tamperfinderThe G-20 is an international gathering of the world’s leading industrialized and emerging economies. This forum includes countries representing 85% of global GDP, three-quarters of global commerce, and almost two-thirds of the world’s population. Summits are held in the host nation every year. The G-20 is presently presided over by India and presented views based on the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future’ during the summit in Delhi in the second week of September 2023. There is little doubt that the renewable energy industry is becoming a driving force in the implementation of the G-20 policy. Many debates and conversations have taken place to reach this aim. The advancement of technology and the concept of the globe moving to a ‘Single Grid’ pave the way for this aim.
One Earth, One Family, One Future
A vision of global unity and collaboration capable of overcoming the difficulties we confront as a planet is implicit in this vision. Renewable energy plays a key part in achieving the vision of one earth, one family, and one future by encouraging sustainability, tackling climate change, and raising public awareness on the subject, consequently enhancing interdependence between people and nations.
What is renewable energy?
We can’t even imagine life without energy. Electricity is the most widely utilised type of energy. Most nations, including India, rely heavily on thermal power plants to generate electricity. That is, electricity is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, naphtha, crude oil, and so on. When they are burned, gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and others are released into the atmosphere as air pollution. Power plants and automobiles account for 65 per cent of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that have a lifespan of millions of years. Renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, play an important role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change and are considered a clean and sustainable source of energy due to their low environmental impact.
Excessive reliance on fossil fuels is harmful to the environment. This emphasises the importance of non-fossil energy sources such as solar and wind energy. Renewable energy sources are those sourced from natural resources and regenerated at a faster rate than used. Sunlight and wind are two examples of renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy sources are prevalent all around us. The sun is regarded as the sole sustainable source of energy on which man and all other living beings may eventually rely. Even if the intensity of solar energy hitting the atmosphere is absorbed in a variety of ways, around 1kw/m3 (860cal/hr) is reachable on Earth. Renewable energy, which may be generated at a low cost, provides three times as much employment as fossil fuels in most nations.
Pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels like coal and oil accounts for more than 75% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Over the next three decades, significant growth in this sector is necessary to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change, including biodiversity loss and desertification.
Why Renewable Energy?
- Fossil fuels are the primary source of energy for six billion people throughout the world. However, renewable energy sources abound all around us.
- Renewable energy is the world’s cheapest source of energy now.
- Renewable energy has the potential to almost entirely decarbonize the world’s electrical sector by 2050. These resources may be used not just to avoid over-dependence on fossil fuels, but also to alleviate poverty, diversify the economy, promote inclusive growth, and create jobs.
- Atmospheric pollution exists on a global scale but at varying degrees.
- By 2030, attaining net-zero emissions, resulting in greater employment prospects in the energy industry. It is estimated that more than 30 million jobs will be created in the renewable energy sector and related industries, such as efficiency gains and low-pollution technologies.
Sustainability and Environmental Management:
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass are more sustainable and have a lesser environmental effect than biofuels. Energy generation from such sources contributes to the preservation of natural ecosystems and fosters a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the Earth. There is no need to elaborate on the importance of solar energy, which is abundant in nature.
Lack of energy availability hinders the economic development and better quality of life of people in developing countries. The international community has now generally recognised that low-cost, renewable energy generation is important to poverty reduction. Article 21, included in Part III of the Constitution, protects one of Indians’ most basic rights: the right to life and personal dignity. Electricity is an essential component of India’s constitutionally guaranteed right to life.
Economic Opportunities and Poverty Alleviation.
The renewable energy sector offers huge economic opportunities. Investments in clean energy sectors can create jobs and reduce poverty, especially in developing countries.
Climate Change: Resilience and Adaptation.
From changing weather patterns that threaten food production to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Extreme weather events are now common. To counter this, reliance on renewable energy sources ensures a sustainable energy supply. It helps the world community adapt to changing climate conditions.
Educational and Cultural Exchange.
The use of renewable energy technology encourages educational activities and cultural interactions. Sharing related information and experiences helps the global community to collaborate for a more sustainable future and contributes to a better understanding of the benefits of various energy sources.
In a nutshell, renewable energy embodies the concept of “One Earth-One Family-One Future” by encouraging sustainability, global collaboration, social justice, economic development, climatic resilience, and cultural exchange. By embracing every renewable energy sector available, we can build a brighter future for everybody, and Earth can become the one family it deserves.
One Earth, One Family, One Future
The notion of one world planet was a key subject at the G-20 conference in Delhi. The energy sector has a lot to offer in this area. Solar radiation reaches different parts of the globe at different times. Not only is radiation received 24 hours a day someplace on Earth, but it is almost equal. However, if only one location is considered, the radiation intensity is higher during some afternoon hours and lower at others. If it is a single grid, the power available will be non-fluctuating and available at all times equally. Thus, regional impact in international power relations is a barrier to coordinating and developing the renewable energy sector all over the world. Each country is separated globally one by one. The fundamental reason why solar energy is not a stable source of energy is Geopolitics, which is an impediment to the realisation of the notion of one grid and hence one world country.
G-20 Concerns
Even if the environment is uncertain, solar energy is a reliable source of energy for mankind. If geopolitics can be overcome, solar energy can be a driving factor in making the vision of a global grid a reality. This type of operation necessitates the establishment of common Load Despatch Centres. Such technological issues have a direct impact on the worldwide political environment. While Saudi Arabia, India, and the United States are all participants in this project, each has its own set of political interests and conditions. Even minor issues generated by any country might have a worldwide impact.
The power grid of a country is stable in nature, with mainly technical issues occurring. However, minor political disagreements (political blunders) will generate major issues in the global grid. If energy economics and technology are impacting the grid now, geopolitics and political disagreements will be key elements when it reaches the status of a global grid. This might produce a slew of issues in a single country’s system. Some countries may opt out of this. As a result, if a country abruptly withdraws from a technically linked system, it may result in a blackout. The establishment of a political structure and mechanism to deal with such crises is something to accomplish. The G-20 is now a venue for diverse countries to coordinate. When it comes to deciding a country’s energy strategy and controlling the global grid, the G20 should have the upper hand. Structural systems are required for the global grid to become a reality, as well as for India to achieve the lofty goal of one world. Furthermore, there should be clear criteria for the phase-out of all harmful fossil fuels, including oil and gas. More efforts are required to hasten the phase-out of uncontrolled coal generation.(tamperfinder)
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