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Developing countries forge ahead of wealthy nations in this area (Trump can't grasp why)

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Developing countries forge ahead of wealthy nations in this area (Trump can't grasp why)


solar hut

Developing countries often lag behind wealthier nations on many levels—for obvious reasons. But now, it’s their time to shine and tell the rich what investing in clean energy looks like and where it can lead.

For the first time ever, developing countries have used more clean energy than fossil fuels. Over half of new power in developing countries is wind and solar power.

GoodNewsNetwork.org reports:

According to the report, BNEF’s annual Climatescope survey, developing nations even added more clean energy capacity than richer countries that previously cautioned them to avoid pursuing alternative energy technologies because they were too expensive.

“This marks a remarkable turnabout from a decade ago when the world’s wealthiest countries accounted for the bulk of renewable investment and deployment activity,” reads the report. “Developing nations at the time were viewed as holding enormous promise only; wind, solar, geothermal and other clean technologies were regarded as too expensive for mass deployment.”

Climatescope ranks Chile as the champion in renewable energy with India following close behind. Having been to Chile I’m not surprised. In December of 2015, I was visiting Chile heading south on a bus. I was taken by the simple beauty of the Chilean people as well as the breathtaking scenic views. But I was wowed to see house after house—after house with solar paneling. These were not affluent communities. Clean energy is a real thing there, as it should be everywhere.

The Climatescope report also mentioned that new coal power has fallen by almost half since its peak in 2015. Unfortunately, here in America we have an lying, ignorant oligarch in power, who promised the coal industry anything they wanted to hear if they just voted for him. They did—he let them down. No, let me rephrase—he screwed them over. Besides that, Donald Trump doesn’t understand clean air/energy, he doesn’t care to learn and to the dismay of the world, he refuses to acknowledge climate change other than to tell his chauffeur to turn up the air in his tax-paid limousine.

Alas, back to the story because it’s about some good news.

The exciting data proves that – contrary to what wealthier countries might say – developing nations are the ones driving down clean energy costs and making them more competitive against fossil fuels.

Nothing like seeing the little guy buck the rich guy, especially when the entire earth benefits.