The Majority World would benefit greatly from an expansion of clean electricity plants such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal generators. For starters, clean electricity plants and the electrons they produce have become much cheaper in recent years, undercutting fossil fuel energy. Moreover, clean energy systems are proving more resilient in the face of climate disasters than fossil fuel powered electricity.

One obstacle to building clean energy generators in Majority World Countries is that they require a relatively large amount of initial investment (compared to fossil energy which has high fuel, maintenance, and decommissioning costs, for example). In the same vein, investment is needed for flexible technologies such as batteries to cheap, intermittent renewables such as solar and wind, and for grid infrastructure (though this cost can be reduced by localizing energy power production and usage, for example.) With that in mind, Majority world nations need support when it comes to building clean energy systems. This could come, in part, from wealthier nations, perhaps as part of ‘loss and damages’, or ‘climate reparations’. Likewise, finance could be raised by inviting private investment into local energy systems, though there is a risk that large foreign corporations may exploit the situation, acting with neither a green transition, nor public good in mind.

Around the world, more clean energy plants are being built every day. The world gets about 40% of its electricity from generators like these, and there are already many countries in the Majority World that are ahead of the curve. The faster we shift away from coal and gas to building clean electricity plants, the better chance we have of reducing the impacts of the climate crisis in Majority World nations, which remain disproportionately vulnerable.

Discard 1 card from your hand, then add 1 Clean Energy token to your player board for each Grid tag in this card's stack.

• Powering Cities in the Global South (World Resources Institute, WRI)

• Rapidly scale up zero-carbon electricity generation (Systems Change Lab)

• Three Benefits of a People-Centric Energy Transition in the Global South (RMI)

• Support an organization such as Sustainable Energy for All, which is working to bring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030 for everyone.

• Ask your elected officials to say no to new coal and fossil fuel plants, and if you live in a wealthier nation – to support Majority World nations in their quest to expand clean power generation. 

• Some companies will work with your power company to ensure they are supplying electricity from renewables to match your electricity use. Contracting with one of these companies helps show power companies that their customers want more renewables.

• Support clean energy initiatives in your community, such as installing solar panels or supporting community wind projects.