Friends of the Earth outline an alternative energy future in Durban8 December 2011
At yesterday's 'Reclaiming Power' session at the UN climate talks, Friends of the Earth led group discussions about our global energy system.
The afternoon began with Nnimmo Bassey, chairman of Friends of the Earth International, leading a discussion of how our fossil-fuel based system fails people and the planet.
Fossil fuels destroy local environments and communities, drive dangerous climate change and fail to provide sufficient energy to 40 per cent of the world's population.
Whilst ministers are negotiating solutions to the climate crisis, people across the world are showing that an alternative energy system is possible.
What would a new system look like?
A common theme of the afternoon was the need for a new system that would:
- Be built on people's right to self-determination and organisation.
- Promote justice and respect for the natural ecosystems we are part of.
- Not prioritise corporate interests above people and the planet.
Speakers presented positive examples of renewable projects. They also warned against risks, such as corporate interests driving up prices and making renewables unaffordable to many.
The path ahead
Friends of the Earth is calling for a new renewable energy model in developing countries, supported by a system of globally-funded feed in tariffs. This would:
-Tackle climate change.
-Provide increased energy access to enable genuine development.
-Stimulate the global transition to green energy including in the UK.
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