Electrification involves switching the source of energy that underpins our economies from fossil fuels to electricity. It’s true that electricity has long been produced by burning fossil fuels (for example, in a coal or gas-fired power plant), but so long as electricity is increasingly generated by solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and other non-fossil-fuel energy sources, electrification becomes a powerful climate solution. 

Electrification typically involves measures such as replacing gas boilers with electrical alternatives, fossil-powered transport with electric vehicles, and electrifying fossil powered industrial processes. In this way, electrification has the potential to bring the benefits of cheaper, cleaner energy to new sectors, and eliminate 75% of global carbon emissions in the process. Converting fossil-fuel-burning devices to electric devices also gives other health benefits, reducing air pollution, for example. 

Electrification usually means generating a greater quantity of green electricity, as well as finding ways to  store and transmit that electricity. Though cheaper, cleaner energy has clear benefits, in the meantime electrification calls for substantial investment in electrical infrastructure, as well as the implementation of schemes, subsidies and other regulatory changes designed to encourage a switch to electrical technologies. One big obstacle comes from fossil-interests, keen not to lose money sunk into existing fossil fuel related technology and infrastructure.

When you take this action:

• If you have 2–3 Energy tags in this card's stack, increase your Energy Demand by 1 and remove 1 Buildings Emissions token from your player board.

• If you have 4–5 Energy tags in this card's stack, increase your Energy Demand by 1 and remove 1 Transportation Emissions token from your player board (but not Buildings Emissions).

• If you have 6 or more Energy tags in this card's stack, increase your Energy Demand by 1 and remove 1 Industry Emissions token from your player board (but not Buildings or Transportation Emissions).

You may take this action once per Society tag in this card's stack each round.

• Electrification (Wikipedia)

• Electrification (International Energy Agency)

• Participate in community conversations about how to justly and equitably site electrification infrastructure such as powerlines, solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems.

• Buy products made using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels as a production energy source.

• Encourage your employer to reduce their use of fossil fuels.

• Look at electric options when replacing fuel-burning devices in your home.