Skip to content

Renewable Energy

California can do it say reduction emissions forecasters

by Colin Ricketts 25 May 2011
California can do it say reduction emissions forecasters

It sounds like an impossible equation. America's most populous state, California, aims to reduce its carbon emissions to 80% below its 1990 levels in the next 40 years, while its population is expected to rise from 37 million to 55 million and the demand for energy is expected to double.

However, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are optimistic in a new report that the state can hit the target.

'California's Energy Future: The View to 2050' looks at a variety of scenarios for future energy use to achieve this target, including electrification, enhanced efficiency, nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, grid modernization, and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

And, according to the report, California is already on the way to the massive emissions reductions: ''California can achieve emissions roughly 60 percent below 1990 levels with technology we largely know about today if such technology is rapidly deployed at rates that are aggressive but feasible.''

Developments in new technologies - including artificial photosynthesis, fusion energy, more efficient and sustainable biofuels, hydrogen fuel, more effective CCS and advanced batteries for both vehicles and grid storage - can make up the shortfall say the Berkeley Lab scientists, whose colleagues are already working to improve these technologies.

If nothing changes then California's emissions in 2050 will be twice those of 1990, but just by using current technology more efficiently that increase can be limited to 20 percent.

A new way of distributing energy will be key to hitting the reduction target says the report. ''The grid as it currently stands is entirely unsustainable,'' says Berkeley Lab researcher Jeff Greenblatt. ''We're going to see a very different grid in 2050 than we have now.''

Jim McMahon, head of the Energy Analysis Department in the Environmental Energy Technologies Division, explained: ''We need either more storage on the grid-whether with batteries or compressed air or something else-or a very intelligent system that's able to respond to what's available. For example, since the wind tends to blow more at night, a smarter system would heat your water at night when you have the power and store that water, and not in the morning when everybody wants to take a shower.''

Generation too will need to change, with California's renewable energy resources needing to grown significantly to the extent that 1.3 percent of the state's land area would have to be devoted exclusively to renewables.

Acting quickly to make the machines we already use more efficient is key say the team. Space and water heating, vehicles, domestic cooking and bus and rail fleets should be electrified whenever possible.

The final ingredient is the state's population, who will have to make significant changes to their behaviour says McMahon: ''It's things like changing your diet, changing transportation to carpool more and use public transit, thermostat setbacks so you're cooling or heating your house a little less, eco-driving-in Europe they've taught people how to drive more efficiently. If you had 10 percent of people telecommuting, you'd have 10 percent less traffic.''

''There's portion of the population very interested in green living. I tend to think it's generational-there are a lot of young people trying to figure out how to live more sustainably on the earth. So over time they may have more and more say over what we do.''


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping