The Future of Sustainable Energy

The devastating impacts of climate change have awakened mankind to the need for reform. Today, more and more households and firms are embracing sustainable energy. Inefficient energy sources that compound the emission of greenhouse gases are being abandoned in favor of environmentally-friendly options. Technological advances are also accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy. For instance, smart cars and driverless cars are being developed as part of efforts to combat global warming. Such companies as Tesla are investing huge amounts in the development of electric cars. It is predicted that these cars will replace the fuel-powered vehicles that are on the road today. As mankind enters the future, sustainable energy will power nearly all human pursuits. 

Background 

The discussion below will examine some of the forces that are driving the adoption and development of sustainable energy. However, before delving into this discussion, it is helpful to examine a number of issues and trends that surround sustainable energy. Sustainable energy is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of energy sources. These include wind energy, solar power and geothermal energy (Tester et al., 2012). The main feature of these energy sources is that they power processes today and can be relied on to continue driving the processes in the future. Efficiency is another feature that defines sustainable energy and sets it apart from traditional sources of energy. For example, for decades, coal has fueled industrial processes. Despite the critical role that it has played in promoting production and other functions, coal has been determined to be very inefficient. Only a small amount goes into providing power. On the other hand, renewable energy sources tend to be highly efficient. Coupled with modern technology, renewable energy provides huge amounts of power while minimizing wastage. 

Factors Driving Sustainable Energy 

The development of sustainable energy is not a random process. It is the result of deliberate effort and a response to various crises that mankind has faced. Such realities as climate change and the depletion of traditional sources of energy have forced mankind to redouble investments in renewable energy. In the following discussion, some of the issues which have set the stage for sustainable energy are examined in detail. 

Climate Change 

Climate change is among the numerous factors that are accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy. Basically, climate change is concerned with the rise in global temperatures. The higher temperatures have led to rises in sea levels and the melting of ice sheets. Investment in sustainable energy is one of the responses to climate change. It has been established that mankind is behind climate change (Cotton & Pielke, 2007). Industrial processes and other human pursuits emit huge amounts of dangerous gases into the atmosphere. For instance, coal emits toxic gases which combine with rain water to create acid rain. Furthermore, coal and other dangerous energy sources such as oil threaten marine life. For example, fish and other marine animals die and are forced out of their habitats when oil spills occur. Sustainable energy promises to address these issues. Basically, through sustainable energy, mankind is attempting to address the root causes of climate change. It remains to be seen whether investment in sustainable energy will be sufficient to undo the damage that mankind has caused. 

To understand how climate change is fanning the development of sustainable energy, it is important to consider a number of critical examples. The UK is one of the countries that have invested heavily in sustainable energy. To compel businesses and households to adopt efficient and environmentally-friendly energy solutions, the country has enacted the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act (2006). The main purpose of this law is to minimize carbon emission and to encourage the use of renewable energy. Other countries have followed the example of the UK and enacted laws which promote sustainable energy. For instance, Canada enacted the income tax act. Among the provisions of this act is a write-off that households and firms receive when they produce and exploit renewable energy (Brown, 2007). The laws that different countries have enacted with the goal of promoting sustainable energy are indications that climate change is driving the adoption of sustainable energy. 

In the discussion above, two countries which have enacted legislation to tackle climate change and boost investment in sustainable energy have been identified. These countries are not alone. Firms are also joining efforts to protect earth through sustainable energy. Tesla is perhaps the biggest investor in sustainable energy. Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla has developed various projects which demonstrate the firm’s commitment to tackling climate change (Mack, 2016). For example, the company is developing Gigafactories that have the capacity to store huge amounts of solar energy. The example of Tesla and its mission shows that sustainable energy is the direct result of mankind’s effort to tackle climate change. In their article, Elum and Momodu (2017) address the impact that sustainable energy has on the efforts to mitigate against climate change. They note that sustainable energy holds the key to securing the future of mankind. Their article adds further weight to the position that climate change is among the forces driving sustainable energy. 

Decline of Coal 

The depletion of coal reserves is another force that has fueled the development of sustainable energy. As the amount of available coal continues to dwindle, mankind will be forced to increase investments in sustainable energy. In such regions as the EU, countries are moving away from coal and turning to other sources for their energy supplies. In their article, Kavouridis and Koukouzas (2008) discuss how EU countries are embracing alternative sources of energy. These countries seek to contribute to the global effort to lower carbon emissions. The desire to tackle climate change is not the only factor that is inspiring these and other countries that are abandoning fuel. Across the globe, a drastic decline in coal reserves is being witnessed. For example, the Central Appalachian region is witnessing a significant decrease in the volume of coal (McIlmoil & Hansen, 2009). It is helpful to note that the decline in coal reserves is not a global phenomenon. In some parts of the world, the amount of available coal remains high. For instance, Illinois and Montana still hold huge coal reserves (Inman, 2010). Despite having high amounts of coal, the US has seen a sharp fall in the demand for and the use of coal energy (Krauss, 2016). The decline of coal has facilitated the rise of sustainable energy. Firms, households and countries are moving away from coal and towards sustainable energy. 

To understand why sustainable energy is rapidly taking the place of coal, it is necessary to consider the flaws of coal and the merits of sustainable energy. One of the disadvantages of coal is that its combustion lowers the quality of air. As a result, human health suffers. Emily Prehoda and Joshua Pearce investigated the effect of coal on human health. They note that “ poor air quality from coal combustion adversely impacts human health including mortality and morbidity effects” (Prehoda & Pearce, 2017). On the other hand, sustainable energy such as solar power is safe and has no adverse impacts on human health. Another advantage of sustainable energy is that it guarantees the future of economies and mankind. In a press release, the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) argued that the US can secure its future through replacement of coal with sustainable and renewable energy ( “ NRDC Report ”, 2017). It is clear that there is confidence in the capacity of sustainable energy to deliver mankind into a future of safety and efficiency. 

Despite the decline in coal reserves, this energy source continues to power various processes. In addition to coal, households and firms also use oil. In 2015, 69.1 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) of crude oil was produced in the European Union ( “ Oil and Petroleum”, 2017). This figure is significant and points to the fact that oil remains a key source of energy. However, over the last few years, the price of oil has increased significantly. In early 2018, the price of oil rose to $70 per barrel. ( “ Oil Prices Rise ”, 2018). This price increase was the result of the decision by major oil suppliers to cut oil production. The increase in the price of crude oil can be credited with the accelerated development of sustainable energy. Such energy sources as coal and oil have proven too volatile to be relied on to power the future of mankind. As mankind enters the future, the trend of price volatility being witnessed today is likely to continue. If this happens, the world should expect a dramatic increase in the development of sustainable energy. It is clear that mankind is exploring energy sources that are both affordable and sustainable. 

Significant Investments 

The discussion this far reveals that the world is committed to developing sustainable energy. There are various countries that are leading the effort to avert the crisis that could occur if mankind continues to rely on such unsustainable energy sources as coal and oil. China is among these countries. In an article that featured on the online edition of the Financial Times, Tobias Buck and Lucy Hornby identify China as one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. Despite joining other countries in committing to reduce emissions, China recorded disappointingly high emission in 2017. An examination of the measures that China has instituted reveals that this country is dedicated to saving mankind. In late 2017, China announced an ambitious plan that would involve the construction of a solar power project. Costing 1 billion yuan, the project aims to provide power while tackling climate change. The solar project “ features panels fixed to floats on the surface of a lake that formed after a mine collapsed” ( “ China to Build”, 2017). The actions that China is taking are encouraging and suggest that the country wishes to support the gains made in the effort against climate change. The rest of the world should look to China for inspiration and invest in similar projects. 

The solar power project discussed above is not the only program that China has developed in its efforts to combat climate change. China has also invested in wind energy projects. Through such firms as China Three Gorges and Goldwind, China has committed huge amounts to projects that have enabled it to replace the US as the world leader in renewable energy (Davidson, 2018). China has also made policy changes as part of its efforts to honor the Paris Climate Accord. The country’s policies seek to ensure that by 2030, sustainable energy will make up 20% of its energy consumption (Davidson, 2018). These policies are clear indication that China wishes to secure the future of mankind. Another initiative that China has developed involves “ securing energy commodity supplies such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, allowing them to dominate manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicles” (Davidson, 2018). To understand the seriousness with which China approaches sustainable energy, it is necessary to consider some of China’s flagship projects. These projects include the Longtan Power Station, the Solar Road, the Donghai Bridge Wind Farm, the Three Gorges Dam, the Panda Power Plant and the electric bus program in Shenzen (Frangoul, 2018). China serves as inspiration to other nations which also wish to invest in renewable energy. That China will maintain its current position as the global leader in sustainable energy is not in question. 

Developed nations are responsible for a bulk of carbon emissions. This means that these nations have a pressing obligation to invest in sustainable energy. It is encouraging that many developing nations are assuming the responsibility of protecting mankind from doom. Kenya is one of the developing countries that have demonstrated a commitment to developing sustainable energy. Thanks to financial assistance from the World Bank, Kenya has invested in solar energy. It is expected that this project will provide 1.3 million of the country’s citizens with clean and affordable energy ( “ World Bank Approves”, 2017). Kenya is not the only developing country that is making contributions to sustainable energy. India is also investing in sustainable energy solutions. The conversion of waste to energy is one of the programs that the country has developed (Hsu et al., 2017). As a consequence of this program, India has managed to keep the environment clean while producing clean energy. Kenya and India serve as evidence that the developing world is fully behind efforts to redeem mankind and secure a future for the world. 

The Role of Technology 

Innovative technologies have played a critical role in promoting investment in sustainable energy (Omer, 2008). There are particular technologies that facilitate the efficient production and utilization of energy. Akhtar Hussain and his colleagues examine these technologies in their article. The technologies include concentrated solar photovoltaics, cellulosic ethanol and artificial photosynthesis (Hussain, Arif, & Aslam, 2017). Hussain and his team predict that as the world recognizes the tremendous benefits that these technologies present, the technologies will witness accelerated adoption. Solar panels that function more efficiently are another technology that is facilitating sustainable energy. Tesla is one of the firms that are dedicating incredible effort to the creation of new energy technologies. For example, this company has created batteries that allow for the efficient storage of energy. Today, research is being conducted with the goal of identifying materials which will allow mankind to have a future of clean and efficient energy (Chu, Cui & Liu, 2017). 

From the discussion above, it is evident that technology has directly encouraged the development of sustainable energy. Technology (the lack thereof) has also forced mankind to abandon inefficient energy sources such as coal. The mining of coal is a complex process that requires sophisticated equipment and technology. It is particularly difficult to obtain coal that is buried at great depths. Currently, there are no technologies that can be used to extract such coal. Instead of developing these technologies, mankind has seen it wiser to invest in sustainable energy. In addition to requiring simpler technology to produce, sustainable energy is without the many drawbacks of such energy sources as coal. Another issue that has convinced mankind to move towards sustainable energy is the fact that coal mining is not efficient. Huge amounts of energy are expended during the mining process ( Fang, Wu, & Zeng, 2009 ). Basically, a cost-benefit analysis reveals that mining coal is too costly and the benefits do not justify the huge costs incurred. 

Food Security 

Famine and starvation are some of the major challenges that confront the world today. Developing nations bear the brunt of these challenges. According to World Vision, as many as 20% of households in East Africa grapple with hunger (Huber, 2018). The world needs to come together and respond to the plight of the hungry and the starving. Sustainable energy is among the tools that the world can use to boost food security and tackle famine. Greenhouse gas emissions are to blame for the adverse weather conditions which set the stage for famine and hunger. Since it lowers these emissions, sustainable energy is effective in lowering the threat of hunger and famine (Ahuja & Tatsutani, 2009). As the world revamps its efforts in tackling hunger and famine, it is likely that investments in sustainable energy will increase as well. 

Conclusion 

Climate change has caused devastation. It has prompted mankind to take action. Investment in sustainable energy is one of the measures that nations are taking to tackle climate change. Technologies that facilitate the development of clean and efficient energy have also driven sustainable energy. The damaging impacts of such energy sources as coal and petroleum have also inspired the world to embrace sustainable energy. Such nations as China have been remarkable in their adoption of sustainable energy. This country is moving away from coal and embracing such sustainable options as solar energy. The developing world has also joined the effort to promote sustainable energy. The future of sustainable energy is indeed bright. Going into the future, it can be expected that more countries will adopt sustainable energy. There is need for such major polluters and users of inefficient energy as the US to play a leading role. The future of mankind can only be guaranteed through concerned and a unified effort involving all countries. 

References 

Ahuja, D., & Tatsutani, M. (2009). Sustainable Energy for Developing Countries. SAPIENS, 2 (1). Retrieved March 25, 2018 from http://journals.openedition.org/sapiens/823 

Brown, M. H. (2007). Canadian Renewable Energy Policies. Retrieved March 24, 2018 From http://www.harcourtbrown.com/canadian-renewable-energy-policies/ 

Chu, S., Cui, Y., & Liu, N. (2017). The Path Towards Sustainable Energy. Nature Materials, 16, 16-22. 

Elum, Z. A., & Momodu, A. S. (2017). Climate Change Mitigation and Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Discourse Approach. Renewable And Sustainable Energy Reviews, 76 , 72-80. 

China to Build World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant in Major Commitment to Renewable Energy. (2017). Retrieved March 25, 2018 from 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-floating-solar-power-plant-renewable-power-green-energy-three-gorges-sustainability-a8102951.html 

Cotton, W. R., & Pielke, R. A. (2007). Human Impacts on Weather and Climate. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. 

Davidson, H. (2018). China on Track to Lead in Renewable as US Retreats, Report Says. Retrieved March 25, 2018 from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/10/china-on-track-to-lead-in-renewables-as-us-retreats-report-says 

Fang, H., Wu, J., & Zeng, C. (2009). Comparative Study on Efficiency Performance of Listed Coal Mining Companies in China and the US. Energy Policy, 37 (12), 5140-8. 

Frangoul, A. (2018). Here are Six of China’s Ambitious, Mind-boggling, Renewable Energy Projects. Retrieved March 25, 2018 from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/22/here-are-six-of-chinas-ambitious-mind-boggling-renewable-energy-projects.html 

Hsu, A., Rosengarten, C., Weinfurter, A., Xie, Y., Musolino, E., & Murdock, E. (2017). Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries: Contributions to Reducing Global Emissions. Retrieved March 25, 2018 from http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22149/1_Gigaton_Third%20Report_EN.pdf?sequence=1 

Huber, C. (2018). East Africa Hunger, Famine: Facts, FAQs and how to Help. Retrieved March 25, 2018 from https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/east-africa-hunger-famine-facts 

Hussain, A., Arif, S. M., & Aslam, M. (2017). Emerging Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies: State of the Art. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 71, 12-28. 

Inman, M. (2010). Mining the Truth on Coal Supplies. Retrieved March 24, 2018 from https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100908-energy-peak-coal/ 

Kavouridis, K., & Koukouzas, N. (2008). Coal and Sustainable Energy Supply Challenges and Barriers. Energy Policy, 36 (2). 

Koukouzas, R., & Hansen, E. (2009). The Decline of Central Appalachian Coal and the Need For Economic Diversification. Retrieved March 24, 2018 from https://www.motherjones.com/files/DownstreamStrategies-DeclineOfCentralAppalachianCoal-FINAL-1-19-10.pdf 

Krauss, C. (2016). Coal Production Plummets to Lowest Level in 35 Years. Retrieved March 24, 2018 from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/11/business/energy-environment/coal-production-decline.html 

Mack, E. (2016). How Tesla and Elon Musk ‘Gigafactories’ could save the World. Retrieved March 24, 2018 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2016/10/30/how-tesla-and-elon-musk-could-save-the-world-with-gigafactories/#38862b5b2de8 

NRDC Report: Replacing Coal with Renewables and Energy Efficiency can Lead U.S. to Cleaner Energy Future. Retrieved March 24, 2018 from 

https://www.nrdc.org/media/2017/170302-0 

Oil and Petroleum Products- A Statistical Overview. (2017). Retrieved March 25, 2018 from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Oil_and_petroleum_products_-_a_statistical_overview 

Oil Prices Rise to Hit Four-Year High of $70 a Barrel. (2018). Retrieved March 25, 2018 from http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42653988 

Omer , A. M. (2008). Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12 (9), 2265-2300. 

Prehoda, E. W., & Pearce, J. M. (2017). Potential Lives Saved by Replacing Coal with Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Production in the U.S. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 80, 710-715. 

Tester, J. W., Drake, E. M.., Driscoll, M. J., Golay, M. W., & Peters, W. A. (2012). Cambridge, MA: Sustainable Energy: Choosing among Options. MIT Press. 

World Bank Approves $150 Million for Kenya to Provide Solar Energy in Underserved Northeastern Counties. (2017). Retrieved March 25, 2018 from http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/07/26/world-bank-approves-150-million-for-kenya-to-provide-solar-energy-in-underserved-northeastern-counties