Why we need to go through decentralisation to achieve 100% renewable energy and to solve the climate crisis – with Hans-Josef Fell, Energy Watch Group
Description
The energy sector is the main source of greenhouse gases, especially in the form of CO2 produced by the burning of coal, oil and gas. These energy sources are under the control of a few global corporations, which thereby control a large part of the world economy.
The concentration of fossil and nuclear resources in a few places leads to imbalances and dependencies and has often even led to wars. The recent Russian war against Ukraine has also made it clear to the world that Russia has a strong dominance in supplying many other countries with fossil and nuclear energy resources.
In contrast, renewable energy offers the possibility of local energy supply, where local citizens and communities use renewable energy sources. This represents a major redistribution of economic resources, financial and ultimately political power. This opens up the prospect of a more democratic, inclusive and participatory society.
Hans-Josef Fell, President of the Energy Watch Group, was a pioneer of renewable energy and initiated one of the first community solar projects in Germany. As a member of the German Bundestag between 1998 and 2013, he was one of the fathers of the groundbreaking Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). We discuss with him why renewable energies are essential for effective climate protection and why the fight for the climate is also a fight for energy.
United States
