energy security — global issues

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http://www.globalissues.org/print/article/595 1/18

Global Issues http://www.globalissues.orgSocial, Political, Economic and Environmental Issues That Affect Us All

Energy Security

by Anup Shah This Page Last Updated Sunday, May 15, 2011

This print version has been autogenerated from

http://www.globalissues.org/article/595/energysecurity

Recent years and months have seen increasing attention being paid to the issue of energy security. There

are a number of concerns and fears such as (though not limited to):

Oil and other fossil fuel depletion (peak oil, etc)

Reliance on foreign sources of energy

Geopolitics (such as supporting dictatorships, rising terrorism, “stability” of nations that supply

energy)

Energy needs of poorer countries, and demands from advancing developing countries such as China

and India

Economic efficiency versus population growth debate

Environmental issues, in particular climate change

Renewables and other alternative energy sources

Energy insecurity combined with other global issues risks fueling conflict, repeating past mistakes in

history.

This web page has the following subsections:

1. Oil and other fossil fuel depletion

2. Oil and Globalization

3. Reliance on foreign sources of energy and geopolitics

4. Energy needs and demands of growing countries such as China and India

5. Economic efficiency versus population growth

6. Need to invest in alternatives to fossil fuels

7. Nuclear as a suitable alternative to fossil fuels?

8. New resources for alternative energy; same old geopolitics?

9. Local renewable energy reduces violence yet may be a threat to governments

10. More Information

Oil and other fossil fuel depletion

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http://www.globalissues.org/article/595/energy-security



Many fear that the world is quickly using up the vast but finite amount of fossil fuels. Some fear we may

have already peaked in fossil fuel extraction and production. So much of the world relies on oil, for

example, that if there has been a peak, or if a peak is imminent, or even if a peak is some way off, it is surely

environmentally, geopolitically and economically sensible to be efficient in use and invest in alternatives.

Some may argue (ideologically) that markets will solve this problem. However, markets are good for

making profit and allocating resources efficiently for that purpose, but that does not always mean that is

good for the environment or for society or for other societies in other parts of the world. Furthermore, in

reality markets are not perfect, so even if the theory holds, reality sees a mixture of politics, power play

and corruption—even in the most advanced countries.

Oil and Globalization

Canadian economist, Jeff Rubin, notes that the current form of globalization has two key parts to it:

1. Trade liberalization/lower tariffs, etc. to manufacture goods far away from where it is consumed;

2. Cheap oil to transport all those goods from far away.

High oil prices of recent years, therefore, threatens the current form of globalization:

Video: Oil and The Death of Globalization , jyskebank, October

25, 2010

Would it be the “death of globalization” for everyone as Rubin says? Might the “everyone” be the “West”?

It is hard to predict, of course. But consider this:

Importing goods from far away depends who it is far from.

Currently, China seems to be the main manufacturer for the world, and it is far away from Europe

and America.

A decline in American/European (or more generally, the “West”) dominance due to the current

global financial crisis , the emergence of a few developing nations, and other related events, may

affect their ability to afford that transportation (if alternatives to oil do not emerge quickly enough)and it may affect their ability to participate in a global system (that they helped forge).But if other regions develop, they may offset the decline of the “West”.

In that scenario, it may be the end of globalization for the West, but it may still be some kind ofglobalization for the rest.

Also interestingly, and perhaps importantly, another implication is that even if there is a decline for some

that is somewhat offset by others, the importance of “localization” may emerge, which could mean

declining industries in the “West” may also be revived.

(The implications are wider than economic, too. Geopolitically, this “offset” may be violent; those with

power rarely give it up easily, for example. Even if it is a reasonably peaceful transition where the West

finds an alternative model or accepts a different role in the world economy, it will have cultural and social

implications. Changing media, changing food habits (and sources), and more which a few generalizations

and words here cannot begin to explain!)

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Reliance on foreign sources of energy and geopolitics

There has certainly been a recognition in recent months and years that energy security is a concern. Even

US president George Bush admitted during his 2006 State of the Union speech that, “Keeping America

competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil,

which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through

technology.”

Ignoring for the moment the irony that a major (though not only) reason that those parts of the world are

unstable is because of US foreign policy there, there have been signs—for many years—that some major

companies and industries, have been considering alternatives.

The other concern is that whether this drive or need for competitiveness will contribute to more intense

rivalry between powerful nations as witnessed at the end of the 1800s and the early 1900s, or whether this

time we will learn from history’s lessons. So far, there is little to indicate that we have evolved into peaceful

enough societies to not repeat those past disasters as growing inequality, extremism, power, drive for

growth and profit, and our collective short memories all interplay. After all, the 20 century has been

described as “the century of war”, not peace. At the beginning of the 21 century, the leaders of two

countries that hold themselves as high examples of peaceful members of the international community

decided to invade Iraq, without global approval or legal justification.

Some foreign policy decisions in past years are coming back to haunt advanced nations. For example, in

order to destabilize the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the United States successfully encouraged,

trained and sustained Islamic extremism and terrorism so that a relentless, religiouslydriven resistance

could counter the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

However, the kind of extremists that the US helped create included Osama Bin Laden. With these

extremists returning back after defeating the Soviet Union, various events since have seen Islamic

extremists resort to terrorist acts, alarmed at the military presence of the US in their holiest lands, the

influences of western culture which they fear is against Islam, and so on.

As more and more developing countries industrialize, they will naturally want more energy to quench the

growth thirst. This will see more involvement in international affairs, and indeed China and India are

increasingly active in many regions around the world. Geopolitical issues, new and old, will therefore arise.

For example, the Cold War years witnessed both the West and Soviet Union readily support puppet

governments, even overthrowing fledgling democracies, in favor of dictatorships , if needed. This was

often justified to the home population as being for the “national interest.” (Note, the US and other western

countries also supported Saddam Hussein when he was committing some of his worst crimes against

humanity.)

Legitimate stability and supply issues are also of concern. For example, places like Nigeria , Iraq , Iran ,

etc. all produce oil but present problems of varying degree for oil consuming nations, as concerns range

from stable supply, to stable government. Others, such as Venezuela , “threaten” to use oil and its related

profits to develop their own country and region even more.

Some countries such as the US have enormous military expenditure in part to protect global oil areas for

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their interests. A number of other large countries are getting more involved or active in the international

arena due to energy related concerns, including China and Russia prompting a fear of a geopolitical coldwar centered around energy security .

Already many talk about the US using the War on Terror in Asia, and its courting of India (a country with

its own ambitions) as an attempt to contain China, for example. Russia has also flexed its muscle lately

with neighboring countries as it has access to some of the largest sources of natural gas. China and US

interest in parts of Africa are also viewed with some suspicion as some of these countries become sources

of oil and other raw materials.

The rapid rise of developing countries such as Brazil, China, and India, will also see their increased

interested in ensuring secure access to energy, and so a new geopolitical cold war is possible. Countries

already powerful (such as the US) and some of these emerging countries will therefore have their own

interests at stake.

The ironic part to this is that the Pentagon has become an enormous consumer of fuel itself, thus

contributing to climate change worries, and increasing global energy security concerns as other large

countries are emerging on the scene. Michael Klare, a professor of peace and world security studies, writes

about the rising geopolitical battle centered around energy security , and notes that “the Pentagon is itself

one of the world's great oil guzzlers, consuming 134 million barrels of oil in 2005, as much as the entire

nation of Sweden.”

The future could also see continued conflicts for resources. Thus fossil fuel dependency and wasteful use

of resources will worsen climate change which already threatens to endanger many of the world’s

ecosystems, raise sea levels, and affect food production possibly leading to resourcescarcity driven

instability and conflict.

Energy needs and demands of growing countries such asChina and India

The western nations form a small percentage of the world population but consume far more resources .

Problems such as climate change and energy depletion are thus largely caused by these nations.

However, as China and India also grow rapidly there is a fear that these countries’ demands for energy and

resources will very quickly see the world’s natural resources stripped away even more quickly given their

large population sizes. Some fear that already we are close to, or are already exceeding, the planet’s ability

to replenish itself at a quick enough rate.

Some policies and suggestions therefore point fingers at China and India, that they must address issues

such as population growth and be subject to emission reduction targets like the industrialized countries,

etc. (And also watch for more defensive reaction from industrialized countries, for example, raising often

legitimate issues—though often by vested interests—such as as human rights, corruption, threats of jobs,

and so on.)

On the other hand, most developing countries (including China and India) counter that they have a right to

development, and they have not been the ones wastefully pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere

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for as many decades. (This principle was also agreed to by the rich countries, including the US, forexample, when discussing the Kyoto protocol to tackle global warming, accepting common but

differentiated responsibilities . Developing countries also promised to pursue a path of development thatwas less wasteful and inefficient as the alreadyindustrialized nations’, one that would be more

sustainable.)

© Centre for Science and Environment and Equity Watch

Economic efficiency versus population growth

Another issue is whether it is population growth or economic choices (patterns of consumption,

production, etc.) that drive resource depletion and energy needs. The former implies countries like China

and India are major causes of problems, and the latter implies that economic policies, perhaps even

fundamental economic ideologies may be major problems. Indeed, many have calculated that dependingon how resources are consumed, the number of people the planet can sustain varies significantly .

A populationrelated argument serves rich country interest by focusing blame or concern of global

problems at the developing countries. Arguing that by noting the right to development may appear to

defend bad policies that are not sustainable for the environment. Clearly this is not a black and white issue,

yet, rarely is the enormous waste of resources in our economic system , even in many industrialized

markets, ever discussed.

It is common to hear of concerns about the thirst for energy, the growing number of cars, etc. in China,

India and other rapidly developing countries. The concerns are indeed genuine, but rarely are changes to

energy usage/efficiently, fuel consumption, or driving habits in the industrialized countries discussed, for

it “threatens our way of life” even though that currently (and historically) has caused far more harm to the

planet both relative to population size and in absolute terms. Instead, it is easier to blame nations such as

China and India that have followed practices ironically encouraged by the industrialized nations.

Need to invest in alternatives to fossil fuels

It would make strategic and environmental sense to pour more resources into the research and

development of alternatives to fossil fuels. Fossil fueldependent industries cry foul of such suggestions,

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but governments poured billions into fossil fuel development (before privatizing those industries).Perhaps in a similar way, given those industries are now mature, they do not need such support, but other

industries in renewable and alternatives could be created.

Dr. Hermann Scheer is a Member of the German Parliament since 1980 and was given the title “Hero for

the Green Century” in 2002 by Time Magazine. He argues in a short video clip (2 minutes 30 seconds,transcript ) that the reason why many still think renewable energy cannot replace fossil and nuclear power

is because those working in these industries have made efforts to propagate the notion.

Video: Hermann Scheer, Big Energy’s Last Stand , May 21, 2006, © Big Picture

TV

The higher prices at petrol pumps in recent months may be a blessing in disguise if it makes consumers also

think more about energy conservation and alternatives, for the market may respond to that.

Nuclear power is one alternative to fossil fuels that many nations are considering, given their efficient and

environmental friendliness during operation. Many (not all) environmentalists fear the consequences and

costs of accidents and radioactive waste and say it is not worth it, and that other renewable alternatives

should be invested in, instead.

Despite environmental concerns, “demand for nuclear power plants is on the increase, and the

International Energy Agency estimates that more than $200bn will be spent by 2030 on harnessing the

atom for energy output ”, notes the BBC. As an example, by 2050, India expects to have 25% of its energyprovided by nuclear power, compared to the current 3% , according to another BBC article.

India and China are some of the countries that have recently made deals with providers of nuclear power

plants, while others, such as Iran are criticized and obstructed from having such capability based on the

fear that they may want to create nuclear weapons.

Many have called for a massive infusion of funds by leading governments and companies to invest in

alternatives such as solar, wind, and wave power. Governments encouraging and even funding investment

in these areas would be no different to the past where development of fossil fuelbased energy required a

kickstart.

Ars Technica summarized an International Energy Agency (IEA) report noting that

Globally, we’re subsidizing fossil fuel use to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars (over $300bn

in 2009)

Fossil fuel subsidies are over 5 times the subsidies going to renewable energy ($57bn in 2009)

Inaction on climate goals has added $1 trillion onto the cost of reaching them—in 2009 alone.

Governments will have to act fast to have any chance of getting us to the 450ppm goal that

they claim to support. Due to the inaction that dominated the past year, the IEA estimates

that it will take a trillion dollars more to stabilize the atmosphere at 450ppm if we start nowthan it would have if we’d started a year earlier. Any further delay would make matters

worse, so much so that the report seems to conclude that it simply won’t happen.

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— John Timmer, IEA: last year’s inaction on climate goals cost us $1 trillion , Ars Technica, November 9,2010 (emphasis added)

This is a lot of money, but the pledges at recent climate change meetings seem far less ambitious. But

trillions were quickly made available to tackle the global financial crisis as mentioned further below.

Although alternative energy investment and subsidies seem to be small and at their initial stages, there

may already be signs of payoff; some are finding that solar power is now cheaper than nuclear power —

at least in North Carolina, USA. Some of the factors include the steady decline in costs for solar

photovoltaic systems while projected costs for new nuclear plants continue rising.

As part of a growing trend for renewable energy, many US states are developing offshore wind to

complement solar energy as this is seen as more efficient than large nuclear power plants and fossil fuel

provision. Although the idea of nuclear energy has been more palatable in recent times, this perhaps shows

an alternative energy policy may have its advantages; Iran, for example could be persuaded to pursue this

avenue (as could existing nuclear powers who are large fossil fuel users, too).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted in 2008 that renewable energy contributed

to a huge 12.9% of global primary energy supply in 2008, while nuclear power, for example, contributed

just 2% when comparing the “direct equivalent” of supply. (Oil, gas and coal combined were the rest at

85.1%):

Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 200 Special Report

Renewable Energy Sources (SRREN) — Summary for Policy Makers , IPCC, May 2011, p. 6

Note, without the direct equivalent accounting method used above, nuclear power, for example accounts

for 12 to 13% total world electricity supply but the IPCC explains the use of “direct equivalent” to alsoinclude their heating value so it is primary energy not just electricity. The IPCC noted that renewableenergy contributed approximately 19% of global electricity supply. (p.5)

The vast majority of renewables is biomass, meaning burning wood, using animal dung etc but also

includes commercial production of bioenergy. The IPCC noted that some 60% of biomass is used incooking and heating applications in developing countries though there is rapid increase in using modern

biomass. Compared to global primary energy, however, direct solar energy (0.1%), wind power (0.2%) and

somewhat questionable hydropower (2.3%) are minuscule but use differs significantly in different parts of

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the world.

As the above IPCC report also notes, the costs of renewable energies are declining all the time and will

continue to decline as more and more is deployed. At present, the cost can be higher than other sources of

energy which puts some people off the idea that they could be a viable, large scale alternative to nuclear

power.

However, fossil fuels are increasing in price while the cost of renewables continue to decline and become

more and more competitive, so as the IPCC also urges, it makes economic sense to give it a political pushtoo to help provide a significant boost as there is huge potential although there are still many challenges

ahead.

Those favoring a strict neoliberal economic ideology will argue that the state should not interfere in

markets, yet history shows that the market has hardly ever functioned without the state, and indeed the

state has often been the major reason a market has even appeared. For democratic countries, governments

subsidizing renewable and alternatives could reflect the desires of many of that nation’s constituents. If

fossil fuel companies fear competition, they should (and many are) become more active in this area, but

not stifle important and urgent debate and research.

Nuclear as a suitable alternative to fossil fuels?

Although nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl, or geopolitical issues such as Iran are often cause for

worry when talking of using nuclear energy, recent years have seen an emergent debate about the potential

that nuclear energy offers as a large scale alternative to fossil fuels in a world where energy demands are

rapidly increasing.

For some, the risks associated with the technology are too high and renewable energy is far safer, and has

high potential. For others, nuclear is seen as either an unfortunate reality that will be essential part of the

future mix or an area that has further potential.

When one of the biggest earthquakes on record followed by a devastating tsunami affected Japan in

March 2011, some of the older nuclear power reactors at Fukushima suffered what eventually was realized

as a nuclear meltdown. Of the numerous issues that the disaster raised, nuclear policy became an issue in

many places around the world.

Japan’s nuclear reactors that suffered from the incredibly huge earthquake were the older models. Nuclear

experts point out that the newer designs are much more robust. Many are still worried however. Even if

newer ones are more robust, if an even more powerful earthquake does occur then are those going to be

safe?

Civil society started to debate nuclear power in Japan more. Japan had about 30% of its electricity from

nuclear power and had originally planned to increase that to 50%. However, given the growing concerns in

the wake of the impacts at Fukushima, in May, Japan announced a change in strategy: abandon plans for

half of Japan’s electricity to come from nuclear and instead look to renewables such as solar and wind

energy .

But this has also got other regions around the world thinking about their nuclear energy strategies, too.

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For example,

Many countries in Europe have been rethinking nuclear policies , Inter Press Service (IPS) notes.Germany in particular (more below). France, more reliant on nuclear power than any other country,

has so far felt no need to change its nuclear power policy though antinuclear voices are growing

louder. There are concerns about the use of nuclear power in seismic zones in some EU countries

such as Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovenia.

Italy — the only leading industrialized country without nuclear energy — also suspended its previous

plans to build new nuclear power plants.

IPS also noted that the European Union’ announcement that it will be carrying out stress tests on all143 nuclear reactors in operation in the member countries. These tests could lead to shutting down

several nuclear power plants, if needed.

Germany has been profoundly affected by Fukushima, IPS also adds.After the Japan catastrophe, some 60,000 people gathered in an antinuclear demonstration

at the oldest nuclear power plant, in Berlin. Many thousands demonstrated on other days,

too.

Previous ruling parties had decided to phase out nuclear power, but Angela Merkel’s

government had always stated it would overrule it if it came into power and it did so last

September.

Another IPS report notes that a large number of environmental and energy experts have saidthat Germany could do without nuclear power by the mid 2020s and generate all its electricity

needs from renewables by 2050 .

In midMarch, Germany “stunned” the world when announcing an accelerated phasing out of

all 17 German nuclear reactors as an immediate reaction to the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

The chancellor now says she wants to slash the use of coal, speed up approvals for renewable

energy investments, and reduce CO2 emissions drastically.

(Perhaps it is not as surprising as it first seems, as back in 2009 IPS noted that half of allGermany’s nuclear reactors had technical problems at some point in July 2009, failing to

provide any electricity, but Germany did not suffer any power shortages as it produces

more than it uses.)

France gets 80% of its electricity from nuclear power, more than any other nation in the world. But

in the wake of Fukushima, the French press, traditionally a supporter of nuclear power noted that in

the previous year alone, there were over 1,000 accidents of different intensity in the France’s atomic

power plants. . In addition, several French nuclear power plants are located in seismic zones as the

previous IPS story notes. Given France’s dependency on nuclear power, it defends the use of it fornow. Aging power plants are coming under more scrutiny now, however. Some experts there also

believe that a combination of turning to renewals, while addressing wasteful and superfluous

consumption could help reduce nuclear dependency.

The US is also beginning to debate if it could handle a similar nuclear disaster . It is a large

producer of nuclear power, and for now has put aside calls for a moratorium on nuclear power

development in favor strengthening and assuring the public of the safety of its nuclear power plants.

Philippines President Benigno Aquino has rejected the need for nuclear energy in his country in

the wake of the crisis unfolding in Japan. Aquino wants a greater push towards nonnuclear energy

sources, according to the Philippines media. The same article also notes that China, Thailand and

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPUl-50u-Uw



Villagers oppo…Video: Villagers oppose India’s nuclear

park , Al Jazeera, March 20, 2011

Indonesia are all being more cautious in light of the events in Japan.

Others, however, are still interested in going ahead with nuclear power as many countries still see it as a

way to reduce carbon emissions. Australia, as a major uranium exporter, is therefore keen to capitalize on

this continued demand for nuclear power .

As IPS also added, prior to the Japanese radiation emergency,the IAEA anticipated that up to 25 countries that do not have a

nuclear power station at present would have access to the

technology by 2030. How many will still go for it, and to what extent is of course less clear now. Some

nations still interested in the option to aggressively expand nuclear power plants (though still announcing

more caution) include India , Vietnam, and a much more cautious Thailand and Indonesia .

During the initial media blitz as people at Fukushima were going through various attempts to stabilize the

situation, various nuclear experts appeared on television noting that newer power plants are much more

modern than the ones suffering the most in Fukushima and that in some parts of the world that are not in

earthquake zones, nuclear power remains a viable option.

That being said, as The Guardian has implied, if the 3 and 4 largest economies in the world (Japan and

Germany) can rethink nuclear power to such an extent and entertain renewables at a much larger scale,

then maybe so can many others .

But as by the IPCC report mentioned earlier, the transition to renewables also brings with it challenges,including technical, social, economic, political and geopolitical ones.

New resources for alternative energy; same old geopolitics?

Automakers are looking into the next generation electric or hybrid cars. The main resource for the battery

would be lithium, already used in smaller electronic devices and far more efficient and longerlasting than

regular batteries.

Almost half the world’s lithium is found in Bolivia, and as The Seattle Times notes, Bolivia is reluctant togive up lithium resources too easily .

Bolivia and the US have had thorny relations as the democratically elected socialist and indigenous leader,

Evo Morales, has nationalized oil and gas companies , much to the disappointment of the US, and with

general support from his population as he attempts to slowly develop the extremely poor nation.

This means that the European Union and Japan have been trying to court Bolivia in the hopes they can

invest in lithium extraction.

But as this PBS video highlights, geopolitics are again the concern; Bolivia fears that others will exploit it

for rich resources, just as most resourcerich nations have been plundered/exploited in the past. It may be

that this time the exploitation may not be as violent as during imperial and colonial times, but resource

rich/economicallypoor nations like Bolivia are understandably hesitant to give up a valuable resource

without local benefits.

So it seems that Bolivia is trying hard to understand the resource more and possibly develop local capacity

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so that it is not just a raw resource provider, but can go further and process the resources, with much if notall proceeds helping local populations:

Video: In Bolivia, debate over natural resources rages on , PBS, April 17, 2009

Here is an additional video (in Spanish, with English captioning) that also looks at this issue:

Video: As Cars Go Green, Bolivia Hits the Jackpot with Lithium , Video Journalism Movement,

November 5, 2009

Local renewable energy reduces violence yet may be a threatto governments

One of the interesting aspects to alternatives to fossil fuels is if any of those alternatives can by generated

by citizens themselves or in more localized settings, rather than relying on governments or massive

industry to supply such alternatives.

If that were to happen, it implies enormous political change. This is summarized quite well by the following

article that looks at the implication of Cold Fusion becoming reality (ignoring the debate and controversy

about Cold Fusion claims for the moment):

Suddenly, certain areas of the world that have built up economies based on oil production

would become less important. These areas might suffer economically. However, it would

take a period of time for the world to transition to a cold fusion based economy and these

nations would have years to prepare.

The “powers that be” also might not like the idea that this technology could give

individuals, communities, cities, states, and small countries energy independence. Cheap

energy represents unlimited wealth and wealth brings power. The powers that be do not

like sharing power. A technology that could give people the ability to live “off the grid”,

start self sufficient communities, or liberate themselves from oppressive central

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governments might be considered a threat.

This technology literally gives power to the people. How will the governments of the world

respond to that?

— Hank Mills, Future Impact of Rossi’s Cold Fusion , Pure Energy Systems News, February 28, 2011

Writing just before the mideast unrest started to take hold of mainstream attention at the beginning of

2011, Phil Champain wrote in openDemocracy.net that centralized energy production contributes to

violence and instability:

Elite capture of oil and gas revenues keeps power in the hands of an unaccountable few; the

withholding of oil and gas supplies enables some states to manipulate others; and the

extraction of resources is sometimes only possible if large numbers of people are forcibly

moved from their homes. These and other factors can lead to violence and instability,

inhibiting development and security for vulnerable communities.

… It is by no means certain … that … new, large scale renewable projects will benefit the

peace and development prospects of countries already exposed to vulnerability, conflict

and weak governance.

There are, by comparison, smallscale renewable energy projects, from farm biogas to

minihydro to thermal solar power. [Solar power] is essentially limitless and so, in a

concentrated form under local control with falling costs, becomes affordable, accessible,

and likely to reduce pressures which give rise to violence. However, the relationship

between small scale models of energy provision and the ability of states and communities

to manage tension and violence also needs further research and exploration.

Now is the time to explore these links.

…

— Phil Champain, Changing energy provision – a peacebuilding opportunity? , openDemocracy.net, 3January 2011

And if these alternatives are not explored?

The cost of not taking this opportunity is likely to be a continuation of systems of energy

provision which privilege the northern hemisphere over the south, which deny large

sections of the world’s population access to electricity and other forms of energy, which

leave the populations of conflict affected countries vulnerable to authoritarian masters,

unenlightened energy companies and the increasingly energy hungry states of the north,

and which make little contribution to the governance challenges the world faces. This

despite the key role energy plays in the development of our societies.

— Phil Champain, Changing energy provision – a peacebuilding opportunity? , openDemocracy.net, 3January 2011

It was thought that the global financial crisis and climate change was a “perfect storm” to kick start an

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earnest look into alternative energy. There has certainly be an increase in recent years into this, but now

the unrest in the middle east surely adds to the importance of this issue.

More Information

Many people have recently asked me to write about this topic, and unfortunately lack of spare time has

prevented me from writing about this sooner. At the same time, the above is woefully short as there is

much more that can be written. However, related issues—including many issues touched upon above—have

been discussed on this site for some time, so until I get some time to write about this important topic in

more depth, please see the following pages and sections:

Where next?

Related articles

1. Climate Change and Global Warming Introduction

2. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

3. Reactions to Climate Change Negotiations and Action

4. Action on climate change is cheaper than inaction

5. Global Warming, Spin and Media

6. Climate Justice and Equity

7. Climate Change Flexibility Mechanisms

8. Carbon Sinks, Forests and Climate Change

9. Climate Change Affects Biodiversity

10. Global Warming and Population

Online Sources:

(Note that listed here are only those hyperlinks to other articles from other web sites or elsewhere on this

web site. Other sources such as journal, books and magazines, are mentioned above in the original text.

Please also note that links to external sites are beyond my control. They might become unavailable

temporarily or permanently since you read this, depending on the policies of those sites, which I cannot

unfortunately do anything about.)

1. Global Issues: “Free Trade and Globalization”, Last updated: Sunday, March 24, 2013,

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/38/freetradeandglobalization

2. http://en.jyskebank.tv/012869756391072/oilandthedeathofglobalization

3. Global Issues: “Global Financial Crisis”, Last updated: Sunday, March 24, 2013,

http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/globalfinancialcrisis

4. Global Issues: “Control of Resources; Supporting Dictators, Rise of Terrorism”, Last updated:

Monday, December 30, 2002,

http://www.globalissues.org/article/260/controlofresourcessupportingdictatorsriseof

terrorism

5. Global Issues: “Nigeria and Oil”, Last updated: Thursday, June 10, 2010,

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http://www.globalissues.org/article/260/control-of-resources-supporting-dictators-rise-of-terrorism

http://www.globalissues.org/print/article/710



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http://www.globalissues.org/article/86/nigeriaandoil

6. Global Issues: “Iraq Crisis”, Last updated: Wednesday, August 01, 2007,

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/104/iraqcrisis

7. Global Issues: “Iran”, Last updated: Tuesday, December 06, 2011,

http://www.globalissues.org/article/696/iran

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http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumptionandconsumerism

13. Global Issues: “Global Warming and Population”, Last updated: Sunday, December 05, 2010,

http://www.globalissues.org/article/708/globalwarmingandpopulation

14. Global Issues: “Climate Justice and Equity”, Last updated: Sunday, January 08, 2012,

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15. http://www.cseindia.org/

16. http://www.cseindia.org/html/cmp/climate/ew/index.htm

17. Global Issues: “Human Population”, Last updated: Thursday, June 13, 2002,

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/198/humanpopulation

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http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumptionandconsumerism

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http://www.globalissues.org/video/746/hermannscheerbigenergyslaststand

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Note, if the above link has expired, please try the following alternative locations:Actual report

http://www.ncwarn.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/07/NCWSolarReport_final1.pdf

Coverage and further details from the New York Times

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http://www.globalissues.org/article/403/media-propaganda-and-venezuela

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/09/ipccrenewableenergypower

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http://www.globalissues.org/article/39/aprimeronneoliberalism

28. Global Issues: “Iran”, Last updated: Tuesday, December 06, 2011,


29. Global Issues: “Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Crisis”, Created: Wednesday, April 06,

2011,

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April 21, 2011,

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http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/04/21/9362

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/10/japannuclearrenewables

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2011


Alternative location for the Inter Press Service story


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPUl-50u-Uw







by Anup ShahCreated: Saturday, April 01, 2006

Last Updated: Sunday, May 15, 2011




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http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideastnorthafricaunrest

“Live life simply so that others may simply live” — Gandhi

© Copyright 1998–2015

Document Revision History

Date Reason

May 15,

2011

Added a small note about renewable energy as a reasonable percent of global energy sources,

and a new section on nuclear option especially in wake of the Japan disaster

March 6,

2011

Added a section on the political implications of alternative energy solutions that could be

generated directly by people rather than governments and industry

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/video/share.html?s=news01s24cbq8a7

http://www.vjmovement.com/truth/415



http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/may/11/nuclear-renewables-japan-germany

http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideast-north-africa-unrest

http://www.opendemocracy.net/phil-champain/changing-energy-provision-%E2%80%93-peacebuilding-opportunity


http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideast-north-africa-unrest

http://www.globalissues.org/about/550/copyright-information

http://pesn.com/2011/02/28/9501774_Future_Impact_of_Rossis_Cold_Fusion/

http://www.opendemocracy.net/phil-champain/changing-energy-provision-%E2%80%93-peacebuilding-opportunity

http://www.democracynow.org/2007/9/26/bolivian_president_evo_morales_on_indigenous

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008700362_lithium03.html



2011 generated directly by people rather than governments and industry

December

11, 2010Added section and video on oil’s relationship to globalization

August 8,

2010Added small note that solar power is getting to be cheaper than nuclear power

November

20, 2009Added an additional video about Bolivia’s lithium reserves

May 4,

2009Added a section on Bolivia’s concern about exploitation for its large lithium reserves

October 3,

2007

Added a short video clip from Hermann Scheer who argues that the reason why many still

think renewable energy cannot replace fossil and nuclear power is because those working in

these industries have made efforts to propagate the notion.

February

1, 2007

Added a bit about a possible new geopolitical cold war based on energy security of current and

emerging powers

December

17, 2006

Small update on the increasing interest in nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuelbased

energy

This print version has been autogenerated from

http://www.globalissues.org/article/595/energysecurity

http://www.globalissues.org/article/595/energy-security

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