global perspectives

individual report

topic: Question;
sustainable living How important are renewable energy
sources for sustainable living?
 CONTENTS PAGE

introduction: 1

the issue: 2

perspectives: 3

future scenarios and solutions: 4

personal response: 5

conclusion: 6
how important are renewable energy sources for sustainable living

Introduction/rationale

The inspiration for this topic was a presentation made by a classmate during a science lesson
at overseas family school also helped. The presentation consisted of eye opening statistics
about the energy efficiency of a hydroelectric power plant (95%), shown in comparison with
that of a coal fired plant (45%) (1). Several such examples were shared in the presentation, in
order to explain the advantages of various different renewable energy sources. The
connection to sustainability was made while working on a project on the 17 sustainable
development goals set by the United Nations, goal number 7, is affordable and clean
energy(2). Since coal is generally seen as a cheaper resource, due to availability and easier
infrastructure, it has been preferred over renewable energy, however, this report will explain
how renewable energy can be cost efficient and preferable over fossil fuels. Furthermore, this
report will determine and justify the importance of renewable energy sources for global
sustainable development and explain present and future solutions from a local, national and
global perspective. The overall argument to this question is that renewable energy resources
are essential for sustainable living, since with appropriate infrastructure and maintenance a
power plant using a renewable energy source is cost and energy efficient, allowing profits to
‘negate’ the initial expenses, providing clean and affordable energy
The issue

The Issue is overuse of fossil fuels to generate energy. The use of non-renewable sources to
generate electricity leads to several problems, holding back sustainable development through
the complications such as:

Processes of extracting fossil fuels are not only environmentally harmful, but are life
threatening for miners. For example, Many coal miners are injured, sometimes fatally,
according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, fatalities at underground coal mine
sites in the United States reached 77 between 2010 and 2013(8). According to the ‘union of
concerned scientists’, Abandoned mines are also a threat, water that flows through, would
become acidic and and rich in heavy metals, making it detrimental to life forms. This causes
contamination of water supply, preventing access to clean water for all. Furthermore, drilling
leads to disturbances in nearby structures and population, for example, “one study found an
82 percent decline in the population of Powder River Basin sage grouse between 2001 and
2005, which was directly linked to the area’s coal bed methane production”(13). This goes to
show just the attainment of fossil fuels creates several problems and damages to not only the
environment, but also human lives and health. These are just the problems inflicted while
extracting these resources, their usage lead to several more implications that prevent
sustainable development. For example, the ‘Union Of Concerned Scientists’ also states that
78% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in USA 2014 were caused by the combustion of
coal for energy, whereas, gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources were responsible
for less than 1%(3). Since non renewable energy sources have a significant economic
advantage over most renewable energy sources, it has been preferred for profits by
businesses. However, the toll it has on the environment suggests a serious threat. These
greenhouse gases contribute to the infamous problem of climate change.
Perspectives:

Global Perspective - China

According to the new york times, burning of coal is responsible for 40%of the lethal PM 2.5
in China’s atmosphere, leading to 366,000 premature deaths in 2013(9). This goes to show
how coal fired plants directly endanger the lives of citizens. According to the Guardian, this
lethal particulate matter can penetrate through lungs and enter the blood stream (13). This
leaves the population vulnerable to lethal matter in the air that they breathe.

Local/National Perspective - India

According to ‘The Hindu’, coal is the primary source of electricity in india, 81% of the power
in India is generated using coal. Furthermore, the NCBI states that, “The problems associated
with the use of coal are low calorific value and very high ash content”. They explain that the
ash content is between 50% to 60% and bring attention to the fact that coal needs to be
transported. Transport requires more fuel that “is a big drain on India's hard currency”. In
addition, the fly ash released, contains mercury (17), infecting nearby population with
respiratory diseases that they cannot afford to cure.
Future scenarios and solutions:

According to ‘electrocity’ : “It's often claimed that we have enough coal to last hundreds of
years. But if we step up production to fill the gap left through depleting our oil and gas
reserves, the coal deposits we know about will run out in 2088.” (5). Furthermore, As
conclusion to research performed by NASA, The constant loss of of ice in the arctic ocean is
likely to complete by mid-century, leaving no more ice to melt, rising sea levels are expected
to continue and reach 1-4 feet by 2100. Moreover, natural disasters like hurricanes, droughts,
heat waves and forest fires will become more frequent and intense. (6). According to the
national geographic, “Radioactive waste can be extremely toxic, causing burns and increasing
the risk for cancers, blood diseases, and bone decay among people who are exposed to it.”
furthermore, the website explains that the combustion of coal for energy releases harmful
toxins in the air, threatening our health(7). These are all consequences that we will face if
fossil fuels are continued to be excessively used for electricity.

Clean coal is being recognised as one of the possible strategies to prevent negative impacts of
coal energy. According to the ‘World Nuclear Association’, clean coal technologies prevent
greenhouse gas emissions. They hope to achieve this a CCUS (Carbon Capture, Use and
Storage). The same article talks about HELE (High Efficiency Low Emission) plants(10).
According to the world coal association, “Moving the current average global efficiency rate
of coal-fired power plants from 33% to 40% could reduce global CO2 emissions by 2
gigatons, this amount is equivalent to India’s annual CO2 emissions, in addition, high
efficiency adds economic benefit, making it affordable(16). CCUS does allow coal to be used
as an efficient source with less of an environmental impact, since it produces energy will less
greenhouse gas emissions. However, is does not reach economic criteria. The ‘Research
Coordinate Network’ explains that this process requires a specific sorbent, this materials is
very costly and increases electricity prices(15). Furthermore, CCUS is not affordable and
does not meet the criteria to be specified as ‘sustainable’. In addition, these still require the
extraction of coal, which leave severely detrimental impacts on the environment (as described
earlier).

On the other hand, renewable energy is an efficient solution, the industry even contributes to
employment. Jobs in renewables excluding large hydropower increased by 2.8%, to reach 8.3
million in 2016 (11). Hydropower has its own benefits, the annual electricity produced by
hydropower plants is equivalent to burning 22 billion gallons of oil or 120 million tons of
coal(19). China is hope to the largest hydropower dam in the world, the Three Gorges Dam.
The power generated by the power plant is equivalent to burning 25 million tons of crude oil
or 50 million tons of coal. The dam is estimated to cost $30 billion and is expected to only
take about 10 years to fully recover the costs, leading to profits and affordable energy. On the
contrary, the construction of this behemoth submerged over 100 towns and settlements. In
addition, over 1,000 archaeological and historic sites were also submerged and lost(18).

Personal response:

Based on the research I performed for this report, I have more clarity understanding why
renewable energy is not the primary source of power. Before starting the research process, i
was aware of basic disadvantages, such as, vulnerability to climate and infrastructural cost
the repels businesses. After the process, I now know of the unrest causes for nearby
populations and the risk it hold if a plant malfunctions. For example, Although the three
gorges dam can withstand a large earthquake, if it does collapse, about 360 million people
that live within the watershed of the Yangtze River would be in danger. Besides this, I have
become aware of the massive portion of global energy that is generated by coal fired plants,
and how dependant we are on them. This has changed my personal perspective since I no
longer believe that fossil fuel energy should be completely removed, I suggest that renewable
energy and fossil fuels need to co-exist, since, fossils fuels provide instant profits, are
evidently preferable by businesses and produce affordable electricity. Clean coal technology
should also be used, however, with appropriate measures to control wastes from coal(10).
Renewable energy is essential to maintain greenhouse gas emissions, this technology needs to
be carefully planned out to avoid vulnerability to climate conditions and to recover
investments within a short span of time.

Conclusion:

to summarise my report, coal fired power plants are essential for global energy,, due to its
accessibility, reliability and efficiency, however, it is not sustainable. this is because of the
severe environmental impact. on the other hand, renewable energy is not always reliable,
efficient, however, if planned properly, it can recover investments within a few years, resist
most climatic threats, and provide clean energy. However, the world cannot rely solely on
either of these, the two need to coexist in balance, for affordable, clean and safe energy,
therefore, renewable energy is essential for sustainable development, and so is fossil fuel
energy, but we need both
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