General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How many people here want a country of low energy, low tech farms? [View all]MadHound
(34,179 posts)But economically, socially, politically, it is not going to happen. Government policies favoring fossil fuels will continue to be generous, if not grow. Policies favoring renewables will continue to be miserly, if not shrink. Corporate policies will continue to push fossil fuels over renewables as well. The economics of coal and natural gas will continue to dictate a centralized power distribution model over a decentralized one. Yes, an increasing number of people will switch to off grid, but the cost factor, the comfort factor will conspire to keep renewables out of most people's reach.
Besides, renewables have become a political symbol, and with roughly a third of population disbelieving in climate change, just how many people will discount the use of renewables automatically? Seventy to one hundred million, that's quite a large part of your equation gone.
I would love to see a decentralized energy model in place, I have advocated for it here and elsewhere, and it can be done, technically. But other obstacles are far to great to readily overcome, at least not in the time frame you're talking about.