Striking a Balance In Renewable Energy

Published on 05/19/22

The ever-increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions and their destructive consequences are a pressing global concern. In 2021, our planet witnessed the release of a staggering 36.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, marking a six percent increase from the previous year. The ramifications of this surge are profound and wide-ranging, encompassing tropical storms, wildfires, rising sea levels, and droughts - all interconnected outcomes of the overarching issue: climate change. Recognizing the urgency of this global challenge, the United Nations, and other international organizations have set an ambitious target to achieve "net zero emissions by 2050." To work towards this goal, governments worldwide are actively promoting the transition to green energy, encouraging businesses to invest in renewable energy sources, and providing subsidies for clean energy innovations. Yet, a significant controversy looms over the horizon: the transition to renewable energy sources is, for the most part, the prerogative of developed countries with advanced technology and substantial financial resources, leaving poorer nations grappling with the immediate, and often irreversible, impacts of climate change. While the focus of global efforts remains fixed on investments in renewable energy, the pressing need to adapt and protect against the current consequences of climate change remains grossly overlooked.

The Renewable Energy Paradox

It's undeniable that the renewable energy sector is growing at an unprecedented pace. Projections from McKinsey suggest that renewables will provide 60 percent of the world's electricity supply by 2035. The World Economic Forum adds to this optimism, predicting that "the transition to clean energy is expected to generate 10.3 million net new jobs globally by 2030, offsetting the 2.7 million jobs lost in the fossil fuel sector." The future of renewable energy seems bright, but beneath the surface, formidable challenges persist.

As illustrated in the global energy consumption chart over the last 25 years, two significant trends emerge. Renewables are indeed growing at a remarkable rate, outpacing other energy sources. However, the percentage of energy provided by renewables is not increasing at the same pace. The paradox lies in the fact that the growth of renewables is significantly outpaced by the global increase in energy consumption. As a result, the actual reduction in fossil fuel usage, and consequently CO2 emissions, is insufficient to combat climate change effectively. Coal, oil, and natural gas continue to contribute more to the absolute growth in global energy consumption than renewables, delaying any meaningful reduction in the effects of climate change for decades. In essence, more time is required to achieve net-zero emissions solely through renewable energy sources.

While increased investment in renewable energy innovation holds the promise of a greener future, it does not provide immediate relief to those suffering from the direct impacts of climate change. To minimize the human toll of climate change, it is imperative to shift the focus towards adaptation to the current reality. Governments and international organizations must strike a balance, allocating resources to both long-term green energy strategies and immediate relief measures. Priority should be given to protecting and assisting those in the midst of climate-related disasters, rather than solely concentrating on future goals.

The Neglected Suffering

Climate change has inflicted severe and often subtle consequences on nations around the world. Developed countries like the United States, Germany, and Japan have established robust infrastructure to withstand and mitigate the effects of climate change. In stark contrast, the victims of climate change in vulnerable, poorer nations face a grimmer reality. Over the past three decades, the number of people living in areas at high risk of rising sea levels has surged from 160 million to 260 million, with a staggering 90 percent of these individuals residing in developing countries and small island states. The impacts of climate change are particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where the majority of the global poor live. Due to their greater reliance on subpar infrastructure, dependence on agriculture for income, and ownership of easily damaged assets, these impoverished communities are extremely vulnerable to climate-induced natural disasters. An infrastructure deficit in Africa, where 69 percent of the region lacks access to electricity, further exacerbates the issue. This lack of connectivity leaves one billion people unable to receive alert messages before natural disasters, seek help during crises, and ultimately renders them homeless and desperate.

In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa experienced 429 natural disasters, resulting in over a thousand deaths due to inadequate disaster-resilient infrastructure. A McKinsey report revealed a paradox in African infrastructure: there are ample funds available, but feasibility, delays in approval, and licensing hinder progress. To address this predicament, substantial investment in renewable energy must be accompanied by the commitment of human resources and expertise to ensure that available funding materializes into practical, life-saving projects.

Finding a Resolution

While investments in renewable energy are essential for long-term climate mitigation, they offer little respite to the millions suffering from the direct impacts of climate change today. In tackling climate change, it is imperative that we address not only mitigation but also adaptation, particularly in terms of infrastructure development. Developing nations require global support, not just in financial terms but also through the provision of human resources and expertise to enhance their infrastructure. Without such comprehensive efforts, global climate initiatives, agreements, and protests may provide relief to the victims of the future while leaving those presently suffering without recourse. It is a delicate balance that the world must strive to strike: working towards a greener future while ensuring that those suffering now do not remain stranded and helpless.

References

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. "Climate Refugees: The World’s Forgotten Victims." UNFCCC Climate Champions, https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/climate-refugees-the-worlds-forgotten-victims/.

McKinsey & Company. "Solving Africa’s Infrastructure Paradox." McKinsey & Company, https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/solving-africas-infrastructure-paradox.

Natural Resources Defense Council. "Bangladesh: A Country Underwater, a Culture on the Move." NRDC, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/bangladesh-country-underwater-culture-move.

World Economic Forum. "The Clean Energy Employment Shift by 2030." World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/the-clean-energy-employment-shift-by-2030/.