In his last State of the Union address President Obama challenged the United States to make 80% of its energy clean by 2035. If this goal appears ambitious, it is worth reviewing the plan recently published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which calls for 100% renweable energy globally by 2050.
It is thought provoking to look at the ten recommendations for a 100% renewable energy future the WWF study contains. Below are the ten tips along with examples of Michigan companies and organizations that are implementing such recommendations;
- Clean energy: Promote only the most efficient products. Develop existing and new renewable energy sources to provide enough clean energy for all by 2050 (Unisolar and Algal Scientific)
- Grids: Share and exchange clean energy through grids and trade, making the best use of sustainable energy resources in different areas (DTE Energy and Consumers Energy)
- Access: End energy poverty: provide clean electricity and promote sustainable practices such as efficient cook stoves, to everyone in developing countries (APT)
- Money: Invest in renewable clean energy and energy efficient products and buildings (Archiopolis Architects, LLC and Bradford White Corporation)
- Food; Stop food waste. Choose food that is sourced in an efficient and sustainable way to free up land for nature, sustainable forestry and biofuel production. Everyone has an equal right to healthy levels of protein in their diet – for this to happen wealthier people need to eat less meat. (Michigan Recycling Coalition)
- Materials: reduce, re-use, recycle – to minimize waste and save energy. Develop durable materials and avoid things we do not need (Recycle Ann Arbor)
- Transport: provide incentives to encourage greater use of public transport, and to reduce the distances people and goods travel. Promote electrification wherever possible, and support research into hydrogen and other alternative fuels for shipping and aviation. (Transportation Ryders United)
- Technology: Develop national, bilateral and multilateral action plans to promote research and development in energy efficiency and renewable energy (Next Energy)
- Sustainability: Develop and enforce strict sustainability criteria that ensure energy is compatible with environmental and development goals (Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association)
- Agreements: Support ambitious climate and energy agreements to provide guidance and promote global cooperation on renewable energy and efficiency efforts (University of Michigan).
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