Energy evolution
As the need for a low carbon economy becomes more pressing, Our Future Planet considers ways to get there, and what might happen if we can’t.
The situation is remarkably simple; we have to reduce global energy consumption to stand any opportunity of maintaining and advancing standards of life and quality for all the planet’s inhabitants.
The best way to do this is widely understood to be through the introduction of the low carbon economy. This impacts massively on energy supply, but it’s also about all the goods we buy and use.
The logic is simple, fiscal incentives and punitive measures towards low carbon, often renewable energy sources aim to drive and incentivise investment into a more sustainable energy mix.
Of course, doing so isn’t always possible without accusations over fair trade, but the reality remains that one of the most effective ways to encourage take up of nascent sustainable technologies has been through legislative measures that use a carrot and stick approach, encouraging firms to widen their green tech departments and look to a sustainable future.
Of course, most global governments are reluctant to face up to the realities of what we do if all of this fails to happen. But among fundamental changes to our daily lives and routines would be something unfamiliar to most Westerners: energy rationing.
Making do with less
Energy rationing is nothing complex, it merely involves setting limits per household on energy usage. These might work on an overall cap, or they might relate to hourly usage or limitations at peak times of day.
Either way, this kind of stranglehold, potentially limiting TV or internet use, or boilers for hot water and cookers for heating, is not something most developed countries care to imagine. But there are precedents for this kind of change.
In January 2010, Venezuela’s President introduced energy rationing, with moving blackouts throughout the day. Venezuelanalysis.com is an independent non profit website produced by individuals who are dedicated to disseminating news and analysis.
‘Venezuelan Electricity Minister Angel Rodriguez announced a plan for nationwide electricity rationing on Monday, to combat a crisis in the electricity sector,’ reported the site on January 13 2010.
‘Many regions of the country have been experiencing unplanned power outages for months as a record drought combined with poor planning and structural problems in the electricity sector affected production and distribution capacity.’
‘Rodriguez contended the rationing as necessary to prevent water levels in the Guri hydro-electric dam, which provides 70 per cent of the country’s power needs, from dropping to critical lows. “With these measures, we’re trying to keep Guri from taking us to a very critical situation at the end of February, from creating let’s say a total shutdown of the country,” he told state television.
‘The electricity cuts of four hours duration every other day will continue until May when seasonal rains are expected to increase water levels in the Guri Dam.’
These problems bring into stark relief the issues brought about by unsustainable thinking. Relying on one hydroelectric source for power seems a short sighted mentality. But is the West’s reliance on oil, or China’s dependence on coal powered stations so very different?
Yet more ironic is the fact that, according to the US Energy Information Administration (USEIA) Venezuela ‘contains some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world. It consistently ranks as one of the top suppliers of U.S. oil imports and is among the top ten oil producers in the world’
However, Venezuela is not alone. Also in January 2010, the UK imposed restrictions on gas supplies to major corporates, as a particularly harsh winter pressurised gas flow and availability.
Plainly, this is less likely to impact on individual consumers or bring home how likely such restrictions will become unless more viable sources of energy are brought online.
But yet more recently, acute shortages in Iraq just days ago have caused chaos and rioting, plus the resignation of the Energy Minister.
Iraqenergy.org is an independent non-profit institute, which aims to end the challenges that are currently impeding the progress of development in Iraq's energy sector.
‘Former minister of electricity Karim Wahid resigned from the post on Monday, following regular protests against power cuts which have stretched over 18 hours a day in some places, coming as the country experiences summer temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius,’ it reported.
’Iraq’s power problems date back to the early 1990s, when the national electricity network was destroyed in the first Gulf War. Since the US-led invasion in 2003, all attempts at fixing the power supply crisis have failed. Power produced does not meet demand.’
Getting there
There is, however, an indication that in some countries at least, steps are being made to get energy usage on track. The UK’s Carbon Trust is responsible for driving the UK carbon economy.
‘Since 2001, more than 3000 public sector organisations have worked with the Carbon Trust,’ it explained. ‘The energy-saving projects they have been implemented during that time will deliver combined cost savings of £650m over their lifetime and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6.5 million tonnes.
‘But the future potential is even greater, with further public sector projects already identified that could deliver additional cost savings of up £3 billion and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 34 million tonnes.’
‘Richard Rugg, Head of Public Sector at the Carbon Trust, said: “The UK public sector has shown impressive leadership in recent years in tackling carbon emissions and bringing down energy use. It is especially encouraging to see that, along with greater levels of knowledge and skills, we are also seeing a steady increase in ambition.
“A few years ago, organisations graduating from our public sector carbon management programmes aimed, on average, to cut their carbon emissions by 12% over five years, now they are aiming for 30%.”’
Elsewhere, from June 25, 2010 The Danish Minister for the Environment was in China to promote Danish environmental and energy technology.
“The main purpose of the trip is to create and nurture our connections with Chinese decision makers, so that we can promote Danish companies’ export opportunities to China in the environmental technology area,” explained Denmark’s official website.
“It not only benefits Denmark, but also the environment in China. It is important that we show our responsibility in the best possible way by encouraging transfer of our experience and technologies, so that China is prepared to unite growth with better protection of the environment,” said Karen Ellemann, Danish Minister for the Environment.
Exporting the right knowledge will be a good first step to putting the planet on the right path to energy efficiency. It needs to be done quickly.
What are your views? Not sure? Read the resources below for more information. Add your comment below. We welcome your thoughts and proposals. Not a Planetary Citizen? Sign up to Our Future Planet today!
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Resources:
Global Energy Rationing
How We Can Save the Planet Mayer Hillman (with Tina Fawcett), Penguin Books, June 2004 Summary
Reforming Energy Subsidies Opportunities to Contribute to the Climate Change Agenda
FEASTA - ENERGY RATIONING & THE OIL PRICE CRISIS
