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Energy Revolution Now!

October 31, 2008
The energy [r]evolution report - a sustainable global energy outlook. The three step approach - efficiency, structure & transport

The Energy [R]evolution - a sustainable global energy outlook.

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International — Greenpeace has published the second edition of the Energy [R]evolution scenario, updated with the latest economic, technical and population data. The Energy [R]evolution is the only energy scenario which shows how the world can cut emissions, phase out nuclear power, save money and maintain global economic development; without fuelling catastrophic climate change. All we need to kick start this plan is bold energy policy from world leaders.

That’s why we prepared this video – to show what a bold approach to tackling climate change could really look like.

 

The Energy [R]evolution demonstrates how the planet can get from where we are now, to where we need to be. The new global energy scenario outlines how carbon emissions from the energy and transport sectors alone can peak by 2015 and be cut by over 50% by 2050. Aggressive investment in renewable power and energy efficiency could create an annual USD 360 billion industry, providing half of the world’s electricity. We could slash more than US $18 trillion in fuel costs and fight economic downturn and climate change at the same time

The Energy [R]evolution uses a three step approach:

Step 1: Electrical efficiency
• Exploit all technical potential for electrical efficiency
via technical standards

Step 2: Structural changes
• Change the way we produce energy in large centralised power stations towards a decentralised energy system, using large-scale renewable resources that use locally available energy sources such as wind, sun or geothermal.

• Cogeneration – end the huge amounts of waste energy via cooling towers

Step 3: Energy-efficient transport
• Build up efficient public transport systems
• Implement efficient cars, trucks, etc.

Global emissions need to return to current levels by 2020. For this to be achieved, industrialised economies, such as the USA, the European Community and Australia, have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% below 1990 levels. Developing countries like China and India will have to stabilise CO2 emissions by 2020 and start reducing emissions towards 2030 and beyond, while providing a secure and affordable energy supply and, critically, maintaining steady worldwide economic development.

With today’s economic instability, investing in renewable energy technologies is a ‘win-win-win’ scenario: a win for energy security, a win for the economy and a win for the climate. While ‘business as usual’ energy scenarios come at the cost of the climate and the economy, the Energy [R]evolution makes a clear case for ‘business as unusual’. The renewable industry is ready and able to deliver the needed capacity to make the energy revolution a reality. There is no technical impediment to doing this, just a political barrier to overcome as we rebuild the global energy sector.

YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN- Join the Energy [R]evolution.

The Energy [R]evolution Scenario provides a practical blueprint for the world’s renewable energy future, and was developed in conjunction with specialists from the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and more than 30 scientists and engineers from universities, institutes and the renewable energy industry around the world.

 

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