Why renewables can’t save the planet | Michael Shellenberger | TEDxDanubia

TEDx Talks15 minutes read

The text discusses the author's journey from childhood camping trips in California to advocating for renewable energy solutions to combat climate change, highlighting the challenges and benefits of solar and wind energy compared to nuclear power. Despite successful investments in renewables and environmental impacts like bird fatalities, the shift towards solar and wind energy is influenced by the efforts of oil and gas companies, raising debates on the future of nuclear energy.

Insights

  • Transition from childhood camping experiences to adulthood environmental activism, highlighting the evolution from personal exploration of nature to advocacy for protecting ecosystems and combating climate change.
  • Shift in energy investments and sources due to advocacy efforts, showcasing the significant impact of environmental campaigns on policy decisions and the energy landscape, leading to a move towards renewables like solar and wind while raising concerns about their environmental impacts and economic viability compared to nuclear power.

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Recent questions

  • What are some challenges faced by renewable energy sources?

    Cost disparities, land usage, community resistance, intermittency.

  • How do hydroelectric dams contribute to renewable energy solutions?

    Conversion into batteries to address solar and wind intermittency.

  • What are the environmental impacts of solar and wind energy?

    Bird fatalities, land clearance for solar farms.

  • How do renewable energy sources compare to nuclear power in terms of economic costs and reliability?

    Economic costs, reliability, environmental impact compared.

  • What has led to the shift in energy sources from nuclear and hydro to renewables like solar and wind?

    Investments by oil and gas companies, promoting solar and wind energy.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

California Boyhood to Climate Change Advocate

  • Boyhood camping experiences in California with parents, exploring beaches, forests, and deserts, observing wildlife like hawks, eagles, and tortoises.
  • Transition to adulthood in California, engaging in environmental campaigns to protect redwood forests and prevent a radioactive waste repository in the desert.
  • Decision to focus on combating climate change post-30, emphasizing the need for technical solutions like solar panels and electric cars.
  • Formation of a coalition advocating for a $300 billion investment in renewables to combat climate change and create jobs.
  • Successful efforts leading to significant US investments in renewables between 2009 and 2015.
  • Challenges faced with solar and wind energy, including cost disparities between rooftop and farm electricity, land usage, and community resistance.
  • Proposals to convert hydroelectric dams into batteries to address solar and wind intermittency.
  • Environmental impacts of solar and wind energy, including bird fatalities and land clearance for solar farms.
  • Comparison of economic costs and reliability between renewable energy sources like solar and wind and nuclear power.
  • Discussion on the safety, reliability, and environmental impact of nuclear power compared to solar and wind energy sources.

13:46

Transition to renewables faces environmental challenges

  • Oil and gas companies have invested millions in promoting solar and wind energy, leading to a shift in energy sources from nuclear and hydro to renewables like solar and wind.
  • Wind turbines are causing significant harm to bird and bat populations, with scientists raising concerns about the impact on species like the hoary bat and the environment.
  • International efforts to transition to solar and wind energy, such as in California and Germany, have faced challenges like natural gas leaks and environmental destruction, prompting debates and decisions on the future of nuclear energy.
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