World Change and Energy Revolution

“If everyone consumed as much energy as the average Singaporean and US resident, the world’s oil reserves would be depleted in 9 years”

Energy is indispensable in human lives nowadays. From the time human know how to use energy, the demand for energy is growing significantly. People need energy in their daily activities, companies need energy to manufacture products… Coal and oil are two dominant sources to produce energy. The graph about global primary energy consumption showed in class illustrates a continual increase in oil and coal consumption in 25 consecutive years. People are using oil and coal to produce energy since they are cheap and accessible sources. However, in order to ensure energy security, people have to look for alternative sources to produce energy.

There are many drivers of global energy change. First, population growth and the global economic development make the world’s energy consumption increase dramatically. People are facing with the problem of resource exhaustion as a result of excessive consumption. At the same time, people also have to concern about energy distribution among countries. Developed countries are using high amount of energy while in some parts of the world, people can not access to electricity or lack energy to maintain production. Second, countries are trying to become more sustainable. Countries now are aware of the importance of sustainable development, countries and organizations are investing more to find new technology, new energy resources. Developed countries are investing in green sources of energy for a long time and big developing countries are catching up fast in the progress. China is now the world largest investment of $ 48 billion investment on alternative energy. This shows China’s focus on sustainable development and its strategic plan to provide enough energy for its large population. Last but not least, new technology and approaches is also technology driver of global energy changes. As advanced technology is available, people can consider new possibilities, new approaches to attain sustainability.

Still, the main question is “Is it possible to be energy green?” People are using wind power, solar power and water power to generate energy. But are natural resources enough to provide energy for growing demand of the world? Astonishingly, the answer is yes. Prof tells us one fact in class that is truly surprising. He said the amount of energy produced in one hour by the sun is equal to the energy human produce in 1 year. Therefore, there are so many possibilities to be more sustainable in energy production. We have to discover new tech to capture more solar energy. If we find effective method to combine renewable method, it is more than enough to meet the world demand. The government should create right incentives for companies and citizens to change to green energy. For example, in one video showed class, German government is encouraging its citizen to use solar panels for energy supply. Despite the fact that German has relative small amount of sunshine, German government finds benefits in using solar energy. It is said that if people invest on solar panels, consequently most solar energy owners have benefits.  We are also introduced about solar plant in desert and solar farming. All are possibilities for people to be independent of energy supply.

All things considered, the only problem remains is whether we are determined to be energy green. It is not easy to achieve energy sustainability but with the combined efforts of governments and socities, sooner or later, human can be independent of energy sources.

Personal rating: 9/10 The lesson is interesting and brings to me a lot of insights on green engery production. Interesting and informative videos also make the lesson more fun.