Constraints to the Development of Alternative Energy - Essay Example

The Political and Technical Constraints to the Development of Alternative Energy Strategies Introduction "Effective and well-founded climate policies require a careful and informed analysis of the problem, and the possible options available for addressing it" (David Humphreys, p. 7). The climate change issues has attracted the attention of almost everyone around the world. Indeed it concerns everyone that it requires collective decision and action. Humphreys and Blowers declared that "coherent environmental policy responses require the active involvement of a broad range of governmental actors" (David Humphreys, p. 9). As soon as the IPCC result was known, a number of people and countries have accepted the responsibility as one resounding conclusion emerged from the report: "anthropogenic climate change is the result of an enhanced greenhouse effect that is caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere" (David Humphreys, p.19). In an effort to stop and adapt to this mammoth environmental and global challenge, scientists and policy makers went into studies and researches seeking for both immediate and long-term solution. Scientists have played a very significant role in helping policy makers find their direction and focus, although some still grope as to which to prioritize: mitigation or adaptation. The burning of fossil fuel is one of the identified sources of climate change. It is however widely used for commerical purposes so that it would be politically difficult to stop its use. On the other hand, some have ventured into the development of alternative sources of energy to address the problem. This paper particularly examines the development of these alternative energy sources and the technical and political constraints that the development faces. Main Body The Identifed Cause The cause of the problem has already been identified: the increase in the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitroud oxide, chlrofluorocarbons and hydroflurocarbons. Both the absence and increased volume of greenhouse gases are seen to be detrimental to the environment as less of it might cause negative temperature which disallows the earth to sustain life (Blowers, p.19). On the other hand, increased volume of greenhouse gases is the primary source of global warming. Some greenhouse gases are emitted as byproduct of some materials with significant use to our everyday life. Example of this is carbon. Energy sources are of paramount importance to our daily life. Since the industrial revolution, we have relied heavily on energy to run our transportation and communication and many other aspects of our needs and wants. For commercial purposes, the use of energy has been significant especially in terms of firms' profit. It was also "the process of industrialization that brought about the conversion of fossil fuels into power, heat and light, thereby releasing within a mere 250 years carbon that had lain dormant underground for millions of years" (Blowers, p.208). "It is these fossil fuels that are responsible for the vast bulk of carbon output" (Blowers, p.210) "Fossil fuels, the energy of modernization, which constitute about 70 per cent of global energy output, now threaten the survival of life on Earth" and people believe that "the key to survival lies in conserving energy and switching to carbon free or, at least, low carbon sources" (Blowers, p.209). Two Approaches The government has two approaches against climate change: mitigation which is prevention of further changes and adaptation which is preparation for the possible effects of climate change. In this paper we would be dealing with the mitigation approach particularly the development of alternative sources of energy. "Mitigation strategies involve the reduction of greenhouse gas sources or the enhancement of sinks. Examples of mitigation strategies include switching from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, improved energy efficiency and planting trees to improve sink capacity" (David Humphreys, p.31). On the other hand, "adaptation strategies seek to adjust to the effects of climate change. Examples include evacuating coastal settlements as sea levels rise and constructing sea walls" (David Humphreys, p.19). In London, adaptation was done by building the Thames Barrier which is expect to "protect London against sea-level rises during the early part of the twenty-first century" (Video B). Shorelines are particularly managed to protect from rising seal level. This may involve "defending the existing coastline from erosion" and "to manage the process of retreat while accepting that some coastal erosion is inevitable" (Video B). Both ways necessitate international cooperation. "They can do this by a variety of means: by trying to persuade each other to act in certain ways, or by trying to coerce each other whether by using financial or other incentives or, sometimes, force" (Dawson, p.147) Challenges Met Generally, strategies to mitigate climate change face difficulties: both technically and politically. One of the deterrents to the implemementations of climate change mitigation practices is the uncertainty about climate change. According to one discourse "climate change is probably due to natural variations and it is unlikely to lead to significant, if any, adverse effects" (Humphreys, p.59). These uncertainties spring from the limitations of scientific knowledge such as "problems in measurement" (Humphreys, p.65). Since climate change mitigation processes such as development of alternative energy sources require vast amount of spending, policy makers need to be enlightened on scientific certainties. Aside from the skeptics, there are also a group of deniers who do "not seek the truth and will ignore or undermine scientific evidence for political ends" (Humphreys, p.83). "Many former skeptical scientists had now accepted that anthropogenic climate change was happening" while "some influential deniers remained, and their political resistance to the scientific consensus subsequently grew more robust" (Humphreys, p.83). Deniers are found to be simply unconcerned. "They deny because they believe that doing so will enhance their own narrow interests, such as increasing party political support and maximizing shareholder value" (Humphreys, p.88). The crusade against climate change and further destruction of the environment entails huge costs. It takes away something from the present generation in terms of taxes. This consideration makes it hard for the government to pursue environmental reforms carelessly. Even with this, "some economists believe that the current generation should do more to safeguard the prospects for future generations than put taxes or carbon trading in place. Deeper changes to affluent lifestyles might be required" (Humphreys, Climate change p.99). Alternative Sources of Energy as Solution "The world remains massively dependent on fossil fuels to meet its energy demands. Fossil fuels are at the heart of the climate change debate, which has several dimensions. Politically the most vigorous debate, namely the debate about the potential for reducing CO2 from the production of electricity and in particular the roles of alternative low carbon technologies in providing a response to climate change" (Blowers, p.218). Four basic ways are identified in going about the problem of CO2 emissions. We shall discuss this briefly at this point while emphasis will be given to the fourth. These ways are: "reduce the CO2 emissions by improved coal utilization and carbon abatement technologies", "ensure greater efficiency in the distribution and consumption of electricity", "switch fuels to reduce carbon emissions by replacing coal with natural gas" and lastly "switch to other low carbon sources" (Blowers, p.220). The last method is "method is to switch to other low carbon sources, namely renewables or nuclear energy (which produces only about 4.4tC/ GWH)" (Blowers, p.220). Wind Energy Some of these alternative sources of energy are wind energy, wave and tidal energy, nuclear energy, barrages across estuaries, solar energy and biomass. Wind energy is a low carbon and relatively safe technology but requires high initial cost of capital. Once operating "wind power is largely both cost and carbon free" (Blowers, p.220). It is also secure as it is widely available and "creates no waste until decommissioning" (Blowers, p.220). It has many advantages against fossil fuel. "Unlike fossil fuels, wind is a resource that is not depleted once used" (Blowers, p.220). The use of wind energy has some disadvantages even in a wealthy population such as UK. Wind energy has diasdvantages economically, tehnically and politically. Wind energy has economic drawback as it is "not competitive in price with fossil fuels" (Blowers, p.223). Also, wind is not constantly available which limits its capacity to supply energy as "wind turbine only generates to about 30 per cent of its capacity" (Blowers, p.223). This is a technical limitation that has not yet found a solution, eventhough, wind is widely available. "So long as the level of wind generated energy in the total electricity output is low, intermittency is not a problem since the power system has backup designed to cope with variations in supply and demand. However, once wind goes beyond about 20 per cent of total electricity output there would be a need for more backup capacity to maintain stable supplies" (Blowers, p.223). Generally, alternative sources of energy including wind suffers the limitation in "connecting some renewables to the national grid, especially for those schemes that are in remote locations far from the centers of greatest demand" (Blowers, p.223). Politically, the installation of wind turbines face objection from the local communities. These are "mainly on grounds of visual impact, noise and effects on wildlife, especially bird migration" (Blowers, p.223). The disapproval of local communities to wind farms necessitates that it be constructed in far-flung areas. "Overall, wind energy is a popular option with over two-thirds of the population consistently in favor (with some polls registering as many as three-quarters). How much of the potential of wind energy can be realized will depend on various constraints, in particular technical (for example, grid connection), political (for example, planning permissions) and economic (for example, the competitiveness of wind against alternative sources) constraints" (Blowers, p.224). Nuclear Energy The nuclear power is a popular energy supply which accounts for 16% of the total global electric supply. Machines for such technology such as reactors are established in North America, Asia and Europe. It used to be a very promising technology as people put their trust on its capacity especially that "the dangers were discounted or undisclosed, for example the risks to workers and the local population arising from contamination from the reactor fire at Windscale (now Sellafield) in 1957" (Blowers, p.228) The acceptance of nuclear energy as a source of worldwide electric power depends on its ability to contribute to "energy security and environmental sustainability. Proponents argue that the economics of nuclear energy are increasingly favorable and the problem of radioactive waste can be solved. Nuclear is seen as a necessary part of the energy mix, alongside clean coal, renewables and energy efficiency" (Blowers, p.230). The case of nuclear energy is unique and entirely difference from that of the use of wind energy. The discourse as to the effectivity of this source energy was marred by the successive events of dangers that it has shown. Fears has seized globally as it is found to be detrimental to heealth and to the environment; susceptible to both accidents and deliberate abuse by the military. The change in social attitudes about nuclear energy was specifically brought by the accidents in "Windscale in 1957, Three Mile Island, USA, in 1979 and culminating in Chernobyl in the Ukraine in 1986" (Blowers, p.229) The development of nuclear energy was halted given these concerns plus commercial uncompetitiveness. Biofuels Shifting to biofuels - fuels derived from plants is seen to be a radical move in reducing carbon emission. It can be processed from plants such as corn, sugar cane, oil palm and soya beans. It is currently being used and manufactured in the US and in Brazil. Globally, the use of biofuels account of "less than 3 per cent of the global transport fuel supply" (Audio B). Economically, the use of biofuels also guarantees market efficiency as the supply base is widespread. We shall not be relying mainly on few petroleum suppliers. The opposition against the use of biofuels is that it directly rivals food production. Plants used for biofuel production used up space for food. Farmers benefit from biofuels, but consumers may suffer from increased food prices. This is the main political and economic deterrent to the use of biofuels. Aside from this, planting products for biofuel production can actually displace rainforests which in turn would be detrimental to the environment. Other Alternative Sources Other alternative sources such as barrage on estuaries are found to have negative impact on the environment. "Severn estuary would theoretically be able to provide 86GW and save 5MtC per year but would threaten marine ecosystems" (Blowers, p.224). Renewable sources also poses problems including high cost of development and oppositions from local communities due to inconvenience and "damage to amenity and ecosystems" (Blowers, p.225). Conclusion The use of alternative sources of energy to radically reduce carbon emission must be seen as an opportunity. The government must have the teeth to implement them even if some meet political oppositions. I believe that renewable and earth-friendly sources of energy should be adapted although it might require huge amount from the government. After all, climate change can be appropriately seen as a security threat and therefore requires urgency Over-all, it would be proper and effective to treat climate change as a security threat to highlight the need for urgency in tackling this issue (Brown). Works Cited Audio B. (n.d.). Blowers, A. Energy and Climate Change: Sustainable Options, Political Choices and Ethical Considerations. In A Warming World. Brown, W. Climate Emergency: Is Securitisation the way forward In A Warming World. David Humphreys, A. B. Climate Change: An Introduction to a Heated Debate. In A Warming World. Dawson, G. Collective Action or Collective Failure: The international Politica of Climate Change. In A Warming World. Humphreys, D. Climate change: Economic Valuation and Policy. In A Warming World. Humphreys, D. The Role of Science in Climate Change Policy. In A Warming World. Video B. (n.d.). Read More