Renewable Energy: A Safer Future for the Planet and Its People

When it comes to climate change, which is considered the utmost threat to the world, especially for countries and regions at the top of the Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI), renewable energy takes top priority. This is due to the fact that renewable sources, such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower, do not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful gases that contribute to global warming.

In human history, our forefathers primarily relied on very basic forms of energy, such as burning biomass. However, with the advent of the industrial revolution came an era of drastic changes, unveiling a whole new energy resource: fossil fuels. Over the past two centuries, fossil energy (oil, coal, and gas) has played a crucial role in technological, economic, and developmental progress. Humans have heavily depended on fossil fuels to power everything from light bulbs to transportation and factories. Fossil fuels are deeply ingrained in almost every aspect of our lives, playing a dominant role in global energy systems.

Why is it important to transition away from fossil fuel (dirty energy)? The primary difference between renewable energy and fossil fuel is that how long they can last. As we are all aware of the fact that fossil fuels are available in limited amounts. It is estimated that in about 200 years fossil fuels will cease to exist, because they are depleting at a steady rate. In contrast renewable energy are resources harnessed from never-ending natural processes and can be used time to time again without depletion. Renewable energy sources are more sustainable and can continue to be used.

Along with the emission of harmful gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) which is main agent of warming up the global environment, which endanger environment and human health. The pollution associated with the burning of fossil fuel is toxic and causes around 2 million deaths each year globally. Furthermore, expenses associated with fossil fuel are constant like, the cost of exploration, extraction, and transportation to be used. Although the initial investment in installation of renewable resources is expensive but it is much cheaper than nonrenewable sources. Because sources like wind and solar produce energy “for free” for the life span of solar panel or turbine.

There are many different types of renewable energy sources to generate electricity to light our buildings, heat our homes and move our transports. As above mentioned, renewable energy is source that can never run out. Wind, sun, and water are the sources that can create electricity.

Hydropower- it uses kinetic energy of moving water to spin the turbines and generates electricity. Tidal and wave energy can also be used to generate electricity by driving turbines. According to Energy Institute -Statistical Review of World Energy total electricity production from hydropower accounts 4288.59 TWh worldwide which accounts 60% of renewable sources. Solar energy- according to Energy Institute -Statistical Review of World Energy 1310.02 TWh amount of electricity has been generated globally from solar power in 2022. solar panel made of silicon or other material called photovoltaic cells (PV) which transform sunlight into electricity. Wind power- wind energy turns turbine which generates electricity. According to Energy Institute -Statistical Review of World Energy about 2098.46 TWh electricity has been generated from wind power globally in 2022. Along with these there are other renewable power resources like Biomass and geothermal power.

According to data from Ember – Yearly Electricity Data a European institute total world electricity generation is 28660.98 TWh nearly 80% of electricity is still produced by nonrenewable resources. Although renewable energy has developed swiftly in recent years in the electricity sector, however it is still just 20% of accumulated energy consumption and fossil fuel is still dominating.   Recently The Global Climate Action at COP28 which was 28th annual United Nation (UN) Climate Meeting which took place in DUBAI United Arab Emirates from 30th November to 12th December 2023 where talks focused on course of action to reduce carbon emissions and protect lives and livelihoods.

Many developed nations along with developing nations are trying to achieve goals set for renewable resources. Pakistan being fuel importer country depends on other oil rich states as most of its power generation comes from thermal plants which jeopardize country’s energy security and national security. It is time to take serious action and make policies to transitioned to renewable energy resources, as Pakistan is also considered as one of most vulnerable country to climate change. According to one World Bank featured story, by utilizing 0.071 percent of total land area for solar (photovoltaic) power generation, Pakistan can generate electricity to meet country’s demand. Pakistan produces only 1500 Mega watt electricity from wind and solar projects installed successfully, which is around 2 percent of total generation.

Counties have deployed many different policies to promote renewables, but this will acquire more effective and comprehensive policies to scale-up an energy transition, to achieve climate targets, guarantee energy access for all, ensure energy security, and bring down air pollution. To achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals countries will require deployment of renewables across sectors like heat, transport, and electricity. Renewable energy policies differ from country to country because of different regulatory frameworks, fiscal constraints, and political agendas. The best way to attract investment in renewables is to design appropriate market design to foster innovation and competition.

In the end I would conclude with a sentence “To make the world happier and more sustainable renewable energy is a step we must take”.

The author hails from the Nagar district of Gilgit-Baltistan and is currently pursuing an MPhil in Economics at PIDE