How long until renewables take reign?

You may not be seeing much sun today, especially if you're sucked into the smog of China, but when the clouds eventually break open, will we see solar panels glinting on our roofs?

It's over a year since global leaders at the COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris said that we should reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

At the COP22 Conference, Nick Hurd, the UK’s Climate Change and Industry Minister said: "The UK is ratifying the historic Paris Agreement so that we can help to accelerate global action on climate change and deliver on our commitments to create a safer, more prosperous future for us all."

Related image
Marrakech COP22
http://www.caricom.org/media-center/communications/news-from-the-community/caricom-eyes-positive-outcomes-from-morocco-climate-change-meeting-report
Great. It's settled. Let's get those renewable energies in place then, eh?

“We are going to use this positive momentum to grow the UK low-carbon sector, which is already worth over £46bn, as we continue to provide secure, affordable and clean energy to our families and businesses.” Nick Hurd followed on.

Whoa, wait a second; continue?
Yes we do have a few wind farms here and there and solar panels are on the increase - but I wouldn't say we've always had much 'secure' or 'affordable' energy.

I shouldn't complain, we are doing loads and thank goodness we understand about climate change and are actually doing something about it. It's just that it seems to me that we view climate change as simply a little upcoming event. No real panic has set in yet. Much like a minute unpaid bill crumpled in your filing cabinet or the month-old cheese accumulating mould in the back of the fridge - we haven't seen the worst effects first hand yet... but they'll come.

I'll give credit, renewable energy is on the up, but so is global temperature. I would have thought that now we know about climate change, we'd actually start afresh, with a bit more positivity? We could put renewables in the new housing developments, couldn't we?

The amount of electricity powered by renewable energy increased from 2014 to 2015!
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/463016/Press_Notice_September_2015.pdf
Next time you're out on a stroll or taking your sluggish Monday morning commute in your (solar-powered electric) car, see how many solar/wind/recycling schemes you can find. Particularly on any new housing developments that crop up.

Feel free to comments your findings below!

H _ M
    :)

Bibliography:
http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en/185-countries-have-committed-to-reducing-their-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change-global-warming-paris-agreement-uk-ratifies-a7422341.html

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