Rise of renewables starts climate-change fightback


Editorial: "No more excuses over switch to clean energy"


THE age of renewable energy is upon us. Within three years, the amount of electricity generated worldwide from wind, solar and hydro energy will exceed what is made using natural gas, according to the latest projections from the International Energy Agency.


The IEA also predicts that green power will provide double the electricity of nuclear plants – and outstrip every other electricity source except coal – by 2016. If all goes well and current national energy plans come true, coal could be overtaken shortly after 2035.


The growth in renewables isn't yet enough to stop dangerous climate change. Green power is on the rise, but so is our appetite for energy, so new coal and gas-fired power stations are in the pipeline.


But the good news is that renewables are the fastest growing power source. Already, they account ...


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