which contains systematic respect for all creation.
… now bringing us such great options in solar, wind and geothermal, it doesn't make …