We need an Energy Revolution

The University of Earth: Urgent Action Series: Energy Revolution to Solve Climate Change

This video for the University of Earth sees a panel discussion about the urgent action that needs to be taken for energy plans. The speaker reminds us that the emissions being spewed out globally are great and disastrous. Now is the time for action he insists.

The speaker insists we are beyond pilot projects and it is now time for a 15-20 year plan with a big budget that must be financially viable. It is essential to acquire private sector investment as the crisis has reached tipping point and action must be taken. However, to secure private sector investment there must be a concrete plan which is actionable and timeline. In addition the project must be scaled up and thoroughly planned.

This is the year when the fight against climate change could take a dramatic turn. The conference in Paris in December presents political and business leaders with the opportunity to take the critical decisions needed if we are to keep average temperature rises to no more than 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. According to the IPCC, humankind cannot emit more than 1,000 giga-tonnes of CO2 from now, if we are to stay within this limit. At the current and projected rate of consumption, this entire carbon budget will be used by 2040.

The project that is required must be stable and there must be good selling prospects for new countries to invest in solar energy. If there is going to be a large scale of deployment of green technologies there must be ample information regarding the technologies with professionals to explain anything that needs explaining. There are countries all over the world that can invest in green technologies and this is something that is set to continue.

The speaker reminded us that the massive polluter China has helped the price of solar panels drop 40% globally. Moreover China has created some very bold and ambitious energy plans that will really see it move into the top ranks of green entrepreneurial countries if it follows through.

So the key theme from this video is to get the ball rolling and get the project of a lifetime up on the roads. And beware of scope creep!

Links: https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/campaigns/climate-change/energyrevolution/ , https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/09/next-energy-revolution-already-here/

By Alex Mitchison