ENERGY 101

THE GOOD

Harnessing fossil fuels to generate energy (for electricity, transportation, heating and cooling) has enabled America’s huge growth since the industrial revolution. 

THE BAD

Simultaneously, burning those fossil fuels has released, and continues to release, the CO2 that is the major cause of global warming and all its consequences, which are increasingly dire.

THE SOLUTION

To battle climate change, an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy is required to achieve a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources (wind and sun primarily), focusing on energy efficiency, electrification of key sectors, and applying a range of low-carbon generation technologies.

It is our task to shift our energy usage away from fossil fuels and towards clean sources of energy: geothermal, nuclear, hydropower, wind and solar. The way to do that is to eliminate burning fossil fuels. Electrify Everything is becoming an increasingly powerful mandate, which also requires us to fill our electric grids with clean energy as opposed to dirty energy. In this scenario, we shift to electric cars for transportation, and heat pumps for the heating and cooling of our buildings. Batteries for the retention of energy from the sun and wind are critical.

THE CORE PROBLEM

Human activities, principally the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), are the primary cause of the escalating levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in our atmosphere. To avert the worst impacts of climate change, global emissions must reach net-zero by 2050. 

KEY STRATEGIES AND TECHNOLOGIES

1. Prioritize Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the first step in the fight against climate change. 

• Individual Actions: Improve home insulation, switch to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances, and use less hot water. Add solar and heat pumps.
• Policy & Industry: Implement building codes and regulations that require higher efficiency standards in new construction and retrofits. Require new construction to be all electric. Eliminate gas.

2. Accelerate the Transition to Low-Carbon Sources

Rapidly scale up energy generation methods that produce little to no greenhouse gases. 

• Renewable Energy: Sources like sunlight, wind, water (hydro), and geothermal heat are naturally replenished and produce no emissions.
  • Solar & Wind have seen dramatic cost reductions and are often the cheapest new electricity options, but face challenges with intermittency (the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow). Batteries are increasingly solving this problem.
  • Hydropower is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector but is highly dependent on regional weather patterns and geography. And the dams that generate electricity also have negative effects on our environment.
  • Geothermal & Ocean Energy are viable in specific locations and offer reliable, consistent power.
• Nuclear Energy: Fission power plants are a significant source of reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy with a very small land and material footprint. While politically contentious, scientific consensus often includes nuclear as a vital part of a comprehensive, all-of-the-above strategy for decarbonization due to its low carbon emissions and high reliability. Unfortunately they take a long time to construct.

3. Electrify Everything Possible

Transitioning sectors that currently rely heavily on burning fossil fuels (transportation, heating, some industrial processes) to use electricity generated from clean sources is a crucial step. 

• Transportation: Switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs).
• Buildings: Replace natural gas or oil furnaces and stoves with electric heat pumps and induction cooktops. 

4. Support Policies and Innovation

• Put a price on carbon: Implementing a carbon tax or similar market-based policy makes high-emission activities less competitive and incents low-carbon solutions.
• Invest in infrastructure: Modernizing and strengthening the electricity grid is necessary to handle increased demand and the integration of variable renewable sources and energy storage solutions (like large-scale batteries and pumped hydro). 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Beyond policy, individual actions contribute significantly.

• Reduce consumption: Buy fewer new goods, shop second-hand, and repair items to lower the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing.
• Dietary changes: Eating more plant-based foods can significantly lower one's environmental impact compared to a heavy meat and dairy diet.
• Speak up: Advocate for businesses and leaders to adopt climate action plans and support policies that prioritize a clean energy future. 

By combining these actions, a robust path toward a sustainable, carbon-free future can be achieved. 

MORE INFORMATION

For much more detailed information about energy, go here. You will learn the way energy works (explaining the sources and the role of utilities and transmission as it moves towards its ultimate destinations, such as transportation, electricity, cooling and heating).

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

There are also various emerging “drawdown” techniques, which promise to reduce the CO2 load, but also involve capturing and storing carbon. Many of these NEW TECHNOLOGIES are covered here.