The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is ready to raise its target for renewable energy use.
At the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next week, the panel will recommend states and municipalities shoot for what it calls a “zero carbon” energy mix. The goal will require renewables to account for 85 percent of energy use by 2050 and fossil fuels the remainder.
There is not question the new targets can be met, says Berkeley professor Daniel Kammen
The new formula is an acceleration of the targets progressive states and cities have in place today, where decade-long initiatives will bring renewables to 15 percent, 20 percent or perhaps 33 percent levels. Many laggard states haven’t yet put plans in place.
Daniel Kammen, a Berkeley professor and a coordinating lead author for the panel, says climate scientists haven’t sent strong enough signals of the gathering dangers of climate change. But he describes himself as a optimist as to the new target.
“There is no question in my view it can be accomplished,” he said this week at a Google sponsored green-tech event in San Francisco.
The 85 percent renewables and zero carbon target can be met with solar providing up to 25 percent of a state’s energy; wind, 20 percent; nuclear, 20 percent; hydroelectric, 10 percent; and carbon capture and sequestration, 20 percent.
Energy efficiency measures could make up for any shortfalls in the mix.
Ready, set, the new renewables race is on.
LEDs already are a fast growing segment, says Birnbaum. The bright pictures and micro-thin designs are a powerful draws.