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 invested more into 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.”
The survey reviewed 103 countries—100 classified as “less developed” by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in addition to Chile, Mexico and Turkey, which are classified as “developed.” Out of those 103 countries, Climatescope ranks Chile as the champion in renewable energy, with India not far behind.
Chile is the top scorer in this year's Climatescope survey. The Andean nation fared well on all three parameters thanks to strong government policies, a demonstrated track record of clean energy investment, and a commitment to de-carbonization despite grid constraints.
India is the close second. The Indian market is home to the largest and most competitive auctions in the world. [...] The country’s solar market almost doubled in size in 2017.
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 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 a lying, ignorant oligarch in power, who promised the coal industry anything they wanted to hear, if they just voted for him. They did—and he let them down. No, let me rephrase—he screwed them over. Besides that, Donald Trump doesn’t understand clean air or 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.