Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The proportion of wind and solar power within the global energy mix has reached a new record, demonstrating some progress toward reducing carbon emissions. It is not clear, however, if the energy transition is occurring quickly enough to prevent a climate cataclysm in future years.
According to Climate Campaign Ember’s Global Electricity Review, more than 12% of the world’s electricity is now being generated by solar and wind power alone. Of the 78 countries surveyed, around three-quarters achieved a value above the 10% mark.
More broadly, green energy sources (including nuclear power) are approaching 40% of all energy being generated around the world.
In view of the high prices and insecurity associated with fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, many countries are accelerating their focus on renewables.
The world leader in the use of renewable energies is Norway, where energy generation now produces almost no greenhouse gases.
Also ranking high in renewables use are New Zealand and Brazil.
Contrary to wind and solar power, however, some renewable energy sources have suffered a decline in recent years. For example, global hydropower has fallen to its lowest level in over thirty years, mainly as a consequence of droughts which have reduced the flow of rivers in many parts of the world.
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