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Ramping up policies that encourage the investment in and distribution of renewable energy could help energy sources like wind, solar and hydro overtake coal more quickly.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released their annual World Energy Outlook today, which states that by 2015 renewable energy resources will become the second largest source of electricity, moving ahead of gas but still sitting behind coal.

The IEA’s World Energy Outlook estimates, however, were made from a "pessimistic" perspective, assuming that no global action will be taken to stem climate change.

Without a climate deal, however, things look pretty grim. According to the Outlook, "without a change in policy, the world is on a path for a rise in global temperature of up to 6 degrees C."

So what if the world's leaders were to strike a climate deal? According to the Outlook, covered in this article from Reuters, if action is taken soon to “penalize greenhouse gases and support low-carbon renewables," energy sources such as wind, solar and hydro power will catch up even more rapidly:

"Renewables-based electricity generation is expected to grow substantially over the coming decades, benefiting from high fossil-fuel prices, declining investment costs and government support."

The IEA crunched the numbers and ran two scenarios limiting global warming to 2 or 3 degrees Celsius:

Under the more ambitious, 2 degrees outcome the IEA said renewable sources of energy would account for 40 percent of global electricity generation by 2030, compared to 23 percent in the reference case.

Some factors that could help renewable energy grow include an increase in funding for R&D, an increase in investment for electricity networks, and regulations that encourage the distribution of electricity from renewable resources.

We must not as a nation forget the role the high cost of our dependence on foreign fuel played in the demise of our automakers. The exorbitant cost of gas the past year has done serious damage to our economy and society. We need to take lessons from our mistakes.WE also need to get out from under the grip our dependence on fore gin oil has on us. Why not take some of these billions and invest in America becoming energy independent. Driving an electric car would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon. The electricity could be generated by solar or wind power. Green technology would create millions of badly needed new jobs. What America needs is a green revolution. It is time for us to move forward with alternative energy. I just read Jeff Wilson's new book The Manhattan Project of 2009. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about the downward spiral of our economy and it's effect on our society and would like to see our country become energy independent!

Posted by: sj on November 13, 2008 6:36 PM

We can all contribute to cleaning up the environment if we would move from gas combustion engines to electric vehicles.

This is great, Electric Vehicle advocates need to check this out.

First legitimate electric car coming to the market.
Safe, reliable and affordable.

Article:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/electric-c100-vehicle.html

Video-You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=begreenadvocate&search_type=&aq=f

BeGreen Advocate

Posted by: BeGreen on November 14, 2008 8:49 AM

To move toward a sustainable future we need to look at different ways of providing finance for ideas, products, research, people and companies.

I am currently working towards setting up a green fund in Australia, to look outside the square and to find alternatives to current financing.

Many great ideas will never see the light of day if they do not receive funding.

Quote: A journey of thousand miles starts with the first step.

Posted by: Ian Cleland on November 14, 2008 6:40 PM

Pune (India)

Producing power from rice husk needs serous consideration from the policy makers, especially those of rice producing, developing countris. The rice husk ash, produced after burning rice husk under controlled condition possesses excellent pozzolanic properties and can be used as a mineral admixture to partially replace cement, while making concrete

Posted by: Dr J D Bapat on January 2, 2009 5:37 PM

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