In a game-changing speech reminiscent of JFK’s call to put a man on the moon, Al Gore calls for the US to abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels within a decade, and ties it directly to the economy and national security.
“We’re borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet,” Mr. Gore said. “Every bit of that’s got to change.”
…and here’s a technical feasibility article by energy banker and international geopolitical author Jerome Guillet on moving to 100% electricity from renewables by 2020. The final paragraph below…
While a goal of 100% of carbon-free electricity is probably unrealistic, it therefore seems possible to get pretty close to that, especially if [existing] nuclear and hydro are included in the mix. A plan that announced a specific goal of 40-50% of wind-generated electricity by 2020 and 10-20% of solar, with the appropriate feed-in mechanisms, demand guarantees for manufacturers and investment in the grid would therefore be realistic, make economic sense, and fulfill two major strategic goals: reduce carbon emissions, and lower fossil fuel demand.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Yep, every bit of that has got to change. Sunny days ahead!
Hi folks – just got back from the glorious Sierra Nevada (in lovely Robin’s 38mpg Saturn). ‘Twas a bit of a shock to run my head against all the issues you have covered in the blog; so tempting to write replies to everything…. So I’ll try to limit myself to a couple of points.
1. Why all the sadness about American soldiers? Bush and Cheney’s illegal war has killed OVER A MILLION IRAQUIS, for the crime of being born in a land with Oil under it. Anyone who joins the military, or in any way serves the Complex, shares the responsibilty for mass murder.
2. The energy policy analysis was interesting. But (admittedly after only a quick glance) I’m puzzled about why it specifies 40-50% of wind-generated electricity, yet only 10-20% of solar. Surely we in SoCal have enough sunshine to make that figure 80 or even 90%?
I’m sure you know about the Million Solar Roofs in California program.
Which leads me to a possible practical exercise:
3. Those who know me will know my lovely Angelina, the (mildly rusted) blue 1973 Nissan with the camper covered in stickers. She has served me brilliantly as home, transportation, and adventure palace since about 1990.
MY THOUGHT (on which I need a ton of advice) is that maybe Angelina could be converted into Ojai’s First Solar Powered Camper. I’m not much of a techie, but I’ll post some further thoughts on how this might be done, shortly. Meantime, contacts and suggestions would be wonderful to receive.
Peace be upon us all.