International sustainable energy organizations
Each person who embraces the ideas of green energy helps to make a small difference in the world. That effect is multiplied when a person passes that knowledge on to others. You can just imagine the results can be achieved from people working together in national and even international organizations, all dedicated to making the earth a greener and more sustainable place to live.INFORSE (International Network for Sustainable Energy) was founded in 1992 as a network for non-profit organizations related to sustainable energy and the elimination of poverty. North American members of INFORSE include the Canadian Association for Renewable Energies, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, and many others. But INFORSE is more than just a special club for other organizations to join. The network is developing scenarios for transitioning to a 100 renewable energy supply by 2050, and also publishes course material related to sustainable energy and environmental issues online. INFORSE has attended UN Conferences as an NGO, including the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.The World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) came together in 2001. The WCRE tackles renewable energy issues at a number of different levels, including “the multinational, governmental, institutional, corporate, community and individual.” Solar energy supporter, EUROSOLAR president, and German Parliament member Herman Scheer served as General Chairman of the organization until his death in October 2010. Other chairmembers include Peter Droge (Professor for Sustainable Spatial Development at University Liechtenstein), Michael T. Eckhart (President of the American Council on Renewable Energy), Dr. Jose Etcheverry (Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, Toronto), and Angelina Galiteva (Coordinator for Renewable Energy City Initiatives), among others.One of the newest international organizations is the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which was started in 2009. The organization promotes renewable energy adoption around the globe, offering advice to governments on issues like renewable energy policy and technology transfer. IRENA is working closely with existing organizations like REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) to ensure a seamless transition. 149 countries, as well as the European Union, have signed the IRENA statute, and 42 have ratified it. Members include most the United States, India, Japan, Australia, and most European and African countries.