Ramez Naam: A faster way to get to a clean energy future

A faster way to get to a clean energy future

When it comes to cost, clean energy is bound to beat out fossil fuels, says technologist Ramez Naam. But the hesitancy to build amid the prevalence of "not in my backyard" campaigns is preventing the creation of our sustainable future. Naam outlines the changes we need to make to get out of our own way and create a stronger, more reliable renewable energy grid. "It is time for us to build," he says.

Climate tech investor, clean energy advocate, author

Clean energy technologies like solar have plummeted in price, dropping from $100 per watt in 1975 to just 20 cents by 2020—a 500-fold decline. Across the globe, wind, batteries, and other renewables are following the same exponential cost curve, outpacing fossil fuels in affordability. Despite this progress, bureaucratic hurdles, slow permitting, and local opposition threaten to stall the transition. Unlocking a sustainable future depends on removing these barriers and investing in the modern, continent-spanning grids that renewables need.