6 Socioeconomic, Environmental, and Social Impacts of a Concentrated Solar Power Energy Project in Northern Chile

It is evident to all that climate change is happening – the results can be seen in many countries. Floods, freaks storms, wind speeds of more than 80 mph, heat waves, droughts, rising sea levels and disappearing glaciers, largely due to excessive use of fossil fuels. Climate change acceleration began slowly in the 1970s but has now increased beyond our ability to stop it or reduce its impact. Using renewable energy effectively on a large scale will put an end or considerably slow down this process in many parts of the world. This book shows that some countries are making greater efforts than others. Installations of the 70s and 80s were limited to kilowatts while in the 2010s we speak in terms of megawatts. The cost of most renewable energy systems have been reduced by so much that they have reached parity with fossil fuels, or are even cheaper. The most effective progress has been made in photovoltaic systems, whilst concentrated solar power, biomass, wind energy and hydro-power have greatly improved payback periods too. While much is hoped from the outcome of the December 2015 Paris climate summit, realistically in the past very few nations honoured their pledges. A great deal of aid has been given to poor countries which are suffering from climate change, however the donor nations have failed to restrict their own carbon emissions. Many poor countries feel they are being expected to forgo the industrial benefits which came from the industrial revolution powered by fossil fuels. The book will outline the achievements of renewable energy by the end of 2015 / beginning of 2016.