TUVALU aims for 100% renewable energy by 2020

Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific island nation (population 12,000, area 26 square kilometres) that is acutely threatened by man-made global warming (see Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu ).

Tuvalu’s proposed “100% renewable energy by 2020” would mean “cut carbon emissions 80% by 2020” if coupled with energy efficiency, reforestation, return of carbon as biochar to the soil, renewable-based transport and cessation of deforestation (see Lester R. Brown, Janet Larsen, Jonathan G. Dorn, and Frances C. Moore, “Time for Plan B. Cutting emissions 80 percent by 2020”, Earth Policy Institute: http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB3/80by2020notes.pdf ).

According to a report in Treehugger, 2009: “To reach the nation's 100% renewable energy goal will require an estimated $20 million -- the first $800,000 of which will be spent on a 46 kilowatt solar power system on the Motufoua Secondary School in Vaitupu. The whole plan has been facilitated through the work of the e8 - a non-profit international organization made up of 10 leading electric companies from the G8 nations -- which donated and installed the first solar power array.” [1].

[1]. Matthew McDermott, Treehugger, 100% renewable energy by 2020: Tuvalu’s bold new green power goal”, 19 July 2009: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/100-percent-renewable-energy-by-2020-tuvalu.php .