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.
Bolivia eyes lithium with hopes to transform economy
Bolivia controls nearly half of the world's reserves of lithium, a metal crucial for electric cars and other alternative energy technologies. But who will benefit from this discovery is creating controversy.
On Earth Day, world turns attention to renewable energy
Olav Kjorven, director for the United Nations Development Program's Bureau for Development Policy, discusses how sustainable development can be encouraged in very poor countries and how best to address environmental issues in a time of economic stress.
Tune in: Radio show on resources in the developing world
Worldfocus.org's weekly radio show explored the state of natural resource use, opportunities and dangers for resource-rich developing countries and the role played by the U.S. in this global issue. Dave Burdick, Michael Cohen and Alf Hornborg joined the conversation.
Israeli company builds infrastructure for world’s electric cars
One Israeli company is not just promoting the use of electric cars but designing an entire system to service them, with battery charging stations. Many countries are expressing great interest.
Debate on the electric revolution of the auto industry
Better Place founder Shai Agassi discusses some of the company's challenges with commentary by Bruce Upbin, a managing editor at Forbes Magazine.
Europe looks to harness Saharan heat for solar energy
A small section of the Sahara desert could provide as much electricity as all of the world's power plants combined. A Worldfocus contributing citizen journalist writes about Europe's desire to harness the desert's heat for solar energy and what the plans would mean for Africa.
OPEC announces record oil production cuts
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) set a precedent today with its largest oil production cuts ever -- 2.2 million barrels per day.
Turning algae, wood and waste into biofuels
Along with green revolution trends like natural gas, nuclear power and ethanol fuel blends, people around the world are exploring a host of other “alternative” alternative fuels.
Brazil pioneers energy independence with ethanol
Brazil is the second largest producer of ethanol after the U.S., which uses corn rather than sugarcane.
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