Renewable energy comes from natural sources such as the wind or sun, and either lasts forever or can be replenished over time. ‘Renewables’ can provide us with clean electricity, heating and transport fuels.
There are many forms of renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass (from plants and trees), wave, tidal and geothermal (which harnesses the heat of the earth’s core). Australia is lucky to have excellent reserves of all forms of renewable energy.
Renewable energy is a smart solution to climate change. Renewables are the positive alternative to burning dirty fossil fuels (like coal and oil) for energy.
Renewable energy is: • clean and safe for our communities and environment • plentiful and won’t run out • available now – and won’t cost us the Earth.
By investing more in renewable energy, Australia can become a world leader in the fight against climate change. We could create thousands of jobs, new investment in rural and regional Australia and establish Australia as a clean energy exporter.
Melbourne group Beyond Zero Emissions has released a report showing how Australia could provide 100% of its electricity needs with renewables by 2020.
To download a free copy click here. Please consider making a donation as well to cover the considerable costs of producing such a report!
Here's what's been said about the report so far:
“This is an ambitious, technically feasible plan that should be
looked at seriously” Tim Flannery
Professor Faculty
of Science
Macquarie University
Australian of the Year 2007
"With our natural advantage Australia can and should be
positioning itself as a global renewable super power for future
prosperity. This report will help shift the climate debate to focus on
energy; security; affordability; export and of course opportunity.
Beyond Zero Emissions offers a new and invigorating message that is much
needed” Professor Robin Batterham,
President,
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering,
formerly
Chief Scientist of Australia
"As the IEA has shown in its research, solar energy is now a
serious global player for providing the world's energy. Australia has
one of the world's best solar energy resource, especially suited for
concentrating solar thermal power plants, which can dispatch electricity
when it is needed. The Zero Carbon Australia Plan is based on
up-to-date and sound information and provides quality insights on how a
country well-endowed in renewable resources can transition to a solar
and wind economy. Cédric Philibert
Renewable Energy
Division
International Energy Agency
