Renewable energy can help limit the most dangerous effects of climate change. The fast growth of renewable energy over recent years offers us a stronger chance of avoiding the worst effects of climate change. Last year, solar and wind combined made up 8.7% of global electricity generation, compared to 1.7% in 2010. Prediction models often assume that the growth of solar and wind will be linear; however, evidence shows this growth is actually exponential. This piece explores the reasons behind solar and wind’s growth and how we can continue to accelerate this. The rapid growth of solar and wind power in recent years has breathed hope into global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the most dangerous effects of climate change. In 2010, solar and wind combined made up only 1.7% of global electricity generation. By last year, it had climbed to 8.7% — far higher than what had previously been predicted by mainstream energy models. For example, in 2012 the International Energy Agency expected that global solar energy generation would reach 550 terrawatt-hours in 2030, but that number was exceeded by 2018. These models often assume that the growth of solar and wind will be linear, […]
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