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COMM 1312: Writing and Research.
Section 101, Fall 2012\2013
Dr. Ali Alghazo
Body Final Draft
Conclusion Final Draft
Name: Mohammed AL-Sarhani
ID: 201000195
Role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change:
The energy crisis has taken the world interest, and shaken up most of the industrialized
economies, in particular, who are excessively dependent on oil imports. However on the other
hand, this turn of events has led to the increasing significance of renewable energy. The present
energy sources are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Almost 80 per cent of the world’s total
consumption is attributed to oil and gas (Hodel & Deitz, 1994; World Development Report,
2010; Lane, 2006), which indicates the excessive reliance on fossil fuels. From the materials
used for construction of houses to the fuel used in automobiles, almost all aspects of human
activities can be traced back to some or the other form of oil and gas. Below is a chart of a
survey which been distributed among oil field and power plant employees and two third
believe that the world will start to run out of oil by 2020
80.00%
66.66%
60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
16.66%
16.66%
0.00%
2012-2020
2021-2030
Never
According to research, fossil fuel combustion is one of the major sources of CO2
emissions leading to environmental pollution, which result in triggering of global warming
(IPCC, 2005; Letcher, 2008; Dawson & Spannagle, 2009). Furthermore, according to a report
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the CO2 emission is increasing at a
rapid rate and has passed the level recorded at the dawn of the industrial revolution (IPCC,
2003). The emissions from production and use of energy has accelerated the greenhouse effect
and significantly altered the natural environment, so negatively affecting the climate (Miller &
Spoolman, 2008; Santos, 2011).
These disadvantages can be solved by increasing reliance on renewable sources of energy.
There is vast evidence supporting the various benefits of renewable energy particularly those
related to mitigating climate change. The use of renewable energy is known to significantly
reduce Co2 emissions and reduce the carbon footprint. According to Jacobson & Jacobson
(2009) almost all sources of renewable energy which essentially replaces fossil fuel, are
capable of reducing the carbon footprint and control the rate of Co2 emissions. The following
chart shows that many people think that there is a chance to reduce global warming by using
renewable energy
100.00%
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
86.66%
10%
Agree
Neutral
3.34%
Disagree
Furthermore there is evidence which suggest that the use of renewable energy sources such
as bio-fuel which is also known as ‘clean fuel’ is known to be carbon-neutral since the Co2
emitted from the combustion of such fuel is reabsorbed by growing more sugarcane thus
negating the harmful gases emitted, to almost nil (Rosa & Ribeiro, 1998 qtd. in Pimentel, 2008).
Sugarcane ethanol is known to significantly reduce Co2 emissions (Metz, 2008) and hence
contribute to mitigating the damage caused by excessive emissions, ultimately reducing the
carbon footprint successfully and effectively. The mitigating impact of sugarcane ethanol has
been successfully established by the use of this renewable source of energy in Brazil where the
energy balance was restored (Metz, 2008).
Studies concerning the use of bio-mass in Africa; the use of hydropower projects and use
of wastes in generating alternative sources of energy in Brazil; and the use of coal-fired power
generation projects in South Africa have reaffirmed the key role played by renewable energy in
reducing carbon footprint and mitigating climate change (Edenhofer, Pichs-Madruga, and
Sokona, 2011). The use of renewable energy sources hence is one of the most viable
alternatives to fossil fuels owing to the large amount of benefits provided by it, particularly
with regard to restoring the damage caused to the environment and controlling climate change
to a considerable extent.
Economic impact and implications:
Industrialized countries which rely heavily on oil and gas as major sources of energy for
production as well as for enhancing economic development are largely responsible for
controlling the energy flows and hence are often referred to as ‘high-energy civilizations
(Krausman, Schandl, and Sieferle, 2008; Smil, 2000). The energy use of countries is directly
related to their economic growth. Hence the drastic rise in use of energy particularly oil and
gas, by the industrialized nations and lately developing countries is an obstacle to improve and
accelerate their economic development (Ang, 2007; Lee and Chang, 2008).
However, the increased concerns regarding the negative impact of fossil fuels on the
environment, along with various other factors have led various countries across the globe to
shift their focus to renewable sources of energy. The use of renewable energy is known to
generate economic benefits for the countries. Research suggests that the market for renewable
energy sources has increased significantly over the years (Schafer, 2005; European Renewable
Energy Council, 2004; Solomon & Luzadis, 2009) with countries relying on such energy
sources being the market leaders for initiating change. Countries generating and relying on
renewable energy have now become market leaders. This success of such countries can be
attributed to the fact that oil prices are constantly on the rise and the world is gripped in
economic instability. Hence companies relying on renewable sources of energy are benefiting
from the trade.
According to the European Renewable Energy Council (2004) the market for renewable
energy is likely to increase significantly in the coming years, and the investments in clean and
renewable sources of energy also is expected to increase. Many countries are now seen eagerly
joining the green energy sector in a bid to capitalize on the increasing market for renewable
energy and generate economic gains, in the process. The sheer size and growth potential for the
market for renewable energy and the willingness on the part of various companies to invest in
the development of such alternative sources of energy is likely to result in a huge multiplier
effect on the economy. This chart supports that using renewable energy would enhance the
country economic
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Yes
No
I don't Know
Contribution of renewable energy in employment generation and innovation:
The increasing popularity of renewable energy across diverse industry sectors indicates
opportunities for innovation and development of energy markets which will result in creation
of employment opportunities in the process. This is primarily because the development of
innovative means of energy sources requires hiring of highly skilled human resources
(Bhattacharya, 2011). The greatest benefits of renewable energy can be accrued by developing
countries which are most likely to benefit economically from the trade, since the renewable
sources of energy are more or less, uniformly distributed across different geographic sectors.
Thus investing in projects aimed at developing alternative sources of energy or relying on
renewable energy can prove to be highly economical (Markandya & Halsnaes, 2002).
Renewable energies are known to contribute generously in creating new employment
opportunities, new industries, and new wealth in both industrialized as well as developing
countries, although it is particularly known to contribute majorly towards the development of
rural areas (Smith & Taylor, 2008). According to a study conducted by UNEP (2008)
renewable energy is said to have contributed as many as 2.3 million jobs have been generated
worldwide due to renewable energy. Similar reports were made by the German Environment
Ministry claiming significant employment generation post investment in renewable energy
sources. Similar trend was observed with regard to developing countries, such as India, Nepal,
Africa, and Brazil where the investment in renewable energy sources resulted in increase in
employment (Cherian, 2009; Goldemberg et al., 2008; Walter et al., 2011). In addition, the
following charts shows experts opinion about new employment opportunity by using
renewable energy
70.00%
66.66%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
23.34%
20.00%
10%
10.00%
0.00%
yes
No
I don't know
These examples indicate the immense potential of renewable energy in contributing to the
economic development of countries. According to GreenPeace the global drive to go green is
likely to generate positive economic benefits to countries across the global, particularly those
participating in investing in development of renewable energy sources. This new trend is
expected to create over 2 million jobs by the year 2020 particularly in the low-carbon
transportation sector since the demand for bio-fuels is likely to increase considering the oil
reserves are drying up (Kammen, 2008).
Political implications:
It has been effectively established through research that the oil reserves are fast depleting
and we are now at the end of the fossil fuel era. It is hence imperative for countries to shift
towards renewable sources of energy to retain their economic stability. There are contradictory
reports in the literature pointing each negating and affirming the possibility of generating oil
through sophisticated technology (Greene, Hopson, and Li., 2006; Campbell & Laherrère,
1998; Kruyt et al., 2009). However if the overwhelming evidences made available by way of
research indicating the depletion of oil reserves are to be believed, it is highly apparent that
energy imports are likely to dwindle in the near future, resulting in a dramatic change in power
relations among the politicians.
Studies indicate that as opposed to fossil fuel the renewable sources of energy are
distributed uniformly across the globe, regardless of the geographical makeup of countries
(Edenhofer, Pichs-Madruga, Sokona, 2011). Thus, the reliance on renewable energy sources
would help countries to control and effectively manage the price volatility caused by oil
imports, and improve their balance of trade in the process (Grubb, Butler, and Twomey, 2006).
This change in the import and export structure is likely to result in a significant change in the
power relations between the nations and trigger energy security concerns in the long-run
(Awerbuch, 2006; Bazilian & Roques, 2008).
Benefits of renewable energy: Examples
The world is now preparing for an “oil-less” era which is likely to result in drastic
economic and political imbalances. According to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences the
rapid exhaustion of fossil fuel is a cause of serious concern and it is highly likely that the
shortage of oil would result in a global economic recession triggered off by exorbitantly high
oil prices. In anticipation of the impending crisis, the Swedish government has decided to
respond with an active plan to invest heavily in development and deployment of renewable
energy sources (The Guardian, 2006).
During the 1970’s Sweden was hit badly by the oil crisis. Oil accounted for almost 75 per
cent of the country’s energy supply. However with consistent efforts the figure was reduced to
32 per cent by the year 2009. Sweden consumes significantly high amount of electricity
amounting to almost 16,000 kWh per head annually. However compared to other countries
with similar consumption patterns, the carbon emissions of the country is significantly lower.
This is mainly attributed to the use of hydropower and bio-fuels in generating energy
(Sweden.se, 2012). This move has helped the country in grabbing the top position among the
green economies, giving it an economic and political power.
Conclusion:
Evidence suggests that we are on the end of oil era and the only means for survival is through
investing heavily on the renewable energy sources. The benefits of alternative sources of
energy are a lot and if it is been used appropriately, it is likely to generate positive economic
opportunities. High amount of carbon emissions due to use of oil and gas, has accelerated the
problem of global warming. As governments from across diverse countries still dealing with
the dwindling energy sources and the environmental issues there is an increased possibility to
include investment in renewable energy at the heart of key policy and decision making
processes. The fact that renewable energy sources not only help countries in reducing their
carbon footprint but also help in generating employment opportunities indicates the large scale
benefits happened by alternative energy sources.
Concerns regarding the climate and oil prices will increase in the near future. It is hence a
mandatory for countries to capitalize on the growing trend of investing in renewable energy
and use the opportunities available to them to their advantage.