Renewable Energy is the Future, says Top Climate Scientist

“Nothing can compete with renewables,” says Prof John Schellnhuber, a notable climate change scientist who has advised German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Pope Francis on the subject of climate policy.

According to Schellnhuber, catastrophic climate change can be avoided if everything goes according to plan at the UN climate change summit in Paris this December. If countries honor their pledges to boost financing for solar power, wind and other renewables while cutting back on fossil fuels, the worst of global warming can be avoided.

The Current Consensus on Renewables

Renewable energy is expected to become an increasingly attractive energy option in the future, according to climate scientists. Fossil fuels prices are expected to rise, while technological advances in solar power and other renewables will continue to drive down up-front costs.

As energy storage solutions such as solar power batteries become cheaper and more effective, a crossover will occur as solar overtakes coal in cost-effectiveness. According to climate scientists, this grid-parity crossover could occur as soon as the early 2020s.

International Pressure Holds the Key to Environmentally-Friendly Policy Decisions

Schellnhuber expects nations who have made pledges to cut carbon emissions and encourage renewable energy financing will follow through on their promises, or risk facing international derision.

Instead of using an international coalition to personally oversee carbon emissions standards are being followed, the responsibility is on the nations themselves to see they do not embarrass themselves on the international level, Schellnhuber says.

“It is prestige, it is image, it is a moral issue, it is how you appear to the world. If the Chinese, for example, make a pledge, they want to keep it. They do not want to lose face.”

While developed nations will do everything in their power to follow through on emissions pledges and financing for renewables, Shellnhuber says, the biggest threat to the Paris summit comes in the form of pledges to aid developing countries in reducing their carbon footprints.

While international leaders will apparently do everything in their power to follow through on personal climate promises, it seems the carbon footprints of developing nations is an issue of far less importance.

Natalie Benoy is a renewable energy writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter