Clean energy regression

According to global energy think tank Ember, combined renewable energy sources overtook coal as the world' s largest source of electricity this year. While this is certainly encouraging, an in-depth look reveals a mixed picture.

Developing nations, China in particular, led the way in transitioning to clean energy. Although it continues to build coal-burning power plants, it has added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined. India also saw significant growth in renewables.

Meanwhile, rich nations such as the United States saw a regression.

The International Energy Agency changed its prior prediction about renewable energy growth in the U.S.: in 2024, it predicted that it would add 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, a figure that has since been halved to 250 GW.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: the U.S. should follow China’s lead on the climate front.

Luke Daniels

Rochester