U.S. Could Stop Coal Emissions in 20 Years
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A new study claims that the U.S. could be free of emissions from coal-fired power plants in 20 years using only technologies that currently exist or could be ready in the next decade. The one thing holding us back, according to the authors, is political will.
The study, published in the latest issue of Environmental Science and Technology, lays out a plan to erase coal emissions that includes cutting fossil fuel subsidies, applying a substantial fee on carbon emissions, developing a smart grid, increasing energy efficiency, some carbon capture and storage, and, of course, replacing coal with clean energy alternatives and new (hopefully safer) nuclear technologies.
What's most important about this study, regardless of whether we could realistically drum up the support to make this massive overhaul so quickly, is that we already have the technology at our disposal to make coal almost obsolete in just 20 short years. Think of the impact that would have on our ability to mitigate the effects of climate change.
via Mongabay
Germany Wants 1 Million Electric Vehicles by 2020
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While Volkswagen hasn't been a name we've discussed much when talking about electric vehicles, the company today unveiled its Golf Blue-e-motion concept vehicle in conjunction with an announcement from the German government focusing on electric vehicles.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has launched a "national platform for electric mobility" that plans to have one million electric vehicles on the road in Germany by 2020. With several domestic manufacturers all working in this direction, such a goal does not seem too far fetched. BMW, Mercedes and Audi have all been moving forward with their own electric vehicle plans.
The electric Golf should have a range of 150km (about 90 miles). It is expected to be to market as a production vehicle in 2013. Volkswagen also has forthcoming hybrid versions of its Jetta and Passat, as well as a hybrid version of the Golf which will be launched in the same timeframe.
via: CBC News and Autoguide.com
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