From Watts Up With That?

Essay by Eric WorrallMore “proof” that renewables are the cheapest form of energy?

The pioneering carbon dioxide moonshot that could help tackle climate change

Jul 5, 2023

• Time is running out to tackle the climate crisis – we need urgent solutions.
• In the spirit of the moon landing, action is needed to limit global warming.
• Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage could help achieve net-zero.

On 12 September 1962, in a football stadium in Houston, President John F. Kennedy set in motion one of the most daring feats of innovation in modern history. Despite opposition from environmentalists, civil rights leaders and even his own brother, Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the moon” address unified a divided America grown weary from war and fearful for the fate of the nation.…Today, with war returned to Europe and the global economy reeling from COVID-19 we are once again anxious about the fate of the world and doubtful about our ability to change it, not least when it comes to the biggest challenge we face today – climate change. A World Economic Forum surveyfound that while 85% of people believe it is extremely (or very) important to address climate change, but only 40% of North Americans and 31% of Europeans are optimistic about our ability to do so. And there is ample reason for scepticism.…Our remedy – to reduce emissions as fast as possible – is not enough. If we are to stabilise Earth’s climate by the end of this decade we need new moonshots.…Read more: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/07/pioneering-carbon-dioxide-moonshot-tackle-climate-change/

All this comes hot on the heels of a reminder that Swiss Re estimates US $196 trillion is required to fix the climate crisis.

I can’t remember the exact number, but I’m pretty sure the actual US Apollo Mission moonshot didn’t cost $196 trillion, even in inflation adjusted dollars.

Don’t forget folks, renewables are the cheapest form of energy /sarc.