As nations scramble to shore up energy resources and avoid geopolitical conflict over increasingly scarce fossil fuels, scientists and entrepreneurs in many innovative nations are pioneering energy-efficient solutions.
Yet, alternative sources of energy such as wind, tidal and solar are often expensive and inefficient.
Around the globe, individuals, companies and governments are developing new ways to power their businesses, heat their homes and run their cars. Worldfocus examines how countries such as China, Denmark, Brazil and Israel are investing in alternative energy and developing technologies that lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
China and India sign on to Copenhagen climate accord
China and India -- the world's two most populous countries -- have formally agreed this week to be part of the climate change accord that was worked at last December's climate change conference in Copenhagen. The nonbinding document calls for limiting the rise in global temperatures. Andrew Potter of Al Jazeera English reports on the significance of the news.
China surges past competitors in clean energy technology
China is rapidly becoming the leading manufacturer of clean energy. The country has become the largest producer of wind turbines and solar panels and also provides almost 97 percent of the world's supply of rare-earth materials. The world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter could also make the rest of the world reliant on its alternative energy products.
China’s air quality improves but remains highly polluted
In our broadcast this week, we showed how some Chinese drivers are opting for knockoff electric cars that are non-polluting and cheap -- but the electricity that these vehicles use is generated by coal, which increases air pollution and greenhouse gases. We take a deeper look at China's battle against air pollution, courtesy of the Asia Society's China Green multimedia project.
‘Bootleg’ electric cars thrive in China’s second-tier cities
In China, we meet a modern-day Thomas Edison who helped give birth to the country's "knockoff" electric car industry. Chinese consumers in second-tier cities can't get enough of these small, cheap electric cars that require 6 hours of charging to go 75 miles -- at a maximum of 35 mph. Video journalist Jimmy Wang produced the video for TIME and the Asia Society.
Global auto industry slowly adapts to alternative energy
The automobile industry, hard hit by the recession, is facing a fundamental shift in direction. Daljit Dhaliwal speaks with Vijay Vaitheeswaran, a correspondent for The Economist and the co-author of "Zoom: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future," about what he calls the coming "end of the age of oil."
In pursuit of 8% growth, China wields double-edged sword
Although political leaders in China have not reached a consensus about emissions caps, the international community would like to see more concessions. With multimedia content from the Green China project at the Asia Society's Center on U.S.-China Relations, Worldfocus takes a deeper look at both sides of China's role in the climate change debate.
In India, growth-first advocates battle progressives, cynics
There is not much consensus on climate policy in India, which is the fourth-largest aggregate emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide. Navroz K. Dubash of the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi explains Indian climate change politics.
Worldfocus Radio: Red China Goes Green
Will China accept lower growth and higher energy costs that could result from the Copenhagen summit? While virtually no one in China denies climate change, debate focuses on the speed and selection of renewable energy alternatives. Martin Savidge hosts Julian Wong and Rashid Kang to discuss how China is developing its alternative energy programs.
Island in Denmark produces more energy than it consumes
John Larson travels to Denmark's Samso Island to report on its efforts to eliminate fossil fuel use. In 1998, Samso, population 4,000, devised a bold plan to completely switch to renewable energy. Today, the island is 100% carbon-neutral.
Greenhouse gas emissions soaring around the globe
As part of its coverage of this week's Copenhagen climate change summit, the Center for Public Integrity's International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published an interactive graphic depicting emissions. View four different maps showing global emissions totals, produced by data graphic designer Stephen Rountree.
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