Why Should We Transition to Renewable Energy?

Why switch to renewable energy at all? The reasons run from climate targets to cleaner air and long-term energy security. This article, first written in 2020, looks at the global case and ends with what it means for an Ontario homeowner thinking about solar.

The Climate Case

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels requires rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions this decade, followed by net-zero emissions later in the century. You can read the assessments at IPCC.ch. Each of us has a role in contributing to sustainable development and in reducing climate change through efficient, renewable and sustainable alternatives for energy needs, energy security and environmental management.

What Other Countries Have Done

China is one example. After severe air pollution in past decades, the country expanded renewable energy aggressively and is now a major force in affordable systems, including solar PV, wind, hydro and solar water heating. It is also the world's largest manufacturer of solar PV equipment and wind turbines. Around the world, well over 100 countries have adopted renewable energy targets and many have policies that support them, and there is a growing movement of cities and nations committing to 100 percent renewable energy.

What Individuals Can Do

How can we help meet the climate targets set at COP 21? Some of the main ways individuals can reduce CO2 emissions are:

1. Improve energy efficiency in homes and transportation.
2. Practise sustainable consumption by buying from companies with sustainability strategies.
3. Reduce reliance on coal and other high-emission fuels.
4. Support energy policies that promote sustainability.
5. Practise regenerative agriculture and permaculture where possible.
6. Transition to renewable energy: solar, hydro, wind, geothermal and others.
7. Support carbon sequestration, such as tree planting, which helps remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Start in Your Own Community

Mitigating climate change takes sustained effort, and it starts locally. Invest in sustainability in your own community, whether that is improving your home's efficiency or producing your own clean power.

For Ontario homeowners, solar is a practical step

A rooftop solar system lets you generate clean electricity at home and earn net metering credits for excess power. Explore our residential solar and commercial solar services, read about current incentives and then book a free site assessment. Terawatt Solar is ESA licensed with in-house crews, so your project is handled by our own team from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 1.5 degrees Celsius important?

Scientists identify it as a threshold beyond which the risks of climate change increase significantly, which is why many emissions targets are built around it.

What is the easiest first step for a homeowner?

Begin with efficiency, such as LED lighting and insulation, then look at generating your own power with rooftop solar.