Energy and World Change: Past, Present, Future

Energy and World Change: Past, Present, Future

Considering some of the world’s industrial change in the use of energy as compared from the past till present to future, we see the result of many other solutions towards the use of energy for global climate, pollutions for better environmentally benefits today. In the past, industries (Transportation, medical, agriculture and manufacturing) have been on a hot and cold trend towards the use of alternative energy measures for natural resources. 

So why has the use of alternative energy become more feasible as compared in the past? One factor we can consider, “If global warming was never an issue, will environmentally production and innovation exist?” I would believe so. Because even without these issues, the products of new and innovation of alternative energy will still come about – take for example the use of simple mirrors in directing sun light’s energy to create heat as a source of energy.

Foreseeing the next industrial revolution – it will be expecting a shift from current unsustainable fossil fuel based energy market to a more renewable energy alternative based market . And who knows, nuclear energy may become the next big thing.

Let’s take a further step in the analysis, are we facing an energy crisis, or is there a crisis of ignorance. I would agree that there is a crisis of ignorance. Here is a video to share; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fVI3BRBC6o&feature=related. It relates to issues on how today global renewable energy is potential remains abundant and only if we CHOOSE to use it, it will be an advantage for us. No doubt we are using minority of road to renewable energy. Some examples such as Stabilize population growth and enhance trade, cooperation and peace etc... Considering the fact that even without new technologies, it is already possible of us to take a step out of out hidden shell to face this problem of renewable usage only if we were to choose for, given today’s advancements.

Another interesting video I would like to share is how public media is able to be a popular platform for engaging a global public concern, and through educating them and moving them into action might be a creative way to help change the demand and supply for renewable resources. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-hzUGFD-Gc&feature=related

This video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5urRA-nypkM&feature=related also introduced the various types of renewable resources extensively with some great examples for our knowledge.

In the recent years, there have been other drivers which contributed to Global Energy Change too. Some of the examples are listed as follows:

ü  Rapidly rising energy prices

ü  Rising energy consumption and need for economic development– dealing with inequities )

ü  Need for sustainability (given environmental impact of energy)- Renewable Energy Sources

ü  New technologies and approaches

·         energy conserving technologies – increasing energy efficiency (energy/GDP)

·         Pollution prevention/reduction technologies

However, such changes bring about limitations too. One key issue that is important is the energy security. There are a number of concerns and fears for oil and other fossil fuel depletion (peak oil, etc), our reliance on foreign sources of energy, the rise of geopolitics (such as supporting dictatorships, rising terrorism, “stability” of nations that supply energy). Energy needs of poorer countries, and demands from advancing developing countries such as China and India. Economic efficiency versus population growth debate as well as environmental issues, in particular climate change.

One issue that Prof brought up was on: What will the Middle Eastern countries do with the wealth they generate from petroleum? Middle Eastern counties have been investing into other areas of developments with their wealth of petroleum, and failed to consider the fact that their resources depletes one day. This means more needs to be done on renewable resources.

It is seen that dung is another renewable resource. But will society accept the fact that dung is being use as a renewable energy? I doubt everyone will agree with using dung; however I have came across a video that showed the locals in South Asia, they are open to the concept of using cows’ dung as renewable energy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JU8Os3yNEI, it can be burned as fuel to cook with. In fact, the idea of dung as a renewable actually works well if only we choose to use it. Thus, the I feel that dung would be a feasible approach for renewable since it will never deplete and why not capitalize this in areas of technological which do not affect human’s negativity views.

From the readings, the worldenergy.org described that the pursuit of energy sustainability should involved in energy policy making that has to meet multiple highlights of – economic development, national security, social welfare, and environmental protection needs to be governed by principles relating to long term energy sustainability. It shows that many countries are pursuing energy sustainability through ambitious and versatile programmes.

However, there are few implications for policymakers, such as rebalance strategic ambitions in light of energy sustainability goals – requires a transparent consideration of policy trade-offs, the develop policy frameworks that are sufficiently flexible that is able to respond both to strategic market disruption and tactical developments in fast moving areas (renewable energy installations) and reducing construction lead times and ensure the reliable connection of new generation assets to transmission grids. There is also a need to pre-empt potential issues in the implementation of policies and to reduce the likelihood of hesitancy about polices. The effect of enhancing stakeholder engagement and securing greater acceptance for critical energy sector transformations is an important stage to review on too.

Apart from that, energy industry needs to cope with long term disruptive changes in resource availability and the likelihood of significant regulatory impacts, policy priorities and more volatile commodity markets as well as exploring with government how the risks of major investments can be reduced, resulting in lower costs for consumers.