A 100 percent renewable world is possible | Let's Talk Climate Change

The effects of climate change require that we reflect on the most appropriate forms of energy production, since traditional electricity generation using fossil fuels leads to green house gas emissions as well as negative environmental impacts on air quality, water supply and land use, among others. This situation has focused attention on the possibility of creating a power supply that is 100 percent renewable, with renewable meaning non-depletable natural sources such as the sun, wind, and water.

A number of studies addressing this question have concluded that a 100 percent renewable world is feasible both technically and economically. The transition, of course, will not happen overnight, and the most optimistic studies—such as those of researchers from Stanford University and the University of California—estimate that renewable energy could meet new global energy demand by 2030 and total demand by 2050. They also find that the energy costs for the latter year would be similar to today’s costs.

Another recent study comes to a similar conclusion through use of a completely different methodology. This study, which was carried out by World Wildlife Fund International, finds that 95 percent of global energy demand in 2050 could be met with renewable technologies available today, and that the long-term value of benefits clearly outweigh the short-term costs of necessary investments.

Source: IADB