The cities leading in clean energy around the world are...
It's no secret that if we want to prevent dangerous levels of climate change, we need to transition to a global clean energy system, and we need to do it fast.
Scientists have been saying it over and over, and are fairly unequivocal in their warnings that we need to ditch fossil fuels completely to make this transition.
Unfortunately, the clean energy ambitions of most countries are pitiful, to say the least. However, there are a few beacons in the smog leading the way. Communities who have have already made commitments to transition 100 percent renewables, sparking the rise of a new grassroots movement that has launched petitions in hundreds of cities across the world calling for a transition to 100 percent renewable energy/zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
So, which cities are leading in clean energy around the world?
Aspen, Colorado: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2015 The beautiful tourist town of Aspen, Colorado, hasn't just pledged to go 100 percent renewable for its electricity supply, it has pledged to do so by 2015.
Copenhagen, Denmark: Carbon neutral by 2025 Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, pledged to become the first carbon neutral capital by 2025.
Bonaire, The Caribbean: 100 percent renewable energy by 2015 The Caribbean island of Bonaire (population 14,500, plus 70,000 tourists each year) have in fact already nearly achieved their goal.
Munich, Germany: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025 Munich set a commitment in 2008 to produce enough renewable power to meet the entire city's electricity needs by 2025. With a city population of 1.35 million people, that is a huge step.
San Diego, California: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 California has already seen explosive growth in the solar energy and electric car markets. In San Diego, that growth is feeding into an effort to have community-wide 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035.
Isle of Wight, England: 100 percent self-sufficient and renewable by 2020 The Isle of Wight's 142,500 inhabitants will soon be benefiting from a 100 percent renewable energy supply if the EcoIsland initiative succeeds.
Frankfurt, Germany: Zero carbon emissions by 2050 Frankfurt is pushing an ambitious carbon reduction goal within a nation that is more committed than most to a truly low carbon economy.
San Francisco, California: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2020 San Francisco is also pushing the envelope too. Their electricity supply is already 41% renewable
Sydney, Australia: 100% renewable energy by 2030 Sydney is also getting in on the clean energy game. The renewable energy master plan outlines how 100% of the City's electricity, heating and cooling can come from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and energy from waste, by 2030.
Did you know?
By generating your own solar electricity at home, you could save an estimated...
83kg per month (1,000kg per year)
We know not everyone can afford it, but householders investing in solar panels to generate clean energy from the sun at home deserve admiration and will save much more CO2 and money over time.
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