100% clean and renewable wind, water, and solar (WWS)
all-sector energy roadmaps for 139 countries of the world
[ click on image to enlarge ]
Above image is from a new study by Jacobson et al. [draft]. This excellent study shows that it is technically and economically feasible to shift to clean energy facilities between now and 2050. It will create net jobs worldwide. It will avoid millions of air-pollution mortalities and avoid trillions of dollars in pollution and global warming damage. It will stabilize energy prices and reduce energy poverty. It will make countries energy independent and reduce international conflict over energy. It will reduce risks of large-scale system disruptions by significantly decentralizing power production.
Given that there are so many benefits and there are no technical and economic barriers to complete the shift by the year 2050, why not make an even faster transition?
Sam Carana suggests that feebates, especially when implemented locally, can best facilitate the necessary shift. Moreover, when energy feebates are implemented jointly with feebates in further areas, greenhouse gas emissions could be cut by 80% by 2020, while soils, atmosphere and oceans could be restored to their pre-industrial status over the course of the century.
To achieve this, Sam Carana recommends implementing two types of feebates, i.e. energy feebates and further feebates such as fees on sales of livestock products while using the revenues to fund rebates on soil supplements containing biochar.
Sam Carana adds that further lines of action will be needed to prevent Earth from overheating, warning that comprehensive and effective action is needed as described in the Climate Plan.
The image below shows that a shift to 100% clean (WWS) energy by 2050 (80% by 2030) could reduce CO2 to ~350 ppmv by 2100.
Energy feebates are the most effective way to speed up the shift to clean energy. Further feebates could make additional cuts in greenhouse gases emissions, while also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans, allowing us to aim for bringing down carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to 280 ppmv by the year 2100.
Links
- How Renewable Energy Could Make Climate Treaties Moot
A new study by Jacobson et al. shows that it is technically and economically feasible to shift to clean energy... Posted by Sam Carana on Saturday, November 21, 2015
