Renewable Energy and the Little Engine That Could

In the past few years, subsequent studies have shown that a 100% renewable energy economy would be possible in a far closer time horizon -- 2050, 2040, even 2030 (according to a new study in Energy Policy). The "I think I cans" are getting more confident, thanks in large part to the revelation that renewable industries like wind and solar can actually put unemployed union workers back on the job.

2009 was unprecedented in the history of renewable energy, despite the headwinds posed by the global financial crisis, lower oil prices, and slow progress with climate policy. Indeed, as other economic sectors declined around the world, existing renewable capacity continued to grow at rates close to those in previous years, including grid-connected solar PV (53%), wind power (32%), solar hot water/heating (21%), geothermal power (4%), and hydropower (3%).