All renewable energy by 2050, I’d like to see that
Originally posted by Kirsty Schneeberger WWF on 23/03/11
Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the UK launch event of WWF’s new Energy Report, and hear some really in depth discussions about whether or not the world can be powered by sustainable renewables by the middle of this century, and what this would look like across the world.
Without taking any leaps of faith into the world of the scientific unknown, the Energy Report illustrates that indeed the world can be powered by sustainable renewable energy. At the same time the report shows how we could tackle ‘energy poverty’ through cost effective measures that if invested in today will not only save energy and money, but will also create a clean energy network that is affordable for all.
I am particularly interested and impressed by the findings of the report because the scenarios look ahead to my future. As someone who will be 66 in the year 2050 I welcome the work of organisations, such as WWF, that take the inspirational step forward to show how we can all work together in this decade – through building renewable infrastructure and investing in low-carbon and safe technology – to make sure that by the time we reach 2050 the world will be powered by clean, safe and renewable sources.
For some years the younger voices of society have been speaking up about their future. Groups such as the DECC Youth Advisory Panel work to integrate the youth voice into decision making. The Panel published its report on energy and the youth perspective last year. ‘Energy: how fair is it anyway?’ focuses on the UK energy mix and the pathways to 2050. Notably the Panel is strongly in favour of a renewably powered future, and it shows that, to achieve fairness between generations, decision makers should look ahead to 2050 for the sake of those who will actually be living then.
The WWF Energy Report complements the work that young people are doing and offers a valuable analysis of how we can create our renewable world, which decision makers should look to and find inspiration from when making decisions about energy. If they can do this, they will go a long way to safeguard the energy future of my generation, and generations to come.
