Sustainability Consult is delighted to welcome a guest post by Zoë
Casey, Blog Editor at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). With the Global Wind Energy Council, EWEA
coordinates Global Wind Day.
Global Wind Day – you may have
heard of it, or you may be one of the 29,000 people who have ‘liked’ Global Wind Day’s Facebook page,
but what is it all about? It’s a day for
taking the energy debate – switching to renewables from fossil fuels,
supporting wind power – out of the realm of policy and into the real world. In short, Global Wind Day is the international
annual day – on 15 June – for discovering wind power.
How does a wind turbine work? How much power does the wind farm located near
me produce? Why should I support wind
power over fossil fuels? These are the
types of questions and more that you could find the answer to on Global Wind
Day.
How? By attending one of the many events across the world, from wind farm open days to exhibitions
and fairs. By simply browsing our global wind energy FAQs and our
Europe wind energy factsheet.
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest
report warns that the world is currently on track for a 3.6-5.3°C
temperature increase. The energy sector
accounts for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions – making it a key area for
action.
One way of encouraging the
transition from fossil fuels to renewables in the energy sector is to limit the
subsidies governments dole out for fossil fuels. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist
at the IEA, said this year that fossil fuel subsidies – which amounted to $523
billion compared to renewables’ $88 billion in 2011 – are “public
enemy number one to sustainable energy development”.
From 17-18 June, G8 leaders – governments
of the world's eight wealthiest countries – are meeting in the UK. Join us in
calling for them to support a radical shift to renewables while implementing
their commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.
In addition to discovering more
about wind energy, this year Global Wind Day will feature the winners of a
photo and short story competition. We have
received 1,000 entries of stunning photos and insightful personal stories about
wind power from across the globe and are now in the process of choosing the
lucky winners. Keep an eye out here for the results.
Global Wind Day is about promoting the discussion and
understanding of wind power and now is the time to get involved. Attend or coordinate an event, take action online by telling a G8
leader to switch from fossil fuels to renewables or just
strike up a conversation about wind energy with the chap sitting next to you on
the train. Join in and find out about
the possibilities wind power holds to change our world.
Blog by Zoë
Casey
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