350 ppm pathways for florida
transitioning florida off fossil fuels
The energy experts at Evolved Energy Research (EER) - co-authors of the national “350 PPM Pathways for the United States” report published in 2019 - have released a new study that introduces multiple accessible, systemic, and economically feasible strategies to rapidly transition Florida off fossil fuels and toward climate stabilization.
This study is the first of its kind to detail multiple low carbon energy pathways Florida can take to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide to below 350 parts per million (ppm) by 2100, the scientific prescription for preserving a safe and stable climate.
Florida is our nation’s third most populous state. In 2016, Florida also ranked third highest in our nation for greenhouse gas emissions. This report offers a roadmap for making Florida first in the nation for energy system revitalization and renewal energy adoption, and demonstrates to our courts that the remedy sought by the youth plaintiffs in Reynolds v. State of Florida - the declaration of their constitutional rights and a directive for their government to create a science-based climate recovery plan - is wholly achievable.
Watch a recording of the October 8, 2020 online event to introduce the “350 PPM Pathways for Florida” report here.
two key findings from the report:
1) It’s achievable.
Report findings establish that Florida can meet statewide energy demand with 100% renewable energy sources (wind, water, solar, hydro, biomass, carbon storage, etc.) by 2050, even with a steady increase in demand for energy services. However, achieving this transformation in Florida by mid-century requires an aggressive deployment of low-carbon technologies and long-term energy system redevelopment strategies, all of which were detailed in concrete actions that should be taken in each decade (click each image to enlarge):
2) It’s affordable.
The report also found that overall net cost for energy transition would be very modest given that most new spending on energy infrastructure would be offset by reduced spending on fossil fuels. As noted by Ben Haley with EER during the online report launch event on October 8, 2020, our governments already spend millions (or, nationally, trillions!) of dollars on energy systems and infrastructure; the transformation outlined in this new report would instead invest these dollars in cleaner, safer, more sustainable technologies and energy sources rather than energy systems that contribute to climate change and harm Florida’s youth. When the devastating costs of climate change, as measured via disaster relief/response and health care costs, are incorporated, switching to renewable energy systems clearly becomes the better, cleaner, and wholly affordable way forward. (click each image to enlarge):