I viewed Gerontocrat's charts first with disbelief, then with resignation. The Keeling curve isn't straightening, it's bending into an ever tightening arc, putting a lie to the most even the most pessimistic predictions.
Renewable energy schemes that are planned for the future have little time to prove their worth.
America, China, Russia, India and Europe all have their own energy priorities. None seemingly see Climate Change as more than a temporary upset, one that might even strengthen their relative position, if only they can play their cards correctly.
Some pay lip service to cooperating with other nations, but the goal of each is to survive. To survive and come out the other end with at least as strong a position as they had prior to the Climate Catastrophe.
What renewable energy program will work?
With the supply lines as intertwined as they are I don't think that any nation has any chance of survival. Survival of any one requires the survival of all and there is no end to the catastrophe, at least no end that makes sense based on human time scales. Things will get bad, then they'll get much worse, then they'll get much worse than can be imagined. It won't end well, it won't end poorly, it won't end. Things will simply get increasingly worse.
Renewables that can be maintained and repaired at a village level will last the longest. Windmills will spin salvaged automotive generators for a few generations, then no parts or knowledge of how to repair electrical appliances. Windmills then will be used to mill grain and pump water.
Photovoltaics have an even shorter lifespan because they can't be manufactured and soon very few will have any use for electricity. Liquid fuels will last until they're gone, which will be longer than natural gas, but not as long as coal, where it's easily accessible.
Wood, either as is or in the form of charcoal can warm shelters and cook food. Difficult to transport, but that's not a problem for migratory extended families, and without sanitary sewers frequent migrations may become a way to avoid, or to transport, plagues.
So perhaps a longer view of what constitutes "renewable energy" will depend on the timeframe being considered, what local weather patterns prevail, and what level of technology one has access to.
If mankind is very lucky? we'll avoid nuclear war, nuclear accidents are inevitable, but billions more will still need to die before we reach sustainable levels with very limited technology.
It's increasingly difficult to worry too much about the short term advantages of a specific fuel or technology. As people we'll do what can be done to extend the status quo for as long as possible. I just can't see it lasting for too many decades.
Damn - I should have posted this as doomer porn.
Terry