19 Nov Germany’s BIG clean energy goals

Yes, a whole country can achieve clean energy supply quickly. 

Last Tuesday night, ClimateBuddies.org and our interfaith Energy Action Team (EAT) celebrated the launch of their first year's collaborative achievements. "Becoming Carbon Positive" is one of their many accomplishments, a manual for congregations and congregants in Central Texas looking to eliminate their global warming impacts on creation.

It was an exciting event, with contributing presentations made by members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, First Unitarian Universalist, and The Austin Zen Center, as well as attendees from local Baptist, Episcopal, self-realization, new Evangelical, and other congregations. We'll post notes about what we learned that evening very soon. 

One of the most impressive data points from Climate Buddies was the idea that "whole countries" can achieve carbon neutrality… Whole Countries! 

After the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, Germany redoubled its commitment to nationwide renewable energy dependence. Why? The renewable energy production technologies Germans are investing in today are clean, local, and sustainable. They're also good for the planet. According to Climate Buddies, the German government has committed to phasing-out nuclear power use entirely by 2022. Germany's revised energy policies will increase the total share of electricity generated by renewables to 80%, cut primary energy consumption 50%, and slash greenhouse gas emissions 80% — by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels). 

How's it going? So far so good. They may even be ahead of schedule. In the first half to 2012, Germans generated nearly 26% of total electricity from local, renewable sources: 

The images in this blog come from the German embassy's recent presentation on their government's renewed, renewable energy commitment. You can download that short presentation via the "file download" link below. We've also added a presentation from Siemens (below) about Germany's renewable energy strategy. Also, please check out Becoming Carbon Positive (the IEN/EAT manual), available for download in PDF format here. Thanks —

Interfaith Environmental Network of Austin
InterfaithEnvironment.org