As of 2022, the world’s energy consumption is projected to increase by 30% by 2040, with a staggering 70% of that growth coming from fossil fuels. But here’s the shocking part: despite this alarming trend, a record 80% of Americans now support investing in clean energy, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
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This surge in public support is being driven by a growing sense of urgency around the climate crisis, and a growing recognition that clean energy advocacy is no longer just a moral imperative, but an economic one. As the costs of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continue to plummet, and the benefits of a clean energy transition become increasingly clear, a new generation of advocates is emerging to push for a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.
At the forefront of this movement are organizations like the Sierra Club, which has been advocating for clean energy policy for over a century. Their work has paid off: in the past decade, the US has seen a 40% increase in solar energy production, and a 25% increase in wind energy production. But despite these gains, there’s still much work to be done. That’s why groups like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are pushing for policies like carbon pricing and clean energy standards, to ensure that the US meets its climate goals.
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Individuals are also playing a critical role in the clean energy advocacy movement. People like Mary Anne Hitt, a climate activist and former director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, who has spent years mobilizing communities to demand cleaner energy options. Her efforts have been instrumental in shutting down over 200 coal-fired power plants across the US, and inspiring a new generation of young people to get involved in climate activism.
So what’s driving this growing sense of urgency around clean energy advocacy? For many, it’s the simple fact that climate change is no longer just a distant threat, but a present reality. From devastating wildfires and hurricanes, to record-breaking heatwaves and droughts, the impacts of climate change are being felt more and more acutely around the world.
And yet, despite these challenges, there’s a growing sense of optimism in the clean energy advocacy community. As the costs of renewable energy continue to fall, and the technologies become increasingly sophisticated, the idea that we can transition to a low-carbon economy without sacrificing economic growth or energy security is becoming more and more plausible.
Of course, there are still many obstacles to overcome. From entrenched fossil fuel interests, to bureaucratic barriers and infrastructure challenges, the road to a clean energy future won’t be easy. But with a growing sense of urgency, and a growing sense of community, clean energy advocates are more determined than ever to push for a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy. As Mary Anne Hitt puts it, “The clean energy revolution is not just a moral imperative – it’s an economic imperative. And I believe that together, we can make it happen.”
