Lower cost, less controversy: Business case builds for energy efficiency

(Reuters News, 11 Sep 2019) Using much less energy to power everything from buildings to cars is a promising - and not-so-divisive - way to meet climate goals, experts say.

At the Rocky Mountain Institute's offices in Colorado, each chair comes equipped with its own temperature control system.

In hot weather, sweating staff can switch on small fans in the chair's back and seat to stay cool. On cold days, heaters similar to those built into car seats keep workers warm.

The individual controls are a way of helping the institute keep its building's planet-warming emissions near zero by not heating or cooling it too much, while making employees happy.

"If the room temperature is between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius (65-85F) you'll still be comfortable to your individual requirements," said Amory Lovins, co-founder of the sustainability institute and an evangelist for energy efficiency as the smartest way to beat global warming.

As the world seeks ways to hold the line on climate change, shifting away from fossil fuels and adopting renewable energy sources is crucial, scientists say.

That remains a challenging task, with about 80% of global energy use still coming from oil, gas and coal, said Cleo Verkuijl, a researcher at the Stockholm Environment Institute.

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Reuters News, 11 Sep 2019: Lower cost, less controversy: Business case builds for energy efficiency