How California and Hawaii Plan to Fight Climate Change with Clean Energy

Fossil fuels have been powering humanity’s progress since the early days of the Industrial Revolution. However, increasingly more voices are raised in concern whether if this system is sustainable for the future to come as climate change proves to be an ever-looming threat.

That is why — as a necessary consequence — nations are beginning to turn heads towards the benefits of clean energy. And among them, two of U.S.A’s states have taken a step in front of everyone else and are putting forward the conditions to allow its smooth implementation.

The world should take notes, California and Hawaii are the examples worth following. Their initiatives prove adopting a sustainable energy system is not only necessary “for the greater good”, but could prove itself a smart and profitable decision.

And it can be done fast!

So, Why Go 100% Green?

The global impetus to adopt renewable energy comes from a number of causes. On the one hand, there is the environmental aspect which is driven by concerns over global warming and pollution. On the other hand, from an economic standpoint, clean energy may prove to be more efficient.

The principal asset of renewable energy is that it replenishes itself within a reasonable human timescale. Whereas fossil fuels are only a temporary commodity

As human development accelerated, it quickly became apparent the supplies are dwindling and the atmosphere will soon be affected beyond repair.

Hawaii Is Set to Profit from Clean Energy

In the words of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative — Hawaii is the most fuel-dependent state — as it relies on imports to cover for its oil supply, which is above 80 percent of the total consumption.

This initiative began in 2008 as a partnership between the State of Hawaii and U.S Department of Energy, at first, with hopes of diminishing Hawaii’s massive energy consumption and, afterward, diversifying the state’s clean energy portfolio.

Over the course of time, issues arose from the limitations imposed by aging infrastructure and equipment. A fact which meant the power of fossil fuels could not be harnessed at an efficient rate.

All this considered, Hawaii’s primary sources of income — agriculture and tourism — stand at a critical juncture. Improper management of fossil energy damages the environment, affecting the quality of the soil, the water and the cleanliness of the air.

As a result, it undermines internal agricultural production and has a detrimental effect on the state’s reputation in regards to tourism.

Starting with 2008, the scene was set to change. Hawaii’s implementation of the initiative presumes a paradigm shift in how it will manage its energy. The state is not only looking to replace the means of power consumption, but it is also offering alternatives on how to replenish said energy.

These are the primary goals the initiative is keen on achieving:

• to make the State of Hawaii economically independent
• to achieve higher energy security
• to save billions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on importing oil
• a new green economic sector looking to revitalize tourism
• using the reputation built on this initiative to attract potential business investments.

Since its inception, this initiative started with a 9.4% RPS — standing for Renewable Portfolio Standard — which measures the performance rate of achieving complete reliability on clean energy. The year 2045 is a projection for when the RPS will be 100%.

California Is the New Sunshine State

If Hawaii’s ambitious projects proved impressive, California sets the bar even higher. The state already sporting a high percentage RPS and set to reach a 50% consumption out of renewable energy sources by the year 2020.

California has reached prominence among the other U.S. states by relying massively on the consumption of fossil fuels. Concerns over this practice have been raised since the 70's.

With recent advancements, it became clear fossil fuels will lead to California’s downfall. The solution to this impending decline would come in the form of solar panels.

California’s implementation of such measures can only be called aggressive, yet it did come with results worthy of praise.

The state was reputed for employing hydro energy as an alternative to fossil fuel. Now, however, solar energy is supplementing a large part of the total power provided for consumption.

However, California’s goal is not only of economic nature. Its effort is focused on combating the existential threat of global warming, the economic benefits coming to a close second.

Among the state’s ambitions is the bettering of the environment. Carbon, which must be driven out of the atmosphere, is the root cause of climate change. Luckily, carbon emissions can be diminished through the use of clean energy

Looking Towards the Future

With these positive examples of renewable energy adoption, the future does not seem at the onset of an ecological disaster.

California and Hawaii are setting a paramount example of how adopting renewable energy is the way to go.

We can all look forward towards a greener future. If you want to find out more about world changing subjects, follow me on Twitter and let’s get the discussion going.