The Hinckley Institute Radio Hour — This week on the program, we air a panel on the future of renewable energy and the need to change our energy system to combat pollution and prevent the worst effects of climate change.
Despite the many economic and social setbacks this year, renewable energy has made major gains in 2020. The International Energy Agency has reported that global renewable electricity installation has hit a record high this year, with nearly 90 percent of new electricity generation coming from renewable sources. This trend puts renewables on track to displace coal as the largest source of energy by 2025.
In political news, President-elect Joe Biden has already promised to rejoin the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, which includes the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and China—and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. However, leading experts say that even this goal may not be enough to curb dangerous global temperature rises in the decades to come.
This week’s panelists include Chris Benson, associate director of sustainability and energy for University of Utah Facilities Management; Jon Cox, vice president of government affairs at Rocky Mountain Power, Nick Goodman, CEO of CYRQ Energy, Inc.; and Sarah Wright, executive director of Utah Clean Energy. Moderating this week’s forum is Ayrel Clark-Profitt, engagement and communication manager for the University of Utah’s Office of Sustainability.
This forum was put on in partnership with the Sustainability Office at the University of Utah.
This forum was recorded on September 21, 2020.
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