Archived article from March 14, 2016
Renewable Revolution
by Caidleigh Murphy
It is no secret green energy is the way of the future. Renewables like wind and solar energy provide substantial benefits for our climate, health, and economy that can no longer be ignored. While many countries continue to rely on coal, oil, and natural gas for their energy production, countries like Germany are leading the way in making the switch to a more sustainable future.
Since as early as the 1970s, Germany has been making waves in supporting alternative modes of energy production. Beginning with the oil crises of ’73 and ’79, Germans demanded a change be made toward energy conservation and the reduction of fossil fuels. These sentiments were further strengthened in the 80s when the residual effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster literally “rained down” over Germany, prompting Germans to begin a long-standing rejection of nuclear energy. Today, Germany is ranked third in the world for the highest use of renewables, and number one for solar energy production specifically. In July 2015, the country set a new national record for renewable energy by meeting 78 percent of the day’s electricity demand through use of renewable sources.
See full description at: http://energytransition.de/ (History of the Energiewende)
But despite Germany’s commitment and positive shift toward a green future, misinformation and widespread international skepticism particularly in areas of cost, and the feasibility of renewables as a long-term solution, remain a concern. In 2011, German think tank for policy reform, and catalyst for green visions and projects, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, developed Energytransition.de: a website and information hub dedicated to promoting and understanding Germany’s energy transition, or Energiewende, both nationally and worldwide. Today, the site is recognized as the primary source for providing information regarding the policies, politics, and issues surrounding the Energiewende to an international audience. Available in nine languages, visitors to the site will find over forty downloadable graphics, manuals, and reports for personal or public use, and a blog written and edited by energy and environmental experts covering the latest on the topic.
Photo: Olav A. Øvrebø cb
German’s energy transition is here to stay, and by providing reliable, easily accessible resources, Energytransition.de continues to propel this movement into tomorrow and beyond. To find out more about the German Energiewende visit: Energytransition.de. And to learn more about the design and user-friendly format of the website, read our case on Lucid. Berlin.
