The Ember energy analysis shop, which prioritizes ending the use of coal to combat the climate emergency, has issued a new report on where we stand with green energy. Among their important findings is that all low-carbon sources of energy were responsible for 38% of the world’s electricity last year, for the first time outstripping coal (36%). This is excellent news, but it isn’t enough. Coal is a planet-killer and if we don’t end its use almost immediately we will roar past the safe limits of climate change, risking climate chaos and serial disasters.

Obviously, regarding the 38%, these renewables include hydroelectricity, which has been around for some time and which accounts for almost half (45%) of renewable energy generation. Hydroelectric power cannot meet the challenge of the climate emergency and anyway wind and solar are now cheaper. Ember is not shy about branding certain regions as laggards. They write, “Only 1% of global solar generation is in African countries and 2% in Middle Eastern countries (having 3% and 4% of global electricity demand respectively).”…

https://www.juancole.com/2022/03/generated-electricity-exceeding.html

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