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14
Examples of Progress
Abstract
Many places in the world have made significant progress towards reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. These places show
that reducing combustion has significant social, environmental, and economic benefits for those locations. Recent analyses that include both climate
change impacts and the effects of air quality on health show that it is beneficial to replace coal-fired electricity generation with wind and solar power.
This chapter highlights some of the advances in several of these areas. Cost/
benefit analysis shows that electric buses, cars, and trucks have features that
are beneficial to society and appreciated by riders and those living nearby.
Both the costs of electricity generation with wind and solar systems and the
costs of battery storage of energy have decreased in the last ten years. As
of 2019, it is desirable to move steadfastly forward with actions that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
14.1 Introduction
There are many examples of progress that could be included in this chapter
to illustrate that the transitions towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions
and improved air quality are moving along in many parts of the world. In
this chapter, some recent information is presented on electric vehicles, battery
storage of electricity, and the co- benefits of considering both greenhouse gas
emissions and air quality.
14.2 Electric Vehicles
There continues to be considerable excitement about the development of electric vehicles (EVs). Although some of it may be exaggerated, it is definitely the
129
14
Examples of Progress
Abstract
Many places in the world have made significant progress towards reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. These places show
that reducing combustion has significant social, environmental, and economic benefits for those locations. Recent analyses that include both climate
change impacts and the effects of air quality on health show that it is beneficial to replace coal-fired electricity generation with wind and solar power.
This chapter highlights some of the advances in several of these areas. Cost/
benefit analysis shows that electric buses, cars, and trucks have features that
are beneficial to society and appreciated by riders and those living nearby.
Both the costs of electricity generation with wind and solar systems and the
costs of battery storage of energy have decreased in the last ten years. As
of 2019, it is desirable to move steadfastly forward with actions that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
14.1 Introduction
There are many examples of progress that could be included in this chapter
to illustrate that the transitions towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions
and improved air quality are moving along in many parts of the world. In
this chapter, some recent information is presented on electric vehicles, battery
storage of electricity, and the co- benefits of considering both greenhouse gas
emissions and air quality.
14.2 Electric Vehicles
There continues to be considerable excitement about the development of electric vehicles (EVs). Although some of it may be exaggerated, it is definitely the