If we continue to change the way we do everyday tasks such as travel, heating and cooling, and device usage then we can meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and remain within the targeted 1.5°C by the Paris Agreement. A newly published study in Nature Energy is the first to show how we can stay within the targeted temperature without relying on unproven technologies. The study shows with new social, behavioral, and technological innovations along with policy support for energy efficiency and low-carbon development can help reverse the ever-growing demand of energy. The innovations researched were those that have not made it to the mainstream yet, but it concludes if and when they do, they would reduce the amount of emissions. One of the innovations researched were efficient electric vehicles with larger occupancies. They concluded these vehicles could reduce the global energy demand for transportation by 60% by 2050. Also, they would reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Hand held devices that offer a wide range of functions, also replace older goods such as books and can reduce the global energy demand. Buildings built with stricter standards for energy performance of heating and cooling, reduces the energy demand by 75% by 2050. A reduction in ingesting red meats also reduce emissions from agriculture, while at the same time it can increase forest areas. The study predicts if the total global energy demand is reduced by 40% by 2050, current and continually projected renewable energy rates of deployment could meet the world’s energy needs. However, for the projected scenario to become reality then it would require tighten standards, low-carbon innovations by businesses, and individual changes in the household.

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