In the midst of the various news stories that we find distressing, there are some signs of hope because of new climate tech spurred on by the Chinese. While the US is trying to force Europe to buy more LNG, the Chinese are offering solar panels to counties both in south Asia and Africa.
We usually don’t think of China as a clean energy country but in the last four years China has doubled its reliance on solar, now at about 18% of energy usage. And if you combine that with wind, usually across windy steppes, it amounts to 25%. China, realizing that many countries cannot rely on fossil fuels, is offering all kinds of goodies in solar projects, especially in Africa.
Here at home, east of San Jose, California, is the world’s first solar power irrigation district in a small town called Turlock, where the water is drawn from the Tuplomme River, irrigating 150,000 acres of farmland. So on this last Sunday of summer, let us take hope and joy in new approaches to energy, whether abroad or here at home.
Prayer for the Day
Fill our fearful hearts with the faith that transforms lives,
Bringing us into your presence through care for each other;
Free us, O God, from old fears that dampen our spirits,
Expanding our vision of what you are and what we can be.
May we walk in your ways caring for the world around us,
So we are able to become beacons of change.
In the name of the One who gives us hope,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The electric power sector will generate 124 billion kWh from solar this summer, 34% more than it did during the June-September 2024 period, according to the US Energy Information Administration despite open hostility from the current administration.
Utility Dive
Developers are eyeing giant cable projects around the world as the growth of renewable energy creates huge value in trading electricity across different time zones and weather patterns, in order to match supply and demand.
Bill McKibben, environmental activist
The earth is the lord’s and all that is init, the world, and those who live in it;
For God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Psalm 24: 1