WCRE paper, June, 2004
Civilization at the Turning Point: A Breakthrough for Renewable Energy
World civilisation is at the turning point. Faced with an accelerating compound crisis of the globally established atomic/fossil energy system, an immediate breakthrough for Renewable Energies is inevitable. No more time can be wasted. Further postponement would be irresponsible and further excuses are unacceptable. Escalating oil prices indicate the depletion of fossil resources and the urgent need to replace the current mix of fossil transport fuels. The outcome of the elections in India indicates that the large majority of people who live in the rural areas of developing countries no longer accept their state of increasing poverty. This situation is largely the result of a lack of access to commercial energy. The ongoing climate change is causing an increase in flood and drought catastrophes. These catastrophes are an indication of the disastrous consequences of our society’s continuous use of fossil energy. Widespread power grid failures and blackouts in the westernized world demonstrate the limitations of atomic and fossil power production. The atomic catastrophe in Chernobyl, and the continually escalating dangers of atomic weapon proliferation, testify that the use of atomic technology is not a viable option for the future.
The World Renewable Energy Agenda (pdf)