There is a lot of talk about climate change but too little about possible solutions. It was in summer 2019, when I dived into the topic for some professional journalistic research, going through all the reports and statistics by IPCC, IEA, IRENA, BP and many science-related publications, for the first time realizing the real dimension of this topic. FFF protesters were filling the streets demanding some action. But which exactly?
It all comes down to the question how we can substitute fossil fuels which count for about 70% of the emissions. Time is short. And I am afraid that some personal contribution in lifestyle by a few motivated people will not solve the problem. Though having observed the development of sustainable energy over decades, the massive price drop for solar photovoltaics and the low loss of long distance power lines were a surprise to me. The transmission of renewable energy over continents has become affordable. This could be one of many large-scale approaches. If only there weren't all these political implications. For a reliable supply, energy storage remains a big issue. What about green hydrogen? But do people know about the low efficiency?
So I came across the English global warming top-level article on WP. I wondered why it contained only a relatively small section about responses and only one short mention of renewable energy. This is where I started editing, immediately facing a vivid discussion about suspected activism and length. I have edited various articles in the German WP over the past 15 years, but it is only now that I am learning how the WP community works. Other less-observed articles seem a bit outdated. There is a lot to do. It is a highly political debate and WP editors may not promote personal viewpoints. But WP has a great responsibility to inform about the possible pathways and to structure the most relevant facts in the most comprehensive way. All of this is exciting and very time-demanding beside job, family and some other projects I deal with. It is definitely worth the discussion.
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