International Press Articles

Article by Dr. Hermann Scheer published in the Ode Magazine (Special Copenhagen Edition), December 12, 2009

To unlock the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy, dismantle the conventional power industry!

Humanity stands on the threshold of an era of unprecedented opportunities. In the past decades, many innovative new technologies have become available and affordable that can transform our current economies based on polluting fossil fuels into sustainable renewable energy economies. This transformation will provide millions of new jobs. It will halt global warming. It will create a more fair and just world. It will clean our environment and make our lives healthier. However, for all this positive change to happen, we don't need an international climate treaty. We don't need a Copenhagen Protocol, just like we didn't need a Kyoto Protocol. In fact, these international attempts stand in the way of the progress almost all of us need.

MaegaardArticle by Dr. Preben Maegaard, Vice-President of EUROSOLAR, Director of the Danish Folkecenter for Renewable Energy and member of the WCRE Chairperson Committee, September, 2009.

Since the first oil crises in 1973 the main objectives of Danish energy policy have been: Security of energy supply, diversification in use of energy sources, environmental and climate aspects of the use of energy, cost effectiveness of energy supplies. In order to realize these goals various policies are being followed. One policy is to develop as well as utilize new energy technologies. Another objective is to focus on energy solutions that may be produced and exported by Danish industry...

pv-magazine.gifAt the founding conference for IRENA, pv magazine spoke with Michael Eckhart, chairman of the WCRE and president and founder of ACORE (American Council on Renewable Energy) about how the agency should be organized and what it will take to get the United States on board. 1 March 2009.

An NGO for Governments

You wrote Hillary Clinton the day she took office. Has there been any response?
Yes, they decided that the person they were sending to IRENA on the second day was now going to be there on the first day. That sounds small, but it’s huge.

What needs to happen for the U.S. to join?
First, someone within the government has to make a proposal to join. Under the Bush administration, no one would. I think the Obama administration will, but that’s not going to happen overnight. But they did change the U.S. position in just a few days. Clinton has been in office since Tuesday, January 20, and the decision to send someone to the founding conference for IRENA on the first day was made that week - probably the same day that Clinton took office. That’s amazing, considering that she is clearly working on Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Israel, and so forth.  

To read the full interview, please click here.

www.pv-magazine.com

pc_sonnenblume120.jpgArticle published by Ulf Bossel from the European Fuel Cell Forum and member of the advisory committee of the WCRE

Sustainability and Energy

The words "sustainable" and "sustainability" have become fashionable. Investments are called "sustainable" if profit is guaranteed for a number of years. Paper mills receive "sustainability" awards for recycling waste water and natural gas is claimed to become "sustainable" when it is converted to hydrogen by steam reforming. These examples show that the true meaning of the word is not properly understood. "Sustainability" needs to be defined. Things as such cannot be sustainable. Only processes can be organized in a sustainable way.

Article published by Dr. Hermann Scheer (General Chair, World Council for Renewable Energy) in: Droege, P. Ed. 2009. 100 Per Cent Renewable - Energy Autonomy in Action. Earthscan.

A global champion for the massive proliferation of renewable energy: the International Renewable Energy Agency

From Hermann Scheer, German Parliament Member, Founding President Eurosolar, General Chair, World Council for Renewable Energy

"Mandated by governments worldwide, IRENA aims at becoming the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale.

Acting as the global voice for renewable energies, IRENA will provide practical advice and support for both industrialised and developing countries, help them improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity.

The agency will facilitate access to all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise." (IRENA 2009)

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