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Energy Democracy: Advancing Equity in Clean Energy Solutions

Edited by Denise Fairchild and Al Weinrub

A global energy war is underway. It is man versus nature, fossil fuel versus clean energy, the haves versus the have-nots, and, fundamentally, an extractive economy versus a regenerative economy. The near-unanimous consensus among climate scientists is that the massive burning of gas, oil, and coal is having a cataclysmic impact on our atmosphere and climate, and depleting earth’s natural resources, including its land, food, fresh water and biodiversity.

Energy Futures for Greater Manchester, UK

A vision for a democratic, fair and clean energy company

Energy Democracy Greater Manchester was established as a campaign group in 2015 to advocate for a municipal energy supply company for the region. Our goal has been to create a democratic, fair and clean company that would be a true departure from the ‘Big Six’ energy company model that currently dominates the UK's energy supply. So far, we focused the majority of our campaign efforts on education and research activities in order to bring together a diverse group of Greater Manchester energy citizens, each with their own interest in changing the current system. Strategies for envisioning a just energy future that involved workers and citizens included a YouGov poll, creative meeting methods, mapping the current energy system and learning from international examples.

GoiEner Cooperative, Basque Country

A renewable energy model based on participation, collective ownership and gender equity

The GoiEner Cooperative was founded in 2012 in the Basque Country as a response to both the energy oligopoly and the rise of the anti-austerity movement connected to the economic crisis. Over the past six years, this cooperative for renewable energy generation and consumption has grown to include nearly 9,000 members, and has become an inspiring model for the transition to a new energy model.