The power sector is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases each year, approximately 40 percent of overall atmosphere pollution. Fossil fuels make up 67 percent of the electricity generated in the world, a number that contributes substantially to climate change. More electric companies are beginning to turn to renewable energy as these resources become more efficient and cost effective. Currently, 24 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources and this number is predicted to increase in the coming years.
This collection demonstrates several ways that communities and countries have been limiting their carbon footprint by relying increasingly more on renewable power. In Kenya and India, local communities are using their natural surroundings of geothermal activity and agricultural waste (biomass) to provide clean energy. Paris has transformed entire areas to have almost zero emissions by using a combination of power sources such as solar and wind, and the Danish island of Samso generates 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources. These stories show that individuals and communities can have a huge impact both on themselves and the world as they strive to improve their quality of life through renewable energy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/business/geothermal-energy-grows-in-kenya.html
Amy Yee
The New York Times
23 February 2018
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Kenya harnesses geothermal energy to power the nation. By developing naturally occurring geothermal areas at the East African Rift, they were able to supply almost half of the country's energy needs in 2015.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/business/energy-environment/india-increases-effort-to-harness-biomass-energy.html
Amy Yee
The New York Times
8 October 2013
Text / 800-1500 Words
With 60 percent of India's population relying on agriculture for living, the country faces a dire challenge of what to do with accumulated agricultural waste. Instead of burning it, as they traditionally would do, they are harnessing biomass energy that directly supplies the country's electrical grid.
https://ensia.com/articles/paris-is-building-the-eco-community-of-the-future-right-now-heres-how
Susannah Shmurak
Ensia
23 May 2018
Text / 800-1500 Words
Setting the bar high for environmental sustainability can encourage innovation and experimentation. Developers of Paris’ new Clichy-Batignolles eco-district are reducing the neighborhood’s carbon footprint in nearly every way imaginable. Solar panels and vegetation cover the energy-efficient buildings, the water table under the 10-hectare (25-acre) park provides geothermal heating, deliveries are directed to a central drop-off site, and much more.
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2017/0416/The-world-s-greenest-island
Tom A. Peter
The Christian Science Monitor
16 April 2017
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
Samsø, a small island in Denmark, has done what no other city has reached; energy independence. People on the island use a combination of wind, solar, and biomass, energy. How is such a large feat accomplished? Local leaders say it wasn’t because of technological breakthrough, but through collective action.
Our issue area taxonomy was adapted from the PCS Taxonomy with definitions by the Foundation Center, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International License.
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Ra'ed Qutena, 段 文慶, Fabio Campo, City Clock Magazine, Justin Norman, scarlatti2004, Gary Simmons, Kathryn McCallum, and Nearsoft Inc
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Burak Kebapci and SCY.
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Photo Credit: Sonia Narang
