Uruguay's leap into renewable energy: a model for the world

Uruguay has nearly eliminated fossil fuels in electricity production, showcasing a successful transition to renewable energy.

Sam Meadows reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Uruguay, once heavily reliant on imported oil, now generates up to 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily wind power.
The transformation, led by physicist Ramón Méndez Galain, involved installing about 50 windfarms.
This shift not only reduced dependency on fossil fuels but also created approximately 50,000 new jobs, demonstrating a successful model for other countries.

Key quote:

"I told people this was the best option even if they don't believe climate change exists. It's the cheapest and not dependent on crazy fluctuations [in oil prices]."

— Ramón Méndez Galain, former Uruguayan Energy Secretary

Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate, and health.

www.theguardian.com

Uruguay's leap into renewable energy: a model for the world

‘Supersizing before our eyes’: UN warns of record El Niño approaching

Goodbye to the least apocalyptic Summer of the rest of your life

China’s carbon pollution fell in recent months as oil demand plummeted

A surge of marine heat waves threatens to scramble ocean life

New Trump rules would limit state power to block pipelines, energy projects

India rejects Hague ruling on Indus waters: What's next?

As a Super El Niño looms, Indonesia’s crippling drought deepens

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.