The World - News from Jan. 31, 1988

Brazil and Norway are leading the way in switching from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources, the environmental group Worldwatch Institute reported. Israel, Japan, the Philippines and Sweden are also decreasing reliance on fossil fuels in favor of wood and water power. Brazil is obtaining 59% of its energy from renewable sources, chiefly hydroelectric, and Norway, an oil exporter, gets most of its energy from hydroelectric power and wood. However, the report from the Washington-based institute added that governments would have to do more if renewables are to be a major global alternative to oil and coal.