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David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will | Straight.com

David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will
Straight.com By David Suzuki and Faisal Moola 5 Nov 08 – “…………………..Alternative energy sources are absolutely necessary. Global warming will kill birds and bats, as well as other species, in much greater numbers than wind power. We just need good planning to ensure that our energy production is balanced with ecological concerns. And we need to believe in our ability to develop solutions……………………Making a commitment to resolve a serious crisis generates opportunities and creates jobs.

Already, renewable energy technologies are creating employment and giving economies a boost around the world. Countries like Denmark and Germany started shifting to renewable energy sources after the OPEC oil embargo in the 1970s. Today, Denmark obtains 20 percent of its energy from wind power and is aiming at 50 percent by 2020. Germany obtains 14 percent of its energy from wind, is the major exporter of wind technology, and has created more than 82,000 jobs in the wind sector, and more than 200,000 total renewable-energy jobs. Wind power has become the country’s fastest-growing job creator over the past three decades.

Even the U.S. Energy Department has concluded that wind power could become the source of one fifth of that nation’s power by 2030, and other studies have shown that wind, solar, and biofuel energy could create five million U.S. jobs by 2030.

The problem with making major inroads on the climate challenge is not a lack of solutions; it is a lack of will.

David Suzuki: Renewable energy requires strength of will | Straight.com

Tags: renewableenergy

November 5, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY