Clean energy in local communities

Energy production through the burning of fossil fuels was the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions, comprising 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010. Switching to renewable sources of energy will drastically reduce carbon emissions.

The town of Wolfhagen, Germany, has successfully transitioned to 100 percent green energy, sourcing all of its power from wind and solar power. This was achieved through unprecedented cooperation between the town’s citizens and the local government, with a citizen-led cooperative owning 20% of a public energy company providing the energy supply.

Such influence allowed the citizens to not only express their desire to transition to clean energy but actually push for and effect such changes. This is an excellent example of how local efforts can have big impacts without influence from the federal government.