Can solar car world trip motivate leaders?

Solar taxi in Beijing

It's easy for anyone not attending the ongoing Poland UN Climate Change Conference to imagine the excitement of those watching Louis Palmer driving his solar-powered car to the venue.

His arrival on Thursday marked the completion of the first global trip by this innovative mode of transport.

Since July 2007, Palmer has driven the zero-emission car 52,000 km through 38 countries in a little over 17 months. It runs at a maximum speed of 90km per hour, and consumes 8 kWh of electricity per 100 km. This means it only uses one fifteenth of the equivalent energy needed by an average 4X4 vehicle.

Palmer's trip made an astonishing story in media across the world. Surely, it is not only a live demonstration of the practicality of solar energy, but also a strong manifestation of the urgency and importance of the increased application of clean energy.

The Poznan meeting is a half-way stage for next year's formation of a new global climate change roadmap to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which is due to expire in 2012. The effectiveness of the new mechanism is down to the determination and courage of those attending the meeting.

It would be spellbinding to see how they actually respond to Palmer's enterprise. Would they just be thrilled and exhilarated? Or can they be stimulated and even encouraged to enforce reforms in policies and businesses in their own countries to embark on a low-carbon economy?

Energy has become the top issue facing all countries, whether it is about pollution caused by burning fossil fuels as seen in China, a key element in the national security as highlighted in the US, or an essential concern in people's everyday life due to its critical shortage in Africa.

Along with solar power, other clean alternatives, such as wind, biomass and geothermal heat, are instrumental to solving these issues detailed above. The question now is, how far each country is willing to take them?

So as said by Palmer, "Admittedly, as a regular citizen I cannot change the world, but I can demonstrate to the world just how dire the global climate situation has become and how many sophisticated solutions to lower the greenhouse gases already exist, which bring with them many other advantages. "

Copyright Dongying Wang