Another side to the story

                                                       

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IMPORTANT ISSUES! THESE ARE NOT SOLICITATIONS

Adam Morton, Climate and environment editor, Guardian Australia

Dear reader, Reporting on the climate crisis can sometimes feel a little like being caught in an avalanche of always worsening news. The catastrophes of the northern hemisphere’s summer, extraordinary bushfires and heatwaves that have killed and displaced tens of thousands, are a grim reminder of how swift and chaotic the changes we’re living through can be. Covering the damage from climate disasters exacerbated by pollution from burning fossil fuels — as they happen, and projections of what lies ahead — is central to the Guardian’s journalistic mission. That won’t change. But there is another side to the climate story. We are also focused on reporting on the rise of green technology, which in some cases is happening far more rapidly than is often credited (though, clearly, not as fast as scientists say is needed). There are signs that the fallout from the war in the Middle East, including skyrocketing oil prices, will further accelerate the clean energy transition.

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Australia, where I live and work, is at the centre of a globally significant boom in household batteries. More than 500,000 systems have been installed in a little more than a year since the introduction of a generous national subsidy scheme. It means that, from a near standing start, about one out of every 20 Australian homes now stores and runs on energy generated from rooftop solar panels. As we reported earlier this year, this is rapidly transforming Australia’s main power grid as it cuts demand for fossil fuel electricity in the evening, when energy use peaks. Instead, households are capturing excess solar power in the middle of the day and using it when they most need it. The International Energy Agency says this has contributed to a 30% fall in the cost of Australian wholesale electricity over the year. Versions of this transformation are playing out across the planet — including in places where governments are actively working against it. In the US, where the Trump administration is fighting an economic and culture war against renewable energy, people continue to embrace solar power at levels that eclipse alternatives. In the industrial midwest, people are installing floating photovoltaic arrays on waterways. And across the country, dozens of states have brought in laws allowing households to connect “plug-and-play” solar systems that hang from balconies and connect directly to a standard wall socket. This type of user-friendly technology is already commonplace in parts of Europe and the UK has recently changed a law to allow people to buy plug-in solar panels. From a reporting point of view, these stories are reason for qualified optimism amid what can be a bleak news cycle. They show cost and logic can win out. Encouragingly, the most cost effective and logical solutions are not only clean, but often give people much greater control over how they get and use energy. We believe these stories — exploring both what is happening and what is possible — need more oxygen. The Guardian is committed to telling them in a way many of our competitors can’t, or won’t. We are not beholden to an owner with ties to fossil fuel interests. We don’t run fossil fuel ads. Our coverage is possible only because of the generosity of readers who have a direct stake in our independent journalism. These are difficult times for many people, but if you are able — and if you believe the climate crisis demands accountability, urgency and clear-eyed journalism, including on solutions that can lead to a better future — we would appreciate it if you considered supporting our work. Back the Guardian today with a one-off contribution or monthly from $5. Support the Guardian

Thank you, Adam

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