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It is impossible to imagine a world without electricity. We have become so dependent on uninterrupted power supply that when it fails, our life turns upside down. Power outages in the United States have seen an alarming rise since 2008.[s1]  According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Federal databases established at the Department of Energy (DOE), America has witnessed more and longer power outages than any other developed nation in the world in the past decade.

Although the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry has come a long way in terms of advancements and adoption in the past few years, uncertainty remains over the future of EVs. The industry is caught in a “chicken or egg” conundrum, where people are hesitant to dump their traditional fuel-powered vehicles for an electric vehicle until sufficient charging infrastructure is available already. At the same time, investors are hesitant to commit capital until there’s a buoyant market to use them.

With the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) steadily rising, the world seems to be sitting on a time bomb. Studies suggest, from approximately 315 ppm (parts per million) in 1959 to the present atmospheric average of approximately 385 ppm, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is increasing at an alarming rate[s1]. According to a report by IPCC, the world is hurtling towards an era when the global CO2 concentrations will rise to as much as 500–1000 ppm by the year 2100[s2].

Considering the unpredictability of the oil market and the environmental concerns raised by climate scientists world over due to its excessive use, it‘s no longer a question about whether or not we should continue investing in fossil fuels. It is about how soon shall the switch be made entirely to renewable sources of energy.

It’s the need of the hour for more and more RE100 companies to set an example for others. The earth is facing the heat. As a consequence, so are its inhabitants. Motivated by the ill-effects of global warming and environmental issues, Paris Climate Accord accelerated its initiative to facilitate the adoption of 100% renewable energy by industries.

Kathy Jones, a consultant with ABB focusing on energy markets, renewables and environmental rules, talks about the continued rise of wind and solar despite policy setbacks.