Great article, “100% Renewables by 2030 for Less Than Fossil Power: A Case is Made,” by Stacy Feldman on SolveClimate.com (a site new to me). Go read it, then come back here!

Stacy is absolutely correct that we have the keys to solving both the carbon and energy crises, with safe, sustainable renewable technology–and that neither renewable but unsustainable and highly polluting biomass, nor non-renewable, highly dangerous, highly centralized nuclear are NOT viable long-term solutions.

One key is decentralizing energy generation. When power is generated at or near the place where it’s used, transmission costs and transmission losses are minimized or even eliminated. Another key is to design systemically, holistically, to slash energy needs–for instance, if you eliminate the need for a furnace or air conditioner, you eliminate that capital cost, and the building is economically competitive with traditional designs (Amory Lovins is a master at this). When conservation is incorporated at that kind of deep, structural level, the savings are enormous.

Shel Horowitz, co-author of the forthcoming book, Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green: Winning Strategies to Improve Your Profits and Your Planet
Blogging on the intersections of sustainability, ethics, marketing, media, and politics: http://www.principledprofit.com/good-business-blog/