Here is a summary of the future of energy production and the role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change:
•The world needs to significantly transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. The burning of coal, oil, and gas for electricity and transportation is the main source of excess carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet.
•Renewable energy from the sun, wind, tides, and geothermal heat provides a sustainable and scalable path forward. Technologies continue to improve in efficiency, reduce costs, and spread rapidly around the globe. Things like solar panels, wind turbines, nuclear fusion reactors, hydroelectric dams, and tidal power could provide abundant clean energy for all.
•A rapid build-out of renewable energy will require trillions of dollars of investment, a huge research and development push, innovative financing mechanisms, carbon pricing, and government policy support. But the costs of climate change in economic and human terms make aggressive renewable deployment worthwhile and urgent.
•Renewable energy is becoming competitive with fossil fuels and will likely continue to become even more affordable, efficient, and accessible. Technological progress and large-scale production can accelerate deployment and reduce installation and operational costs. Renewable energy may eventually create far more jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance than fossil fuels.
•While renewable energy will transition our societies to more sustainable living standards, behavioral and policy changes are also needed. Things like reducing energy demand through efficiency, curbing deforestation that absorbs carbon, sustainable agriculture and transportation systems, green building practices, and more will complement the expansion of renewable power.
•The next decade is critical in determining our energy and climate future. By making a decisive shift to renewable energy, we can ensure a livable planet for future generations and remake our relationship to the Earth's resources and natural systems. The future of energy should be sustainable, equitable, and just. Renewable energy can power that future if we make it a priority today.