In the segment below, Dr. Jacobson offers another patient explanation for laypeople about the technological solutions that are economically viable today, not just to reduce our GHG emissions, but also to clean the air of toxicity and reduce the world’s energy usage by 56% from present levels.
The host tries to counter with views commonly espoused by those who believe people and politics won’t transition from our presently self-destructive choices and systems. Perhaps this is the luxury of those who feel they are old enough that what happens down the road is really not their problem or responsibility.
For the rest of us, the question is who is helping now by making and supporting the changes needed, from our individual behaviours on up.
Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford professor, has developed a model showing how it is feasible for the world to shift to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. His model takes account of the emissions from fossil fuels, of course, but also other pollutants that affect public health. When you combine these effects, it is apparent that the transition to clean energy will be a lifesaver and a great saver of energy too. Jacobson opposes the investment in nuclear power, which is far from lacking its own carbon emissions, when you count the work involved in mining, transporting, processing, and hiding and guarding the ingredients. Moreover, nuclear is far more expensive and will take far too long to create additional plants. Here is a direct video link.
The graphic below is the Solutions Project’s viewer-friendly summary of the how and why.
;
