Science, the U.S. academic journal, recently named the global surge in renewable energy its 2025 Breakthrough of the Year. 🌎⚡
Since the Industrial Revolution, society has run on fossil fuels – ancient solar energy stored in coal, oil, and gas. But in 2025, renewables from solar and wind sources began to outpace conventional power across multiple fronts.
The most striking change? In the first half of the year, renewable energy met the entire increase in global electricity demand and even surpassed coal as a primary source worldwide. 🚀
At the heart of this shift is the Chinese mainland's mighty industrial engine. After years of subsidies and careful planning, the region now dominates the production of green tech:
- 80% of the world's solar cells
- 70% of wind turbine manufacturing
- 70% of lithium battery production
Imports of solar panels in Africa and South Asia soared as rooftop systems became an affordable way to power lights, phones, and fans. ☀️📱
Europe remains a major customer, but countries in the Global South are racing to buy solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines driven by market forces and a push for energy independence.
This boom helped bring greenhouse emissions growth in the Chinese mainland to a near standstill and moved the planet closer to a global carbon peak. Yet scientists warn that this momentum must be just the starting point to meet climate goals. 🌱
Runner-ups for the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year included:
- Custom gene editing
- Two new treatments for gonorrhea
- Advanced optical telescopes
- AI-driven language models in research
- Heat-tolerant rice varieties
With renewables now center stage, the world is powered by more than just sunshine and wind – it's fueled by innovation and a shared vision for a greener tomorrow. ✨
Reference(s):
Science names renewable energy surge 2025 Breakthrough of the Year
cgtn.com
