"Living in America, it can feel like it’s nearly impossible
to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, but even our car-obsessed society doesn’t
have it as bad as island-dwellers. The island nations of the South Pacific are
among some of the most petroleum-dependent countries in the world.
That’s because islands don’t have massive oil reserves or coal deposits. In
order to generate electricity, South Pacific nations must import huge amounts
of fuel to power diesel generators.
Now, one island nation has said enough is enough. The
South Pacific nation of Tokelau is aiming to ditch its diesel dependency and
transform itself into the world’s first solar-powered country. Using 4,032 solar panels and 1,344
batteries, the island nation will generate 150% of its own current
electricity demand."
