An Australian scientist, a winner of "Alternative Nobel Prize," has predicted solar energy will meet a quarter of human's kind's energy demand by 2050.

 

The next 10 to 20 years would see a transition from using fossil energy resources, such as natural gas, coal and oil, to renewable resources, including solar, wind and biomass energy, said Martin Green, a solar cell authority and recipient of the 2002 Right Livelihood Award, usually referred to as "Alternative Nobel Prize."

 

Energy transition would be the best solution to further offset the negative impact of global climate change, which was caused by using fossil fuels, the photovoltaic (PV) expert told a Nobel laureate forum in Beijing.

 

Martin said the number of coal-fired power plants could be cut by 15 percent around the world with the application of solar heating.

 

Founded in Sweden in 1980, the Right Livelihood Awards were introduced to "honor and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today".

 

Nine Nobel laureates and five world-renowned scientists, including Robert Mundell, Edmund Phelps, Richard Schrock and Thomas Schelling, are meeting from Sept. 11 to 14 to discuss energy efficiency, solar energy and its market development, global warming and the reduction in greenhouse gases with 600 Chinese scientists, officials and experts in Beijing.

 

Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan told the opening forum that China would vigorously promote energy conservation and emissions reduction to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development.

 

The National Development and Reform Commission, China's top planning body, issued a plan last week, articulating the aim of using renewable resources for 15 percent of its energy consumption in 2020 in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pursue sustained economic growth.

 

The long-term plan would cost China two trillion yuan (US$266.7 billion).

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)