1 5 1
151
16
Conclusions
Abstract
We are making great progress with the important developments that are
needed with respect to the interrelated challenges of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and improving air quality. Between 2009 and 2019, wind and
solar energy technology has steadily and significantly improved, while
prices for that technology have at the same time continued to decrease and
become competitive with other energy sources. Batteries for electric vehicles
and storage of energy for the electrical grid have similarly improved in
quality and decreased in price, enabling a transition to their use for transportation and electric power management. As these trends continue, the future
is looking good. Research and development is continuing on solar panels,
batteries, wind turbines, and electric vehicles because there is global competition to be the leader in these areas, with the product of choice in the
marketplace.
16.1 Introduction
From our current vantage point, we can look back and see significant changes
over the past ten years in addressing greenhouse gas emissions and air
quality, including the technologies associated with these issues: Renewable
energy technology, battery and electric vehicle technologies, and gradual
improvements of the electrical grid and its management. There have also
been societal changes in policies, economics, and our understanding of air
quality as a renewable common good resource. Some of these developments
have taken longer than others; some of them have changed just in the time
that the authors have been writing this book. This chapter provides some
information on the progress and trends that relate to the topics of the book,
along with some conclusions with respect to the main content and subjects.
In the Introduction we compared the steps we need to take with regard to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving global air quality to setting
out on a new and still dimly lit path. No one likes to walk an unfamiliar path
151
16
Conclusions
Abstract
We are making great progress with the important developments that are
needed with respect to the interrelated challenges of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and improving air quality. Between 2009 and 2019, wind and
solar energy technology has steadily and significantly improved, while
prices for that technology have at the same time continued to decrease and
become competitive with other energy sources. Batteries for electric vehicles
and storage of energy for the electrical grid have similarly improved in
quality and decreased in price, enabling a transition to their use for transportation and electric power management. As these trends continue, the future
is looking good. Research and development is continuing on solar panels,
batteries, wind turbines, and electric vehicles because there is global competition to be the leader in these areas, with the product of choice in the
marketplace.
16.1 Introduction
From our current vantage point, we can look back and see significant changes
over the past ten years in addressing greenhouse gas emissions and air
quality, including the technologies associated with these issues: Renewable
energy technology, battery and electric vehicle technologies, and gradual
improvements of the electrical grid and its management. There have also
been societal changes in policies, economics, and our understanding of air
quality as a renewable common good resource. Some of these developments
have taken longer than others; some of them have changed just in the time
that the authors have been writing this book. This chapter provides some
information on the progress and trends that relate to the topics of the book,
along with some conclusions with respect to the main content and subjects.
In the Introduction we compared the steps we need to take with regard to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving global air quality to setting
out on a new and still dimly lit path. No one likes to walk an unfamiliar path