Janet Sawin
Renewable energy technologies have the potential to meet world energy demand many times over and are now ready for use on a large scale. The transition from today’s mix of fossil fuels, nuclear, and big hydropower to renewables would significantly reduce the threats that today’s fuel sources pose to the environment, public health and welfare, and international political stability.
The fossil fuel industry and governments of most oil-producing nations and major fossil fuel users like the United States have long argued that renewables were not a credible alternative. But it is difficult to claim that something is impossible once it has already occurred.
From Germany to rural China, renewable energy, especially wind power and solar (photovoltaic) power, has come of age. After more than a decade of double-digit growth, renewable energy is a multibillion-dollar global business. Wind power is leading the way in many nations, generating more than 20 percent of the electricity needs in some regions and countries, and is cost-competitive with many conventional energy technologies. Solar cells are already the most affordable option for getting modern energy services to hundreds of millions of people in developing countries.