How the US is embracing the clean energy future faster than you think
The United States, the nation that burned coal, oil and gas for more than a century, is rapidly shifting away from fossil fuels. This profound change is happening faster than most people realize, and it is driven by technological innovation, market forces and public policies.
According to a recent report by The New York Times, the US is on track to generate more electricity from renewable sources than from coal for the first time in 2023. This is a remarkable milestone, considering that coal was the dominant source of power for decades, and that renewable energy accounted for only 10% of electricity generation in 2010. Now, it has reached 21%, surpassing nuclear power and closing the gap with natural gas.
The transition to clean energy is not only happening at the national level, but also at the local level. Cities, states, businesses and individuals are adopting solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, battery storage and other solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. Some examples of this trend are:
- Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the US, plans to shut down three natural gas plants and replace them with renewable energy and storage by 2025.
- Texas, the largest producer of oil and gas in the US, is also the largest producer of wind power, and has seen a surge in solar installations in recent years.
- Walmart, the largest retailer in the US, aims to power 100% of its operations with renewable energy by 2035, and has installed more than 500 solar projects across its stores and distribution centers.
- Tesla, the leading electric car maker in the US, has sold more than one million vehicles worldwide, and has built a massive battery factory in Nevada that also runs on renewable energy.
The transition to clean energy is not only good for the planet, but also good for the people. It can create millions of jobs, lower energy bills, improve public health and enhance national security. As Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and co-chair of America’s Pledge, said: “The clean energy future is no longer a matter of debate. It’s a matter of action.”
The US government is also taking action to support the clean energy transition. The Biden administration has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which means that any emissions would be balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. To achieve this goal, the administration has proposed a $2 trillion infrastructure plan that includes investments in renewable energy, electric grid modernization, clean transportation and climate resilience.
The plan also aims to address the social and economic impacts of the transition, such as ensuring a just and equitable transition for workers and communities affected by the decline of fossil fuels, and expanding access to clean energy for low-income and marginalized groups.
The plan has received support from various stakeholders, including labor unions, environmental groups, business leaders and lawmakers. As Jennifer Granholm, secretary of energy, said: “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable economy that works for everyone.”
The public is also increasingly aware of the threat that climate change poses and the need for urgent action. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans (64%) support taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050, and this support is higher among younger generations, Democrats and people with higher education levels.
The survey also found that Americans are more likely to favor policies that promote renewable energy over fossil fuels, such as tax credits for solar and wind power, tougher fuel efficiency standards for vehicles, and phasing out coal-fired power plants.
The US is not alone in its pursuit of a clean energy future. Many other countries around the world are also making progress in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and increasing their share of renewable energy. Some examples are:Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has set a target to generate 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and has shut down its last coal mine in 2018. India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to install 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, and has become one of the cheapest markets for solar power.
The clean energy future is arriving faster than you think. It is happening not because of a single breakthrough or a sudden shift in public opinion, but because of a combination of factors that are creating a powerful momentum for change. As Jigar Shah, director of the Loan Programs Office at the Department of Energy, said: “We’re seeing the nonlinear change happen before us. It’s happening faster than anyone expected.”
Relevant articles:
- The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think, by Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich, published on August 12, 2023 by The New York Times
- Renewable energy in the United States, published on August 14, 2023 by Wikipedia
- How We’re Moving to Net-Zero by 2050, by Sarah Harman, published on April 19, 2021 by Department of Energy
- Americans Largely Favor U.S. Taking Steps To Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, published on March 1, 2022 by Pew Research Center
Originally published at https://trendydigests.com on August 15, 2023.
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