Investments in green energy overtook investment in fossil energy in 2010. The US took in $48 billion in public and private financing, making it the gobal leader of renewable energy development. So far, good news for the USA. On the downside, much of this investment was triggered by expiring federal tax incentives and will not happen again next year. Also, China is now adding much more green jobs because it not only develops green technology but it is also actually building green energy facilities. By 2020, 150 million more Chinese homes will be powered by renewables!

ON-green-energy! If the already existing renewable power base in China is added in, China will basically provide green power for the equivalent of the whole USA by 2020! I bet that by replicating that feat, the US could put back to work a significant number of unemployed, safe thousands of coal caused premature deaths, would make a significant contribution to safe the worlds climate and would position itself well in the booming green economy. The conditions are excellent. Almost freely available capital, the highest investment in green technology and abundant sun, wind and water. By 2020, renewable energies will be much cheaper than today and most certainly even cheaper than natural gas.

Somehow, many US citizens just don’t realise the present and the future benefits and that a new energy era is starting right now. Therefore politicians ought to tell them and set the right incentives. The case for green energy is as much economic than ecological and should be a really easy sell.

Natural gas and oil fracking proponents may first become transparent and proof that all the tainted water in fracking areas is not caused by them. If they manage, they could still get the gas and sell it very profitably on the world markets while the US enjoys clean and cheap renewable energy.

Source: Inside Climate News