SO WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

In a word – electricity. But implementing the solution is much more difficult than it sounds because of the enormous scale. Our modern civilisations require big amounts of energy, and nearly three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the use of fossil fuels to give us that energy.

STEP 1:

Convert our existing electricity system to a zero emissions supply. Use some of that electricity to make hydrogen to be used when electricity itself is not convenient.

STEP 2: Convert our cars, trucks, trains and shorthaul aircraft to use electricity stored in batteries and hydrogen instead of petrol and diesel.

This transformation of our transportation system will require almost a doubling of our annual electricity generation.

STEP 3: Convert our building heating, industrial heating, steam generation, hot water and cooking to operate from electricity and hydrogen.

This will take the annual electricity consumption to three times greater than what we use today.

These three steps can overlap, so that we work on all of them at the same time.

The end point is what I call the Electric Planet, where all the energy we need comes from zero emissions electricity. Young and old can be part of the new economy, building our prosperity while eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming our planet and causing climate change.