Hey America, IT IS SAFE to shoot for big, drastic and positive changes.

[Zalatix]

Germany is doing it now, making large scale switches to solar power. This is happening relatively quickly, and it is why Germany produces more solar power than most of the world COMBINED. Moreover, Germany's plan strongly empowers communities, instead of major corporations - this means their solar power infrastructure is far more decentralized than America's.

This is happening. If American Exceptionalism really existed, we would outpace Germany. We can outpace Germany... if we have the will.

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/19/small-town-solar-revolution-has-created-jobs-galore-driven-down-price-of-power-in-germany/

Small-Town Solar Revolution Has Created Jobs Galore & Driven Down Price of Power in Germany
MARCH 19, 2012 BY ZACHARY SHAHAN

Solar energy policies in Germany have resulted in a jobs boom and have driven down the price of power on the EPEX Power Exchange. More people work in Germany’s solar energy sector than in its coal and nuclear sectors combined. (Don’t tell this year’s GOP candidates — they somehow think clean energy and green jobs is all just talk.) But there’s a lot more to get excited about than just jobs (even though those are pretty sweet).

Solar Energy Is (or Can Be) Community Energy
Solar energy can allow “the little guy” to power the country (well, a lot of little guys). “A small-town energy revolution is going on in Germany, with more than 100 rural communities becoming 100% renewable,” Craig Morris of Renewables International writes. The result? Money for electricity goes back into one’s own community, rather than out to some mega energy company. Even if that electricity were to cost you a bit more, it would go back into services and people in your community who would improve your life in other ways.

“Yes. Germany is replacing central-station plants that can only be run by large corporations with truly distributed renewable power. While Germany’s Big Four utilities make up around three quarters of total power generation, they only own seven percent of green power. Roughly three quarters of renewable power investments have been made by individuals, communities, farmers, and small and midsize enterprises.”

[DCKit]

1. Cue the Nnewcuelur apologists: "It'll never work!"

[Zalatix]

2. Methinks they're backed into a corner called "It'll never work... at night!!!"

Surprise!!!
http://phys.org/news/2012-03-thermosolar-power-station-spain-night.html

[DCKit]

4. You just wait until Germany has their first solar disaster. It'll be epic. nt

[Zalatix]

6. Well, to be honest, solar energy plants are potentially quite hazardous.

To the fossil fuel industry, that is!

[bemildred]

3. And necessary in a rapidly changing world, "if we don't want to be left behind." nt

[randome]

5. Germany is a smaller country but, yes, I agree, we can make wholesale changes quickly.

Last edited Sat Aug 4, 2012, 11:38 AM - Edit history (1)

The digital age makes it possible to scale and organize anything.

[99Forever]

7. K&R

[lunatica]

8. There are all kinds of changes to shoot for

Ocean Turbines, already in use

[Zalatix]

9. Consider me floored, shocked and awe'd.

[lunatica]

10. Like Al Gore says, we already have all the technology we need.

[Zalatix]

11. This is why we need the Space Program so badly...

The space program is a huge exercise in sustainability. A lot of what we did to survive out there for a few days, could be used to develop a resource-neutral society on Earth.

For instance the LED's in the skyscraper farm design came from outer space research. Then there are the contributions to water purification and solar energy, too.

Another big thing that scientists have cooking in the works is synthetic proteins. Now that's going to have a major positive effect on the global food supply, not to mention reduced power and resource usage.

[lunatica]

12. You're welcome to use all my photos to further your message

I use these photos at every opportunity to show that we can overcome just about every obstacle there is, including the vagaries of weather, drought or not, to control the world's food supply. Put these skyfarms and ocean and land turbines into use and there's no limit to the energy and food that can be grown anywhere on the planet. The Sun shines everywhere and the wind blows everywhere and the ocean has currents everywhere.

We have all the technology we need right now.

It isn't enough to sound the alarm. We should also bring the hope of possible solutions to the discussion.

[Zalatix]

13. I'm not sure what it'll take to get us past the political inertia that plagues us.

I wrote a letter to Obama about what Germany did and why we should do the same. Nothing but a form letter in response.

I know why, too... he's got no chance of moving anything past the GOP.

[moondust]

14. Denmark

has the official goal of being 100% on renewable energy by 2050. Of course it's a small country, but still...

Germany's solar industry seems to have something in common with the U.S. (Solyndra, etc.)

Chinese exports crushing German solar industry

[Zalatix]

15. Yes, Chinese protectionism...