While California has made strides toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the state's ambitious carbon neutrality target by 2045 is facing increasing obstacles. From the slow adoption of electric vehicles to the complexities of transitioning to renewable energy sources, California is grappling with the real-world implications of its climate agenda.
California , a state known for its ambitious climate goals, is facing growing challenges in its pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2045. While there has been broad support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, practical implementation is encountering resistance. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs), for example, has hit a plateau.
Despite EVs making up about 20% of new car purchases, a significant increase is needed to meet Governor Gavin Newsom's target of eliminating gas-powered car sales by 2035. This slowdown is attributed to the high cost of EVs, the limited availability of charging stations, and the phasing out of federal subsidies.Another hurdle is the conversion of California's electricity grid to renewable sources like wind and solar. Phasing out natural gas-fired power plants while simultaneously meeting current electricity demands and expanding output to accommodate millions of electric vehicles is a complex undertaking. The state needs to ensure sufficient battery backup capacity to cover periods when wind and solar energy are unavailable. A recent study published in the Renewable Energy journal found that renewable energy sources, combined with battery backup, supplied 100% of the state's demand for up to 10 hours on 98 out of 116 days during the late winter and early summer of 2024, setting a record. However, this progress was overshadowed by the devastating fire at a large battery facility in Moss Landing, prompting concerns and calls for further investigation.
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