Spain powered itself with renewable energy for nine straight hours

In the case of solar panels, they are able to inject surpluses into the grid and also meet demands when there is sunshine. The new milestone is a great example of how renewable energy can take on a great amount of a country's grid requirements. It's worth noting, though, that nuclear, gas, and coal-fired plants were still operating during these hours, as energy was also exported to surrounding countries.

According to a report by The Local, Spain, Germany, China, and the U.K. top a world ranking compiled by the international non-profit Climate Group, which highlights the world's leaders when it comes to renewable energy. A post by Scientific American, meanwhile, shows that the global share of renewable energy production is constantly increasing, and it now accounts for one-third of electricity generation worldwide.

Spanish government announces €2 billion fund amid ongoing drought

The increase in renewable energy production is a boost for global efforts to fight climate change. However, global governments will have to do a lot more on a global level to mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change, which are already being felt throughout the world.

Spain, for example, is the European country most at risk of desertification by 2050, according to a study by researchers at ETH Zurich and Crowther Lab. Spain also just experienced its hottest April on record, and a study (which has yet to be peer-reviewed) by the World Weather Attribution initiative indicates that this would have been practically impossible without climate change.

An ongoing drought in the country has also recently led the Spanish government to announce a €2 billion ($2.15 billion) fund aimed at mitigating the effects of future droughts, according to a Euronews piece. The money will be partly spent on new infrastructure, such as seawater desalination plants and systems for recycling wastewater.