Pay attention to the carbon crossover
As we demand more from our grid, a key factor that will determine what this all means for climate change is what supplies the electricity we use.
As it stands, the world's grids are still largely powered by fossil fuels, so every step of growth in electricity production comes with emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. However, the situation is gradually changing.
Together, solar and wind power were the leading sources of electricity in the first half of this year. overtaking coal for the first time. Coal use may peak and begin to decline by the end of this decade.
Nuclear energy can play a role in replacing fossil fuels: After two decades of stagnation, the world's nuclear fleet could increase by a third in the next 10 years. Solar energy will also continue its rapid growth. Of all the electricity demand growth we expect over the next decade, 80% will come from places with high-quality solar radiation, meaning they are good places for solar power.
Ultimately, there are many ways in which the world is moving in the right direction on energy. But we're nowhere near moving fast enough. Global emissions again will reach record levels this year. To limit warming and prevent the worst impacts of climate change, we need to overhaul our energy system, including the electricity sector, and we need to do it fast.
This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology ReviewWeekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, register here.
