After burning coal, oil and gas for more than a century, America is rapidly moving away from fossil fuels. This profound change is happening faster than most people think and is being driven by technological innovation, market forces and public policy.
According to a recent New York Times report, the US is on track to produce more electricity than coal for the first time by 2023. Considering coal has been the main source of energy for decades, this is a huge milestone. In 2010, renewable energy accounted for only 10% of electricity production. Today they have reached 21%, closing the gap above nuclear and natural gas.
The transition to clean energy is not only at the national level, but also at the local level. Cities, states, businesses and individuals are turning to 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 close three natural gas power plants by 2025 and replace them with renewable energy and storage.
- Texas, the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States, is the largest producer of wind energy and has seen an increase in solar energy production in recent years.
- Walmart, the largest US retailer, aims to run 100% of its operations on renewable energy by 2035 and has installed more than 500 solar projects in stores and distribution centers.
- Tesla, America's first electric car manufacturer, has sold more than one million cars worldwide and built a giant renewable energy battery factory in Nevada.
The transition to clean energy is not only good for the planet, but also good for people. It can create millions of jobs, reduce energy costs, improve public health and strengthen national security. "The future of clean energy is not up for debate," said Bloomberg, founder of Michael R. Bloomberg Philanthropies and vice president of America's Promise. It is a practical question.
The US government is taking steps to support the clean energy transition. The Biden administration has set a goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, meaning that all emissions will be offset by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. To achieve this, the government announced a $2 trillion infrastructure plan that includes investments in renewable energy, electricity modernization, clean transportation and climate resilience.
The plan aims to address the social and economic impacts of the transition, such as ensuring a fair and just transition for workers and communities affected by fossil fuel depletion, and expanding access to clean energy for low-income and marginalized communities.
The plan has been supported by a variety of stakeholders, including labor unions, environmental groups, business leaders and lawmakers. "We have a unique opportunity to build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy that works for everyone," said Energy Minister Jennifer Granholm.
Society is aware of the dangers of climate change and the need to take urgent action. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans (64%) support the move to become carbon neutral by 2050, and this support is highest among younger generations, Democrats and the highly educated.
Americans are more likely to support policies that favor renewable energy over fossil fuels, such as tax credits for solar and wind power, stricter energy efficiency standards for vehicles and phasing out coal-fired power plants, the poll found.
The US is not alone in its quest for a clean energy future. Many other countries around the world are also making progress towards reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewable energy. For example, Germany, Europe's largest economy, has set a goal of producing 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and closed its last coal plant in 2018. India, the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to installing 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030, becoming the cheapest market for solar power.
The future of clean energy is coming faster than you think. This is not due to a single discovery or a sudden shift in public opinion, but to a combination of factors that create a powerful impetus for change. "We see a nonlinear transition ahead," said Cigar Shah, director of the Energy Department's Office of Credit Programs. This is happening faster than expected. »
Affected products:
- The Clean Energy Future Is Coming Faster Than You Think By Brad Plummer and Nadja Popovich, New York Times, Published August 12, 2023
– Renewable energy in the United States Posted on August 14, 2023 by Wikipedia
- Going Net-Zero by 2050 Posted by Sarah Herman on Apr 19, 2021 Department of Energy
- Americans They support measures to make America carbon neutral by 2050 March 1, 2022 Published by Pew Research Center
