Follow the leader

I was reading the news this morning, thinking how hard it is to make the transition happen to a sustainable, 100% self-sufficient Texel. There are so many things to deal with, it’s such a complex system. But then I read an very interesting article in The Guardian.

As we are trying to begin small, designing a sustainable island like Texel, one small country at the other side of the world is making the sustainable transition look childishly simple. Uruguay has cut down its carbon footprint without government subsidies or higher consumer costs in less than 10 years. Ramón Mendez, head of climate change policy in Uruguay, claims that 94,5% of the country’s electricity is coming from renewables and prices are lower than in the past. The biggest item on import is now wind turbine, where this used to be oil 15 years ago. At that time a new pipeline was also about to supply gas from Argentina. Now biomass and solar power are supplying the country. Next to the existing hydropower, the renewables now account for 55% of the country’s overall energy mix (including transport fuel), compared to a 12% average of the rest of the world.

They went to 95% electricity from renewables in 10 years. 10 years… I suddenly have the hope again that our planet can still be saved, and actually quite fast ! Imagine all countries running on renewables in 2025. It would push the world into a new direction, a new revolution. Not only the use of clean energy, but also the endless fights  for oil can be over.

And according to Mendez, all this is achieved by a rather dull solution: clear decision-making, a supportive regulatory environment and a strong partnership between the public and private sector. No need for new technologies, for high costs, for huge interventions. It all comes done on clear regulations, that provide a good environment for sustainable development.

So it’s time for the rest of the world to change. Open your eyes, look at Uruguay, take their example. Start setting clear goals and directions. The decisions from Paris are a start, but still too weak. Be ambitious and clear. If we wait for the rest of the world to make the first step, we’ll never get there. But this step has actually already been set, by Uruguay, and all we need to do is follow their way and who knows we might end up with 95% renewable energy in 2025..