Solar and wind power is growing worldwide, but so is electricity consumption: as a result, renewables are often only added to the energy mix, rather than replacing fossil fuels.
Reducing energy demand would make net zero more achievable, but it recieves far less attention than decarbonisation efforts. This may be due to a perception that managing energy demand would be politically unpopular, requiring governments to make radical interventions into people’s lifestyles and spending.
Oliver Broad, Senior Research Fellow at University College London, tells Alasdair that such fears are unfounded. His team’s research found that the UK could reduce energy demand by 52% without new tech or overly disruptive societal change, and has worked with policymakers and public focus groups to demonstrate political acceptability.
I doubt we can get there with only technological advances, but building more efficient infrastructure (also in public transportation) isn’t a bad thing except for cost and emissions of construction.
The conversation where to cut the lavish lifestyles that hurt the environment most will be a long and difficult one, but I believe there are many options and people don’t have to adopt every single one of them to make an impact. People are already changing their diets, sell their cars, go on vacation to nearer places and find creative ways to use the space in their houses.
And specifically for housing: building denser in urban areas is in the interest of the market that can capitalize on it.
I’m still optimistic because with the exception of city governments a majority of our politicians are right wing or conservatives right of center who are all very friendly to businesses. And look how far we’ve come already despite it all.
I like your positive outlook on things, even if I personally don’t share it. I hope you can keep it :)