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Berglind Asgeirsdottir (OECD).
The current energy model has driven an unprecedented rate of world economic development while causing in less than 100 years notable environmental and climatic changes on a planetary scale. Sustainability and energy efficiency, neither of which can be associated with the current model, are nonetheless essential given the current patterns of consumption, world population growth, the deterioration of the environment and excessive dependence on fossil fuels.
Asgeirsdottir noted that "our current energy model must change and evolve... There may be no one solution for making energy model and environment compatible, but we must make the effort.” While it remains important to invest in future technologies, it is also fundamental to generate changes in energy production, use, transport and storage; today an energy model that depends on fossil fuels as its primary source is unsustainable; we must advance research to the point where we can ensure the scientific and technological viability of new energy sources; and finally we must create the necessary incentives for industry to take action in this regard.
Bernard Laponche, Energy consultant
To propose nuclear energy as a solution is to propose no solution at all, since nuclear energy represents only 6% of world energy production today and its costs – infrastructure, risk management and waste disposal – are extremely high. Laponche says that “it is necessary go further in terms of energy efficiency, and the measures we take can be manifold: energy savings, consume less and better, redesign the transport system in order to generate an effective decrease in energy demand.”
Catalan Institute for Energy Efficiency (ICEE).
It is necessary, in each of our countries, to set up institutions concerned with energy efficiency to stop energy wastefulness, above all due to technological shortcomings. “Energy efficiency leads to reduced production costs, but there remains a good deal of inertia with regard to change... thus the institutions involved in energy planning must be responsible and honest with regard to both their estimates and their data.”
Financing is the key to efficiency, and thus is an issue of paramount concern. “The subsidies for fossil fuels have a direct impact on the environment and consumption.”
Juan Ormazábal, Director General, CENER.
90% of the energy consumed today is generated by fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy accounts for 2.5% of world energy production.
“Of the 2.0% projected rise in world demand for the period 2000 – 2020, some three-quarters will come from developing countries, who will consume 50% the world’s energy supplies. What actions do we see today?” Ormazábal asks.
It is essential to rethink our current systems of architecture and energy delivery and storage, but we must also make the commitment to new, renewable energy sources and remove the two main obstacles to their development: Unfair competitive conditions in production and continued support for traditional energy (fossil fuel) technologies; these two factors stand in the way of the development of renewable sources and the potentials they hold. “For example, the case of hydrogen, which is proposed as a sustainable solution, but is not yet a viable energy source, because we lack the technology to produce it cleanly and efficiently.”
Finally, we must mention the lack of social awareness regarding the seriousness and importance of these issues for the environment and life in the future. We must change the way we live in order to take full advantage of the resources we have. “Civil society has the responsibility to foster a political agenda, to introduce these in issues in debate; otherwise it will be impossible to advance effectively in these issues.
Issue:
The 20th century was a period of unprecedented growth in human history, but it also brought pollution, overpopulation and overexploitation of our natural resources. The current energy model is 80% dependent on fossil fuels, which creates geopolitical imbalances as well as pollution and, inevitably, climatic change. At current consumption rates, fossil fuels – again, representing 80% of world energy use – will last only 30 to 40 years. Sustainability and energy efficiency are not included in the current model.
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Proposal:
Look for new solutions based on renewable energies. The design of a new energy model that favors energy sustainability and efficiency. Change cultural habits with regard to energy consumption, thus involving civil society in this issue. Revise primarily the least efficient and most energy-dependent architectural and transport systems. Create a global research fund to support research and advances in energy development (Mikhail Gorbachov, president of Green Cross International).
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Stances:
We mustn’t renounce any possible energy source that might help resolve the grave problem of supply that we will be facing within in next forty years. Thus even nuclear energy must be considered, protecting ourselves against the risks and minimizing its impact. (Mikhail Gorbachov, president of Green Cross International) To propose nuclear energy as a solution is to propose no solution at all, since nuclear energy represents only 6% of world energy production today and its costs – infrastructure, risk management and waste disposal – are extremely high. Moreover, today nuclear energy is used only to generate electricity and energy is not the same thing as electricity. (Bernard Laponche, Energy Consultant)
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Best practices:
Germany has committed to new energy sources – wind and solar – which has not only meant benefits in environmental terms but also in other aspects such as job creation, generating 100,000 new jobs. (Bernard Laponche, Energy Consultant)
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Conclusions:
The current energy model is unsustainable if we continue with the same patterns of energy consumption and maintain our dependence on fossil fuels. At our current rate of consumption, within 40 years all the world’s oil reserves will have been depleted. We need more research to develop energy based on new renewable sources. Renewable energies can provide solutions in both developing and developed countries. A new energy model must include energy efficiency, savings and sustainability.
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AS Energy and sustainable development
IF Sustainable Energy Demand
RS Panel 4 Energy and human habitat: Can we make our everyday lives more energy sustainable?