Everything we do needs energy. The type of energy we use shapes the world around us, from how clean is the air we breathe, to how shock-proof our economies are.A rapid transition in energy use is at the centre of solving climate breakdown. The world still uses coal, oil and gas for over 80 percent of its energy needs. But the rise of renewable energy around the world is beating all expectations. Meeting climate targets means more than just having lots of solar panels and wind turbines, though – it means leaving fossil fuels in the ground, and radically reducing the amount of energy used in high-consuming countries and groups of people.
Story of change
Reclaiming power: The rapid rise of community renewable energy and why the added benefits of local, clean power can help accelerate transitionRenewable energy is on the rise. It made up more than a quarter of global electricity generation (27%) in 2019 and is outpacing all other energy sources’ growing capacity. Nevertheless, it is...
A rapid transition to clean and lower energy use can bring jobs, a wide range of health benefits, cleaner air and a more stable climate. Evidence shows that where communities own and develop renewable energy schemes the benefits spread more broadly and any problems are more easily overcome. It’s around energy that some of the most rapid and promising changes are happening right now.
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Story of change
No’ way back for petrol and diesel cars – how Norway flicked an electric transport switchIn 2021, the oil-rich Scandinavian nation of Norway hit a critical point in its rapid transition: 60% of all new cars sold so far have been fully battery...
Reset series
No flight necessaryAs flying becomes a no-go area for growing numbers of carbon conscious travellers, the default holiday is changing as a result of our experience during the...
Commentary
Meet The Members – Paul Allen, Centre for Alternative TechnologyThe Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating positive solutions for environmental...
Story of change
Making waves: Electric ships are sailing aheadQuietly, at the tail-end of 2021, the Yara Birkeland set sail from Porsgrunn, a town in the south-east of Norway. The 80-metre, 3200-tonne ship is the first...
Story of change
Making streets people friendly: the rise of car free communitiesThe rise of ‘low-car to no-car’ residential initiatives is gathering pace in many cities around the world. In the UK they offer a glimpse of how to...
Reset series
Make public art, not wasteFrom decorated stones left in public parks, to chalked pavements and doorstep theatre, making public art flourished during the pandemic. It demonstrated the...
Story of change
Make do and mend: the rise of repair cafesThe relationship with ‘stuff’ in high-consuming, wealthy economies is set to change. From the European Union to the United States new laws are being...
Reset series
Loving making clothes lastIn the cracks of shopping habits broken by the pandemic, a new group of initiatives blossomed. Attitudes shifted towards clothing, fashion and shopping in...
Story of change
Local, civic action is growing a climate revolution from belowIn the yawning gap between national action and what is needed to stop climate breakdown, a rapid rise of local and city level activism is growing a...