24 votes

The clean energy future is arriving faster than you think

6 comments

  1. [4]
    gpl
    Link
    This is a "gift" article so there should be no paywall. I thought this article did a nice job highlighting some positive climate news out of the last few years. Looking forward to reading more of...

    This is a "gift" article so there should be no paywall. I thought this article did a nice job highlighting some positive climate news out of the last few years. Looking forward to reading more of the series.

    7 votes
    1. [2]
      Skyaero
      Link Parent
      Thanks for the gift! It is a well put article and the data figures are really telling. Good to see the US catching up on Europe. I my opinion, the article does brush off two elements (maybe...

      Thanks for the gift!

      It is a well put article and the data figures are really telling. Good to see the US catching up on Europe.

      I my opinion, the article does brush off two elements (maybe because of brevity) that could have seen some more depth.

      The first is China: China is an outlier compared to Europe and the US. It's renewable energy production is doubling by 2025, but it's fossil fuel production is too. That is because China's energy demand is still increasingly fast, while in both Europe and the US, it is slowly declining. In Europe/US fossil fuel is replaced by renewables, in China it isn't. It is just another form of energy trying to fulfill the every growing demand.

      The second one is this quote:

      "Dozens of conservative groups organized by the Heritage Foundation have created a policy playbook, should a Republican win the 2024 presidential election, that would reverse course on lowering emissions. It would shred regulations designed to curb greenhouse gases, dismantle nearly every federal clean energy program and boost the production of fossil fuels."

      While a Republican in Office may kill the acceleration programs, in the end, even for a Republican, money talks. And the article makes very clear that solar and wind is significantly cheaper now than fossil fuels (and nuclear, but that's a whole different topic).

      The energy transition cannot be stopped.

      5 votes
      1. chocobean
        Link Parent
        Re:politics - what good is cheap energy for your constituents if they are willing to crucify you and back the other guy who rolls coal and screams obscenities about windmills? Better privately...

        Re:politics - what good is cheap energy for your constituents if they are willing to crucify you and back the other guy who rolls coal and screams obscenities about windmills? Better privately invest in green energy while publicly pretend to back coal and climate change denial.

        My point is that money talks but there's slightly more to politics than just money as well. It is coming but we should expect at least some speed bumps and not be discouraged when they appear.

        4 votes
    2. updawg
      Link Parent
      Someone still added the paywall label, so you should remove that. Maybe even protectively set it to "no paywall."

      Someone still added the paywall label, so you should remove that. Maybe even protectively set it to "no paywall."

      2 votes
  2. [2]
    eagle69
    Link
    I have solar panels and I'm very happy with them. But the time I need the most energy (currently natural gas) is the autumn and winter. Where I live those are the most rainy and gray days, with...

    I have solar panels and I'm very happy with them. But the time I need the most energy (currently natural gas) is the autumn and winter. Where I live those are the most rainy and gray days, with very little sun.

    So if I ever want to go fossil free, just solar panels aren't going to be the complete solution.

    7 votes
    1. gowestyoungman
      Link Parent
      Exactly. I have a small set but during winter they are virtually worthless. We live far north and between the sun rising very low for only 8 hrs a day and a not uncommon foot deep dump of wet snow...

      Exactly. I have a small set but during winter they are virtually worthless. We live far north and between the sun rising very low for only 8 hrs a day and a not uncommon foot deep dump of wet snow they barely produce enough to keep a light on. Propane/natural gas for heat and power is NOT going away soon up here.

      2 votes