Posted on 13 April 2019 by John Hartz

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The world could transition entirely to cheap, safe renewable energy before 2050: Finnish study

A study from the Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and the Energy Watch Group (EWG) from Germany says a global transition to the exclusive use of renewable energy is possible before 2050. (iStock) 

A global transition to the exclusive use of renewable energy sources is not only possible but also cheaper and safer than reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, according to a new study from the Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and the Energy Watch Group (EWG) from Germany.

The study claims that the rapid development of renewable energy sources and energy storage technology will likely make it possible for the entire planet to reduce its CO2 emissions to zero even earlier than the current 2050 deadline.

The report is the first of its kind to suggest a cost-effective, all-inclusive, global roadmap to keep average global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. It is also the first planet-wide climate change resistance plan that suggests not using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) techniques to mechanically remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

According to the model, in 2050 some 69 percent of the world’s energy would come from solar panels, 18 percent from wind power, 3 percent from hydropower systems and 6 percent from bioenergy.

Fossil fuels and nuclear power would not be needed at all. Cars, planes and ships would run on carbon-neutral synthetic fuels produced from hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

The world could transition entirely to cheap, safe renewable energy before 2050: Finnish study, Yle News (Finland), Apr 12, 2019 

Links posted on Facebook

Sun Apr 7, 2019

• Global Banks, Led by JPMorgan Chase, Invested $1.9 Trillion in Fossil Fuels Since Paris Climate Pact by Sharon Kelly, TruePublica, Apr 4, 2019
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Mon Apr 8, 2019

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Tue Apr 9, 2019

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• It’s not your imagination. Allergy season gets worse every year. by Umair irfan, energy & Environment, Vox, Apr 8, 2019
• A Netflix Nature Series Says to Viewers: Don’t Like What You See? Do Something About It by Jennifer Vineyard, Arts, New York Times, Apr 8, 2019

Wed Apr 10, 2019

• As White House questions climate change, U.S. military is planning for it by Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis & Missy Ryan, Health & Science, Washington Post, Apr 8, 2019
• The Carbon Brief Profile: Australia by Jocelyn Timperley, Carbon Brief, Apr 5. 2019
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• A 2nd Bomb Cyclone: Colorado Predicted To Go From 80 Degrees To A Blizzard by Bill Chappell, NPR News, Apr 9, 2019
• Snow is plastering parts of the Plains, which will measure it in feet when the blizzard is done by Ian Livingston, Capital Weather Gang, Washington Post, Apr 10. 2019
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Thu Apr 11, 2019

• Climate crisis: today’s children face lives with tiny carbon footprints by Damian Carrington, Environment, Guardian, Apr 10. 2019
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• After A $14 Billion Upgrade, New Orleans’ Levees Are Sinking by Thomas Frank, E&E News/Scientific American, Apr 11, 2019

Fri Apr 12, 2019

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Sat Apr 13, 2019

• National grid has more immediate challenges than electric cars by Peter Hannam, Business, Sydney Morning Herald, April 13, 2019
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• The world could transition entirely to cheap, safe renewable energy before 2050: Finnish study, Yle News (Finland), Apr 12, 2019
• What Survival Looks Like After the Oceans Rise by Andrea Frazzetta, The Climate Issue, New York Times Magazine, Apr 11, 2019
• How a Few Small Fixes Could Stop Climate Change by Marlene Cimons, Nexus Media, Apr 11, 2019
• Pace of Bering Sea changes startles scientists by Dan Joling, AP News, Apr 13, 2019