100% renewable energy by 2020

Leading climate scientists and climate analysts say that for a safe and sustainable world with retention of Arctic sea ice and cessation of the current mass species extinctions requires a return of the atmospheric CO2 concentration from the present dangerous level of 394 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm (see:

http://sites.google.com/site/300orgsite/300-org---return-atmosphere-co2-to-300-ppm ).

300.org states that “There must be a safe and sustainable existence for all peoples and all species on our warming-threatened Planet and this requires a rapid reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration to about 300 parts per million” (see "300.org":

http://sites.google.com/site/300orgsite/Home ).

The worsening climate disruption and climate emergency has lead leading climate scientists and analysts to state that we must now aim to urgently cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (notably carbon emissions e.g. carbon dioxide, CO2, and methane, CH4) by 80% by 2020 (see "Cut carbon emissions 80% by 2020":

http://sites.google.com/site/cutcarbonemissions80by2020/home ).

A detailed submission to the recent Senate Inquiry by Dr Andrew Glikson (Earth and paleoclimate scientist, Visiting Fellow, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Research School of Earth Science and Institute of Planetary Science, Australian National University (ANU),Canberra, ACT, Australia ) was entitled “The threat to life posed by atmospheric CO2-e over 450 ppm”, noting that the current 394 ppm CO2 corresponds to about 450 CO2-equivalent (CO2-e, taking CH4 and N2O as well as CO2 contributions into account): http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/economics_ctte/cprs_09/submissions/sub34_web.pdf (for other expert submissions to this Senate Inquiry see: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/economics_ctte/cprs_09/submissions/sublist.htm .

Dr Andrew Glikson interviewed by ABC Radio Australia, 2009, in response to the question ”what has to be done?”: “extremely rapid reduction in emissions … I would say, 80 percent within the next ten years or so … people like me have been looking at the evidence about this on a day to day basis and we have been doing it for years, and to look in to the abyss at this length is a daunting task.” (see Dr Andrew Glikson interviewed by Linda Mottram, “Carbon emissions must be cut by 80% [by 2020] says scientist”, ABC Radio Australia, 23 July 2009: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/200907/s2634156.htm ).

Lester R. Brown and colleagues of the Earth Policy Institute,Washington, DC, USA, in "Time for Plan B. Cutting emissions 80 percent by 2020” state: “When political leaders look at the need to cut carbon dioxide emissions to curb global warming, they ask the question: How much of a cut is politically feasible? At the Earth Policy Institute we ask a different question: How much of a cut is necessary to avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change? … Cutting CO2 emissions 80 percent by 2020 will take a worldwide mobilization at wartime speed. First, investing in energy efficiency will allow us to keep energy demand from increasing. Then we can cut carbon emissions by one third by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources for electricity and heat production. A further 14 percent drop comes from restructuring our transportation systems and reducing coal and oil use in industry. Ending net deforestation worldwide can cut CO₂ emissions another 16 percent. Last, planting trees and managing soils to sequester carbon [biochar] can absorb 17 percent of our current emissions. None of these initiatives depends on new technologies. We know what needs to be done to reduce CO2 emissions 80 percent by 2020. All that is needed now is leadership“ (see Lester R. Brown, Janet Larsen, Jonathan G. Dorn, and Frances C. Moore, “Time for Plan B. Cutting emissions 80 percent by 2020”, Earth Policy Institute: http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB3/80by2020notes.pdf .

This site is dedicated to informing the public about the views of expert climate scientists, paleoclimate scientists, climate change analysts, and community activists who say that rapid and radical cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avert catastrophic climate change and this requires, in addition to other key measures, 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Readers are also referred to the related very informative sites of the Melbourne-based Yarra Valley Climate Action Group (YVCAG: see: http://sites.google.com/site/yarravalleyclimateactiongroup/Home ), and the Victoria, Australia-based Climate Emergency Network umbrella organization (see: http://www.climateemergencynetwork.org/ ), organizations which are both committed to 100% renewable energy by 2020.