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US Shifts to Fossil Fuels as Global Renewables Surge

Despite the US's shift towards fossil fuels, global renewable energy growth is remarkable. Can this trend continue to meet increasing demand?

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US Shifts to Fossil Fuels as Global Renewables Surge

In a significant shift, the US government under President Donald Trump has reversed course on climate policy, favoring fossil fuels over renewables. Meanwhile, global renewable energy growth has been remarkable, with solar and wind power outpacing demand and coal generation.

Trump's administration has prioritized fossil fuel production, leading to a federal policy shift away from renewables. This move, in 2025, aims to expand coal, oil, and natural gas production. However, this increased use of fossil fuels releases planet-warming gases, contributing to more severe extreme weather events.

In stark contrast, India's solar and wind growth has outpaced demand growth. Fossil fuel generation has dropped, leading to a decrease in emissions. Solar and wind generation combined grew by more than 400 terawatt hours, surpassing overall global demand. For the first time on record, renewable energies generated more power than coal. Similarly, in China, solar and wind additions outpaced the rest of the world combined, with fossil fuel generation falling by 2%. Global solar generation grew by a record 31% in the first half of the year, while wind generation grew by 7.7%.

Despite this growth, electricity demand is increasing due to economic growth, electric vehicles, data centers, and rising populations. However, it is possible to wean off polluting sources of power with continued investment in renewables. Notably, worldwide solar and wind power generation has outpaced global entry this year.

While the US government's shift towards fossil fuels raises concerns about climate change, the global trend towards renewable energy is undeniable. With continued investment and innovation, it is feasible to meet increasing electricity demand while reducing reliance on polluting power sources.

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