As the modern civilization grows in population, the demand for energy also increases. We need more energy to provide electricity for our homes and appliances. We need more energy to sustain the growing demand of different products and services. In other words, additional energy is needed for the modern civilization to keep its progress.
However, the sources for energy production are fast depleting. Fossil fuels such as coal reserves and natural gas deposits are starting to run out due to the increasing demand rate. More automobiles and other means of transportation are produced, many buildings and other structures are erected, and many industries are starting to modernize their operation.
In addition, the aforementioned development causes major changes in our environment. Take for instance the massive production of Freon gas which is one genre of coolant in our refrigerators and freezers. Researches found out that Freon gas actually has an adverse effect on the earth’s atmosphere, particularly in its ozone layer.
Even the usage of non-renewable sources of energy is also blamed for extremely hot or extremely cold weather also known as global warming. Burning coals (which is made of carbon) and different fuels produce greenhouse gases that further contribute to the global warming we are presently experiencing.
Many environmental advocates are starting to make some serious campaign to fight global warming. They endorsed that households, communities, and industries make use of renewable sources of energy to generate electricity. Aside from it is abundant in our environment, it is pollution-free. There are no greenhouse gases that are emitted in usage of such alternative energy sources.
They also appeal to the United Nations to draft a convention that will help conserve the Earth’s atmosphere and prevent drastic changes in our climate. In response to this clamors not only by this advocates but also by most people around the world, United Nations approved the Climate Change Convention of 1992. Of what it is and the renewable energy’s participation in such convention will be discussed in the preceding sections of this article.
What is Climate Change Convention?
It is a United Nation’s resolution to stabilize greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere at a certain level that would prevent drastic changes to the climate. It was unanimously agreed and ratified by 186 member-countries at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992.
A protocol was drafted in Kyoto in 1997 to start implementing what is agreed in the Climate Change Convention. Its most important phase is the legally binding commitments for 39 developed member-countries (which includes the United States) to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 5.2 percent. The protocol allows them to reach their emission target in different ways. One of these ways is the utilization of renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency.
Role of Renewable Energy in the Convention
As we all know, renewable energy refers to energy with low impact on the environment. It includes wind, solar, water, and biomass energy. The Convention encourages member-countries of UN to patronize the usage and development of these energies through their respective Department of Energy (DOE). Electricity and tax rebates in using renewable energy are some ways of encouraging everybody to use such kind of energy.
It also encourages competitive energy markets to strengthen energy investment which can be helpful in funding studies and development of these renewable energies. Currently, solar energy as a fuel for transportation and industry is still undergoing. Biomass fuels are also considered to be a good replacement for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) once its development are already in place.
The Climate Change Convention is just a way to promote healthy atmosphere and at the same time renewable energy resources. It is time that we must act now or suffer the adverse consequences later on.
The international community is now alarmed by the events facing the global energy. Researches show that fossil fuel reserves are starting to run out and possibly unable to supply the necessary energy that we need if the population growth continues to increase at a fast rate. Environmental advocates shows evidences that combustion of several fossil fuels such as coal and oil produces harmful emissions that causes adverse atmospheric and climatic effects.
In addition, both economic and political rifts in the energy market are affecting the volatile prices of finished oil products in the market. If the rift continues, it can result in much higher electricity and basic commodities cost which the end-users will be mostly affected. That is why the international community through its respective energy representatives and specialists are tasked to outline the plan for the enhancement and use of renewable energy resources.
Renewable energy resources are seen by many as one of the long-term solutions to the energy problems we are facing today. Composed mainly of the resources which are abundantly available in the environment such as the sunlight, wind, water, geothermal, and others, these energy resources can be tapped as a perfect alternative to the increasing electricity costs. Presently, different countries are now starting to use renewable resources for their energy needs.
In order to spread out the word to all parts of the world, different international conferences that concentrate on global energy issues are conducted by the international community. Said conferences are attended by the host country’s Department or Ministry of Energy, different governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Matters such as energy-related issues and policies with regards to renewable energy sources are discussed.
One particular conference that centers on renewable energy is the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific on Renewable Energy which is held on Bangkok. It is hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Energy with support from the government of Germany, different NGOs, and energy investors around the Asia-Pacific as well as American and European-based.
There are certain recommendations and issues raised during the said conference with regards to renewable energy usage. These are briefly stated in the preceding items.
1. Conference participants raised the issue of incorporating renewable energy in sensitive issues like poverty alleviation, public health, and environmental protection. These must be seen as a significant act of achieving sustainable development and therefore must be taken seriously.
2. The endorsement of renewable energy resources must be integrated with other developmental issues like water resources management, pollution control, and agricultural development. Participations of concerned sectors are very important.
3. Different governments must address different problems and inefficiencies of existing energy policy. It is also encourage that the legislature take part on the enhancement of renewable energy by passing different bills with clear policies and regulations.
4. All sectors of our society must actively participate in patronizing renewable energy. It should not be the sole responsibility of the government or different investors and industries. All sectors have their own roles and responsibilities when it comes in renewable energy development.
5. All efforts for the development of renewable energy resources must be supported by all stakeholders with sufficient financial capabilities. These must be one of the top priorities in order to decrease our dependence on fossil fuel reserves.
Renewable energy conferences are in a way helpful in developing new energy resources that can be a long-term solution to energy problems that we are facing right now.
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