100% renewables doesn’t equal zero-carbon energy, and the difference is growing

Re:100% renewables doesn’t equal zero-carbon energy, and the... by HaukeHi on Saturday May 25, 2019 @04:50PM (#20011327)

The problem of population growth and higher overall populations in emerging economies adopting more energy intensive lifestyles remains. These economies and their citizens are likely to use an enormous amount of cheap energy to grow their economies: Global energy demand is forecasted to rise by 30% as of 2040[119] because energy demand and thus per capita carbon footprints increase in proportion to income[120], mainly due to increases in China and India.

Policy-makers should reorient their focus to develop policies that contribute to the global public good through cheap, clean energy technology.[123] With access to cheaper clean energy and more energy efficient technology (e.g. smart grids), countries can grow their economies without emitting as much carbon and also help us decarbonize our economies.

citations here: https://lets-fund.org/clean-energy/

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:100% renewables doesn’t equal zero-carbon energy, and the... by Gravityloss on Saturday May 25, 2019 @05:51PM (#20011686)

It can be argued that people really want things like happiness or security. If they can get this more directly, they can leapfrog some of the materialism. Of course for the ultra poor things like medicine are rational materialism. But there is diminishing rational value for example in dwelling size.

For example there is nothing inherent in status symbols that they need to be environmentally harmful. We can change our values.

[ Parent | on HN ]