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Renewables covered 95% of Portugal’s power needs last month
(www.euronews.com)
Discussion of climate, how it is changing, activism around that, the politics, and the energy systems change we need in order to stabilize things.
As a starting point, the burning of fossil fuels, and to a lesser extent deforestation and release of methane are responsible for the warming in recent decades:
How much each change to the atmosphere has warmed the world:
Recommended actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the near future:
Anti-science, inactivism, and unsupported conspiracy theories are not ok here.
All true. A few problems facing increasing renewable penetration:
Lack of grid capacity. The national grid operator (REN) has stated there is not enough capacity currently, or in the planned grid expansions, to meet the countries renewable targets.
Rising opposition to projects. Many projects are facing strong local opposition, for example the the 1gw project in Santiago do Cacém which has seen strong resistance from local organisations set up to oppose it.
Environmental protections. They are important and needed, but Portugal has very strong laws here and it is a big obstacle to renewable development.
Cork trees. Cork trees are worshipped, its even difficult to clear sapplings that are of no value or importance. It makes large swathes of land uneconomical for renewable development.
Despite the above, which (except for cork trees) aren't unique to portugal, the country is doing well. It will be interesting to see the stats in the coming dryer years, as you say.