Recent statistics depict that there will be an increase in reliability of alternative sources of energy by 2020. At least 26 percent of the total primary energy will come from alternative energy sources (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This trend has been established based on analysis of a pattern of alternative energy utilization since 2012. In 2012, the world relied on alternative sources to produce about 13.2 percent of the total primary energy supplied (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). In 2013, the energy used escalated to 22 percent as the world recorded an increase in the use of renewable energy (International Energy Agency). Such statistics portray the direction in which the world is taking concerning renewable energy usage. There is clear indication that alternative energy enhances the sustainability of the environment (Ibrahim 158). As less fossil fuel is used in energy production, the world records lesser hazardous waste produced annually. Hence, alternative sources meet current energy demands without putting the world and environment in jeopardy. Also, alternative energy cannot get depleted because it replenishes at a faster rate than its consumption. In relation, therefore, alternative energy needs to be encouraged since it costs less rather not a single penny to use and also it poses no harm to the environment. The alternative sources used include solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower. These sources among others such as ocean energy are available in plenty and are very stable. Based on this highlight it is evident that alternative sources are fundamental in attaining the ‘sustainable development goals’ which are expected to yield a transformation in the environment. To achieve the benefits and to attest the economic impact of alternative sources, however, it requires devotion to the goals.
Purpose of this paper
While it is easy to acknowledge that the world is slowly adopting alternative sources of energy, it is worth to note that there is a significant impact on the environment even with the little changes. Shifting to alternative sources hasn’t been easy as a large part of the world still depends on fossil fuels. However, it is important noting that overreliance of fossils is very harmful to the planet and as well making it unsustainable (Ibrahim 170). Adopting alternative energy needs to be enhanced to evade such problems. This means the world must change how it produces and consumes its energy (International Energy Agency). Strict measures and innovative solutions about energy solutions need to be put in place to counter climate change which has stood out to be among the biggest threats to the survival of humanity. The purpose of this research aligns with the global goal of sustainable development which states “affordable and clean energy.” Hence, this research aims to exhibit the importance of having an increased percentage of alternative energy usage in the world. Another aim is to portray the relevance of investing in and facilitation of access to clean energy research and technology, especially in developing countries. The paper further analyses the economic benefit of expanding and upgrading alternative energy uses in developing nations. The paper is limited to these three aims which are fundamental in ensuring that clean energy is accessible to all and the world benefits from sustainable energy.
Reasons
The impact of fossil fuels is gruesome to the environment, and it disqualifies it from being a sustainable energy. Fossil fuels release harmful gases in large deposits to the atmosphere. Also, they diminish as they are used thus fossil fuel is limited compared to alternative energy. For instance, coal, oil and natural gases are not found everywhere in the world. However, developing nations have limited resources to harness alternative energy while high-income nations contribute less to minimizing the negative impact of fossil fuels. There is over-dependency of fossil fuels which contributes to increased danger to the environment. The extinction of fossil fuels that is looming and the climate changes that the world is experiencing today are among the biggest challenges of this generation. The future is vague and unknown due to lack of sustainability on earth (International Energy Agency). To secure the future and that of other generations demands the world to change their perception of fossil fuel. There is great need to minimize the energy consumption. A decrease in using fossil energy will diminish greenhouse gases that are released every day. It is also worrying to note that super nations such as the USA are constantly relying heavily on coal and natural gases for most of its energy. Whereas, such sources of energy are damaging to the environment (Environmental Protection Agency).
Developing nations have shown great interest in alternative energy. While it seems alternative energy is costly and a luxury that can be afforded by developed nations, recent statistics indicate that at least $156 billion invested in non-hydro renewables is from countries such as India, Brazil, and China (Ian 1). Also, there is sufficient evidence supporting that majority of the developing nations have adequate alternative energy resources such as wind, solar and biomass. Also, they can invest in manufacturing of labor-intensive systems that can harness such energies. With their low per capita income and gross domestic product, developing nations often struggle to invest in alternative energy. The inability to create energy portfolios that will be cheaper than the fossil energy systems has also hindered the progress of adopting alternative energy by developing nations. As of 2009, research indicates that at least 1.4 billion people were living without electricity (Ian 2). Additionally, 2.7 billion of the entire world population relied heavily on wood, charcoal, and dung for their energy consumptions. Developing nations have limited technologies due to their insufficient income generations and high poverty levels. These conditions have resulted to global deforestation, climate changes, and adverse health conditions. However, there has been the utilization of alternative energy but on a small scale. In most cases, onsite solar powers and improvised cook-stoves are utilized in the rural households as the modern alternative energy solutions. Compared to the magnitude of change, these resources are meager hence cannot lead to a significant drop in environmental pollution.
Off the grid technologies for renewable sources of energy comes in as an alternative solution to the electricity grid systems which are not economical. About developing nations, most of the households are located far from each other. As a result, inception and implementation of grid extensions to supply electricity from alternative energy are quite expensive. However, to expand alternative energy means that there must be a displacement of non-renewable energies such as kerosene lamps and traditional biomass. Technology makes this possible since it is opening up a large market for solar energy utilization; about 1.3 billion households that are not supplied with grid electricity (Ian 2). Traditional energy is expensive compared to alternative energy. Individuals in developing nations tend to spend more on purchasing energy for lighting compared to high-income nations that don’t depend on kerosene lamps. Otherwise, such cost could be limited with the use of alternative energy such as solar power which costs less compared to the use of kerosene. A case study conducted in Kenya indicates that it is the leading nation in the world in solar power system installation per capita. Kenya has managed to install at least 30,000 solar panels which can produce 12 to 30 watts per year (Mathew 1). With such intention and purpose, the nation is expected to improve its standard of living as well as minimize poverty levels. There is a relationship between the use of alternative energy and poverty alleviation. Alternative energy enhances business and creates employment. Technologies used in alternative energy distribution indirectly contribute to diminishing poverty levels through the provision of energy for a variety of purposes. It also facilitates education by providing reliable electricity to schools thus children have adequate time to read instead of gathering fuel. Also, alternative energy contributes to a healthy environment. At least 2.4 billion people using traditional energy are exposed to carbon monoxide and indoor particulates (Mathew 2). In worst cases, children and women suffer most because of their longtime exposure to traditional energy. 2.5 percent of women and children are reported dead prematurely in developing nations due to respiratory complications yielding from carbon monoxide (Energy Information Agency). Alternative energy will, therefore, minimize such effects through less exposition of people to indoor pollutants.
Evidence
According to a report by UK Renewable energy association, the world could produce 1, 849 gigawatts of power in 2015 compared to 2014 when it had the capacity of 1, 701 gigawatts. Furthermore, the report depicts that, “for every dollar spent boosting renewables, nearly four dollars were spent to maintain dependence on fossil fuels.” (Ian 1) 2016 statistics by the renewable energy policy network for the 21st century depict that a total of around 196.5 billion euros spent on renewable power and fuels. However, more than 107 billion euros of this amount was spent by developing nations. The main reason as to why developing nations are turning to alternative energy is because it is cost effective compared to fossil fuels. For instance, China is often linked with pollution through its over-utilization of the coal-powered industry. However, China has since topped the table for nations investing in alternative energy followed by UK and Japan. The research further depicts that Bangladesh is the world’s leading market for solar home systems. There is a rapid expansion of small-scale alternative energy systems to areas that are far from the grid electricity (Mathiesen, Brian Vad, Henrik Lund, and Kenneth 500). The impact of alternative energy in developing nations is overwhelming. People can save money by using free available energy. Also, the countries don’t spend too much on fossil fuels which are not reliable. For instance, wind and solar energy are less prone to failure in large scale because they are distributed and modulated. Also, water scarcity can be a huge risk to non-renewable power plants (Mathiesen, Brian Vad, Henrik Lund, and Kenneth 490). In the event of insufficient water in coal and nuclear plants, there is the risk of heat waves. In the future, droughts, heat waves and intense storms resulting from global warming can put fossil fuel use to great risks. The world needs more resilient and clean energy which will only come from alternative sources.
Alternative energy is affordable and also helps stabilize the prices of energy in future. This outcome, however, comes at the expense of investing heavily. In the long run, such investments run at low cost because the ‘fuel’ is free (Mats, et al 1203). Additionally, with the constant dropping of renewable energy technologies, installation of solar energy has dropped by 70 percent between 2010 and 2017 (Mathew 1). On the other hand, wind-driven energy has dropped by 66 percent since 2009. The costs are projected to decrease even further as the market expands and firms are taking advantage of the economies of scale (Mathiesen, Brian Vad, Henrik Lund, and Kenneth 489). On the contrary, fossil fuel prices are unstable as they vary dramatically. In 2008, the increased global demand for US coal led to increase in prices then afterward it fell when the demand declined (Mathew 2). The same case was with natural gases since 2000.
Finally, alternative energy is highly labor intensive thus requires human beings to install and maintain. This means that there will be an increase in job creation compared to fossil fuel which is highly mechanized and capital intensive (Mats, et al 1207). In the case of USA, at least 100,000 individuals are employed full time in wind energy industry as of 2016. Also, more than 500 firms in US deal with wind turbines and installation of wind power representing an investment of $13.0 billion in 2016. The use of alternative energy hence will increase more jobs compared to the coal industry which in 2016 created 160,000 people.
Work cited
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