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We know the solution to mitigating climate
change impacts. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2017 report: "Perspectives for the Energy Transition: Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon
Energy System" (full report) presents the case that global deployment of renewable
energy and energy efficiency, and especially the G20 countries can achieve the 66%
emissions reductions needed to keep global temperature rise at 2° Celsius
(3.6°F). This 2050 target will lessen the most severe impacts of
climate change.
IRENA projects that $29 trillion will be invested through 2050 (just 0.4% of global GDP). The benefits:
- boost global GDP by 0.8% in 2050 — a 100% return on investment!
- generate new jobs in the renewable energy that would offset job losses in the fossil fuel industry
- improve the human and environmental welfare thanks to reduced air pollution.
This is the minimum scenario necessary to maintain the planet's environmental stability — and is not certain. Europe and China are leading, so the rest of the world can follow this renewables path.
In Partnership for the Planet, |
