TWC Session 8

Brief Overview/Summary

We look at Energy and World change in this lesson.

When we shift our current unsustainable fossil fuel-based energy intensive economy to an environmentally sound and clean and green approach, it will prepare us for a totally new economy that is driven by changes stated below:

-Rising Energy Consumption and need for economic development.
-Need for sustainability ie. Brazil turned to agriculture (gasohol programme) due to their lack of natural fuel resource to produce alcohol-energy, leader in this type of green technology
-New technologies and approaches; energy conserving technologies – increase energy efficiency and lessen impact on environment
-Cost (Environmental Pricing: People are increasingly realising the market price of tapping onto resources are different from the true price.)

We also looked at some key considerations:

-Energy Security – fuel and source diversity, increasing efficiency
-Energy as a source of national income – Middle East, Nigeria (petroleum), these countries are trying to diversify their economy because they realise oil supply are not infinite.
-Energy for the poor – biomass stoves (traditional source of energy, burning coal and wood), solar refrigerators etc.
-Global carbon market
-Energy and transportation technology (how to generate more effective energy usage in transportation?)
-Biotechnology and energy (Plant-based technology and bio-fuels to produce energy generate interests and awareness.)

We looked at our global primary energy consumption and the consumption by region- Oil and natural gas consumptions are growing in recent years and asia mostly using coal. Fossil fuels form 78% of global consumption, followed by renewables which form 19% and nuclear 2.8%.

Interesting Observation and Ideas

A video by WWF Brazil that illustrates old unsustainable technology versus new ideas that drives a cleaner and more sustainable economy.

The amount of energy given by the sun in one hour is more than what humankind currently uses in an entire year. The potential to tap on the energy of the sun is great.

How much energy can be generated by 1 sq km of land? Studies showed that wind can capture 25 times more of energy than biomass, and finally photovoltaic (solar energy) can produce 170GWh/square sq km of land! Wind and solar could possibly be a solution, but we have not been looking at it due to various reasons like lack of investments, initiative and infrastructures.

China is investing the most in clean energy in R&D because they realise they cannot depend on coal to power the country’s economy which pollutes their land. Countries like US, Germany, Brazil, Italy and India are all joining the bandwagon of clean energy. While government initiatives are being rolled out to develop clean and renewable energy, the individuals must be supportive of such plans and say yes to the use of alternative energy. We have resources and technology to spearhead the renewable energy revolution, but who is going to take the political initiative to change the attitude and consumption habits and behaviors?

Make sure infrastructure, job opportunities and facilities that benefits people of hosting countries for renewable energy. It requires good leadership and governance who possess good negotiating powers for hosting countries of solar technology to ensure locals are not taken advantage of by other countries investing in them.

We discussed about policy tools for facilitating change to a green economy, ie. Education Campaigns, subsidies/ investments/ tax credits, incentives, taxation, voluntary industry agreements, compulsory standards. However there are disadvantages to these strategies for example, uncertainty, weak ability to enforce, regressive, negative economic impact on industry etc.

Key Takeaway Points
Climate change is real, we have the capacity to change to cleaner energy. Government and consumers can play apart in supporting renewable energy and increase in our demand for clean energy, there by opening up the market for clean energy.

Benedict talked about the possibilities of burning trash to turn it into energy sources (adopted in Sweden)and Sam presented examples of renewable energy sources that could replace our traditional sources of energy. One bizarre source is energy from faeces that can be used as biofuel.

Government can adopt a few policies to promote clean energy: update fuel economy standards, encourage reduction in fuel use, increasing electric train use, incentives for reducing passenger transport demand, more clean buildings, encourage and invest in clean energy.

Personal Rating
7/10