Energy transformation...the basic pillar of sustainable development
Energy transformation..The basic pillar of sustainable development
Fossil fuelswere the backbone of the first three industrial revolutions, as many inventions, discoveries and new industrial methods opened the door to fossil fuels, to be a primary source of energy in most industrial and service sectors, which in turn led to an era of progress and development in the last century that humanity had not witnessed throughout its entire history.
Despite the pivotal role that fossil fuels play in the renaissance and progress of humanity, this role has not prevented researchers from tracking the effects of the use of all types of fossil fuels, and examining how this can affect the environment and its natural balance. To shed light on the dark side of the use of fossil fuels, and to raise voices - especially in recent years - in what is known as “Energy Transition”.
In the special file for this issue of Earth Guards magazine, which we titled “Energy Transformation...the Basic Pillar of Sustainable Development” - we discuss with you in detail the concept of energy transformation, what we mean by it, what its importance is, and how we can achieve it. We will prepare for this by reviewing the history of the use of fossil fuels, and the harmful effects of increased reliance on them, especially in the last century.
Our choice of the topic “Energy Transition” in the September 2023 issue comes a few weeks before the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the summit that many are counting on to reach an agreement that obliges all parties to gradually get rid of dependence on fossil fuels, although some people see this agreement as an impossible dream to achieve.
This summit comes in light of a severe discrepancy in visions and trends, and a conflict of interests between the camp of the oil-producing countries and the countries that use it the most on the one hand, and the camp of the countries most affected by climate change on the other hand. Perhaps in this special file we can present to you a clearer picture that will enable you to understand the current global scene of energy use, in light of the recurring crises the world is suffering from, the most recent of which was the Russian-Ukrainian war.
What are fossil fuels?
Fossil fuel - as the name suggests - is the fuel that was formed in the layers of the earth as a result of the accumulation of the remains of living organisms, including animals and plants (fossils) over the ages. Due to pressure, temperature, and the absence of oxygen, these remains decomposed chemically and biologically, and became hydrocarbon compounds (mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen), which can be burned to generate energy.
Fossil fuels exist in three forms of matter. We find them solid in coal, gaseous in natural gas, and liquid in petroleum. Each country has its share - whether in type or quantity - of the accumulation of fossil fuels, and over time, with the increase in discoveries and exploration work, some countries have the largest share of fossil fuel production, and this is in light of the growing global dependence on various types of fossil fuels in various areas of life.
The use of fossil fuels began - contrary to what many may imagine - dozens of centuries ago, as humans used coal as a source of heating and fuel in many civilizations. However, the heavy reliance on fossil fuels did not begin - perhaps - until the nineteenth century, coinciding with the great renaissance that the world witnessed in the industrial and service sectors during the first and second industrial revolutions.
Fossil fuels fall under non-renewable energy sources, and are responsible for more than 80% of total global energy use. This is in addition to the fact that the hydrocarbon derivatives produced by fossil fuels are included in many important vital industries, such as: the fertilizer industry and the plastics industry.
This great global dependence on fossil fuels is due to the fact that they are always available. It represents - whether coal, oil or gas - a practical and easy source for obtaining the energy needed for various uses, from aviation and vehicle fuel to lighting and heating homes. Fossil fuels have been able to establish themselves over the past two centuries as a major driver in the world’s development and growth.
Fossil fuels are also characterized by their high heat content compared to other types of fuel, and by heat content we mean the amount of energy that can be obtained from burning one kilogram of fuel, and they are burned very efficiently most of the time. Add to this the supply chains that have become faster and stronger than ever before.
Based on the above, we can say that humanity has fallen into the trap of fossil fuels. Despite all attempts to find renewable and environmentally friendly alternatives, fossil fuels are still the most reliable and widespread source of energy, but in recent decades voices have become louder about the devastating environmental effects of total dependence on them, especially with international efforts related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were approved in 2015.
Why does the environment hate fossil fuels?
When fossil fuels are burned to obtain energy, large quantities of gases are released, the most dangerous of which is carbon dioxide, which represents the largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions into the air. These gases act as a blanket that wraps around our atmosphere, causing what is known as global warming, which causes the Earth’s temperature to rise above normal levels, which is called “climate change.”
To approximate the term climate change and how it occurs, we say: The sun emits a continuous stream of short-wave ultraviolet rays, which find their way into the Earth’s atmosphere. However, clouds and atmospheric particles can reflect a small percentage of these rays back into space, while the remaining rays penetrate the atmosphere and from there to the surface of the Earth, where they are absorbed. It is then re-emitted - by the Earth - as long-wave radiation (infrared radiation).
These long-wave infrared rays find their way into space in a barrier made up of greenhouse gas molecules in the lower layer of the atmosphere. These molecules absorb infrared waves and then re-emit them randomly, which means that a large portion of them bounces back to Earth instead of being discharged into space. Therefore, the more Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) there are, the greater the warming.
But some of us may wonder: Why do these Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) not escape from the lower layer of the atmosphere (the troposphere), like other gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, which migrate to the upper layers of the atmosphere, and then some of them escape into outer space? The answer is that greenhouse gas molecules have higher molecular weights; Consequently, it becomes trapped under the force of Earth’s gravity, and is unable to escape except at very weak rates, which means it accumulates in the atmosphere.
In this context, and when taking into account that fossil fuels are primarily and largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions; We will be able to understand - easily - why the environment hates fossil fuels.
The direct contribution of fossil fuels to climate change necessarily means their responsibility for many serious natural disasters, such as sea level rise, drought, forest fires, land degradation, and loss of natural habitats.
To put the above in numbers, the main types of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) have a significant contribution to global climate change, as their burning results in more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and they are also responsible for releasing up to 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions, according to United Nations statistics.
Therefore, we will not exaggerate when we say: Fossil fuels are a major cause of the environmental and climate plight that the planet has been experiencing in recent decades, and their gradual elimination is necessary to preserve our ecosystems and ensure the achievement of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The other aspect that many people ignore when discussing the effects of fossil fuels on the environment is the process of extracting fossil fuels itself. Just as the process of burning the various types of these fuels releases Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), the process of extracting them represents a serious environmental problem. Perhaps many of the disasters resulting from petroleum extraction operations - the most prominent of which in the past two decades was the “Deepwater Horizon” environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico - are still fresh in people’s minds. Now.
Oil exploration may also lead to disruption of ecosystems, whether on land or marine, as the techniques used to explore for oil and gas on the ocean floor often have a harmful effect on fish and marine mammals, while drilling oil wells on land usually requires clearing the exploration area of its vegetation.
Clean and Renewable Energy
The growing awareness of the dangers of heavy reliance on fossil fuels and its devastating environmental effects - as we explained - has opened the door to many types of clean energy, as it is a cleaner and gradually more reliable option, and solar energy and wind energy are perhaps the most famous of these types.
Clean energy includes a wide range of energy types, but all of these types have one thing in common, which is environmental impacts that are less severe than fossil fuels. Among them, several types have emerged in recent years, such as: solar energy - wind energy - green hydrogen - biofuels.
Clean and renewable energy types work to provide energy needs in various sectors and industries, either by generating electricity or by clean burning of green fuels. Thus, reducing greenhouse gas emissions - especially carbon dioxide - very significantly, and reducing the phenomenon of global warming.
Renewable energy, in particular, offers itself as a friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and we discuss below the most prominent types of clean and renewable energy.
1- Solar Energy
The idea of using solar energy is to convert solar radiation into electricity that can be stored and utilized, and this is through the use of solar panels. This technology has received a great deal of attention, research and development over the past two decades.
The advantages of solar energy include the low need for maintenance, the versatility of uses and applications, and the lack of need for any other type of energy to operate the stations. However, it has significant disadvantages, such as: the high cost of construction and start of operation, and requiring large areas of land to operate giant stations, and it also has negative environmental impacts related to the processes of manufacturing solar cells themselves, in addition to this, the limited recycling of these cells.
2- Wind Energy
Wind energy depends on converting kinetic energy into electricity, which is made possible by using wind mills, which exploit the speed of the air to move their blades connected to an electric generator that produces energy.
Wind energy is considered a promising energy and the cleanest type of renewable energy, and it does not exploit vast areas of land like solar energy. However, wind mills can pose a danger to some species of migratory birds, in addition to the noise pollution that results from their operation, in addition to construction costs, and the reliance on wind to generate energy. Where: “No wind, no power.”
3- Earth Energy
Geothermal energy, also known as geothermal energy, is one of the clean and renewable sources that relies on the high temperatures that exist - naturally - in the ground, where systems can be operated that exploit this heat to generate steam; This steam then rotates a turbine connected to a generator to generate electricity.
Ground energy is a renewable and promising source that can cover all of our planet’s energy needs for thousands of years. However, like anything else, it carries a number of disadvantages, the most prominent of which is selectivity in choosing the place. Not all parts of the Earth are suitable for generating ground energy. Add to this the release of trapped ground gases resulting from drilling operations, the stimulation of earthquakes, and finally the large cost of establishing stations.
4- Bioenergy
Bioenergy we mean the energy that is generated or produced from biomass, and by biomass we mean all organic materials that have stored solar radiation in the form of chemical energy, such as wood and some crops, such as corn, soybeans, sugar cane, agricultural waste, livestock manure, and other forms from which energy can be generated. This biomass can also be converted into other forms of energy, such as methane and biodiesel.
Bioenergy - also called biofuel - is, of course, considered one of the main renewable energy sources. However, if reliance on it increases, it could pose a threat to the agricultural area, and this is the result of constantly growing specific types of crops. Consequently, the soil deteriorates. It can also lead to a threat to global food security. Because of its dependence on some crops for energy production, such as corn and soybeans for energy production, in addition to its significant environmental footprint; Due to the consumption of large amounts of water and fertilizers.
5- Hydropower
This type of energy can be generated by exploiting the movement of water to move turbines connected to electrical generators, as is the case in dams built over rivers, the purpose of which is - usually - to generate electricity using the energy of the movement of water flow, and sometimes by exploiting the potential energy of the water, where it is raised using pumps to a certain level, then lowered onto turbines connected to electrical generators to generate electricity.
The obstacle to increasing reliance on hydropower lies in the cost of establishing - which is a high cost - its stations, in addition to relying on the availability of suitable water sources for power generation, in addition to the fact that power generation is limited by the characteristics of water flow in each region.
6- Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is receiving great attention; Because it can represent a clean source of energy, as its combustion process is very clean and only produces water vapor and oxygen, and the great research and development efforts in this field have opened the doors to the production of green hydrogen from sources such as sea water, which may represent an endless source of clean energy in various applications.
The current obstacle to relying on green hydrogen is that the process of producing it - in itself - consumes large amounts of energy, and the electrolysis cells used in producing hydrogen from water do not yet have the required efficiency, in addition to their limited production capacity at the present time.
The negative impact of energy transformation
The widespread fame enjoyed by renewable and clean energy sources as the savior of humanity and its savior from the teeth of fossil fuels has made many people unaware of the environmental impact that will result from the “energy transition” as a result of relying on renewable and clean energy sources, some of which we mentioned in the previous title.
In this year’s January issue, we highlighted a study published last November in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” discussing the environmental impacts resulting from the energy transformation process. This unique study shed light on an important and forgotten aspect, which is the negative environmental impact of relying on clean energy on a large scale.
We must realize that the process of energy transformation - in itself - will generate huge carbon emissions, as the construction of wind mills, solar power plants and other new infrastructure are all processes that consume energy, a large part of which will necessarily come from the fossil fuels that we seek to get rid of.
But the good news here is that if this new infrastructure for renewable energy sources can be put to work quickly, these emissions will decrease significantly; Because generating more renewable energy early will mean far less fossil fuels to complete the energy transition.
Researchers estimate that the green transition will produce 185 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2100. This alone is equivalent to five or six years of current global emissions, a very heavy burden on an already suffering atmosphere.
Moreover, the researchers point out that all of their estimates may be too low; Because they do not take into account the necessary raw materials, nor the construction mechanisms required to make new electricity transmission lines, nor the giant batteries that will be used to store electricity in renewable energy plants.
In addition to the above, the environmental impact of replacing current gasoline and diesel vehicles with electric ones, or making existing buildings more energy efficient, was not calculated; All of them are processes that consume resources, as well as energy.
Therefore, we can say: It is difficult to determine all the negative effects that will result from the energy transition, but an objective view of the matter indicates that these effects will be large. Because the transition to renewable energy resources requires a large number of new high-tech equipment and devices, which will require huge quantities of basic metals, including copper, iron, and nickel, and will also increase the demand for rare elements that were less used in the past, such as: lithium, cobalt, yttrium, and neodymium.
It is likely that many of these aforementioned raw materials come from places with fragile environments that have not yet been reached by human hands, including the deep sea, African forests, and the rapidly melting Greenland region. Solar panels and wind turbines will directly consume vast areas of land, with potentially negative impacts on ecosystems.
The process of green transformation (energy transformation) may not be green in itself. Despite the inevitability of energy transformation in order to reduce emissions and limit global warming, implementing this transformation slowly will have a significant impact on the rates of emissions generated during the various stages of the transformation. Therefore, it is important to adopt policies that accelerate the green transformation process, and to study the environmental impacts in depth. To reduce any harm to the environment.
Transformation barriersEnergy
The prominent types of renewable and clean energy - which we explained in the previous lines - have defects. These defects represent an obstacle to relying on any type completely, between the high cost, geographical and temporal conditions, and technical and cognitive limits. There is still a long way to go until we can rely fully on renewable and clean energy.
The truth of the matter is that fossil fuels provide the cheapest options for meeting energy needs at the present time, especially the most polluting types such as coal, and the infrastructure for extracting, refining, processing and transporting fossil fuels is advanced in most countries that produce and use them. Therefore, there is no need to provide huge investments to establish and develop this infrastructure, unlike renewable and clean energy alternatives, which need huge investments to expand their infrastructure.
In contrast to renewable energy, fossil fuels are always available, and are not bound by temporal or spatial boundaries. Oil extracted from a country like Saudi Arabia can be transported at any time to be used in China, while the same cannot be applied to solar energy or wind energy, for example, as the generation of renewable energy types is linked to the geographical nature and climatic conditions of each place.
All of the above may become forgotten over time; Energy transformation is like many technologies that have appeared previously. Many of them began on a limited scale and faced many obstacles and challenges. However, through research and development, these technologies have become an essential pillar of our daily lives. But the biggest obstacle in humanity's path to energy transformation is humans themselves.
To understand the scene, it is worth noting that the fossil fuel industry is perhaps the largest industry on Earth, with investments amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars, giant companies with economic and political influence, and countries for whom fossil fuels represent the hen that lays golden eggs.
We must also be aware that the boundaries of the fossil fuel industry do not stop at selling energy only - this energy is represented by oil, coal and gas - but rather include the manufacture of petrochemicals, plastics, fibers, textiles, rubber, fertilizers, and others. All of them are industries in which the fossil fuels cannot be replaced by any other alternatives.
This reality has, over time, created regional and international entities and alliances that support and defend this industry with full force. These entities also have a presence and influence in global forums and summits, even those concerned with the environment such as the COP climate summits. Consequently, it has become an integral part of global decision-making, which explains why no binding agreement to limit fossil fuels has been adopted to this day.
In addition to the above, the giant industrial countries - which are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, such as America and China - refuse to be a party to any binding agreement related to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. To ensure the prosperity of its industrial sectors in a way that achieves the national agenda of each country, and this is certainly a major challenge. Given the enormous political influence of these large industrialized countries.
Therefore, mixing and balancing between fossil fuels and renewable and clean energy alternatives is pivotal to reaching common ground that we can work on together. To set logical, measurable and achievable goals.
Gradual and balanced transformation
Energy transition is undoubtedly the cornerstone of sustainable development; Because of its wide-ranging effects that can contribute to achieving the various seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and so that achieving the energy transformation does not become a platonic dream that we pursue and do not realize, it must be a gradual and balanced transformation.
The starting point here must arise from full awareness that fossil fuels currently exist and are relied upon, and this may remain the case for many decades to come. But what can we do to reduce this in a way that takes into account practical, economic, political and geographical aspects? Perhaps this is the question that we must all participate in answering.
The gradual and balanced transition to relying on renewable energy alternatives and abandoning fossil fuels can be divided into four main axes, which are the axes indicated by the United Nations as the most important axes to begin relying on clean and renewable energy sources.
1- Clean energy for all
Currently, renewable energy alternatives are viewed as an exclusive option for the rich, whether at the level of governments or individuals. Therefore, we need to spread awareness and knowledge of everything related to renewable energy technologies, and make this knowledge available to everyone, while removing restrictions related to intellectual property.
If this is achieved, the basic technologies for energy storage units - and the manufacture of batteries for renewable energy systems - will become available to individuals and companies in various countries of the world. Thus, the stations become smarter and more efficient, which will allow greater reliance on them over time.
2- Providing raw materials
Renewable energy technologies certainly require large quantities of various raw materials, especially metals. The latter represents an essential and necessary element in supporting the renewable energy industry, such as solar panels, wind mills, and others. Therefore, providing the necessary resources is crucial on our way to the energy transition.
But each country - as we know - is distinguished by its wealth of specific raw materials, which means that there is a basic need for coordination on a global level to distribute investments fairly in different countries. To extract these raw materials legally and humanely, as well as distribute financing for renewable energy infrastructure, support research, development and training, and build the necessary supply chains.
3- Domestic Adoption
Sufficiency in coordination between countries regarding the extraction of raw materials and the distribution of investments will not be enough. Without the presence of a local legislative framework in each country that encourages the renewable energy industry, collective global efforts may not bear fruit in many countries.
Measures for local adoption of renewable energy include enacting legislation that speeds up and facilitates the process of obtaining permits for renewable energy projects, and allocating the necessary land for these projects at competitive prices, with a national time frame that sets goals for each country regarding the gradual elimination of fossil fuels.
4- Providing financial support
All of the above will have no meaning if there is not sufficient support to accelerate the pace of the energy transition, which is the support that the fossil fuel industry has received - and is still receiving; About $5.9 trillion was spent - according to International Monetary Fund statistics - to support the fossil fuel industry in 2020 alone, in the form of tax exemptions or pumping new investments.
This huge support that the fossil fuel industry receives must be gradually shifted to renewable and clean energy, especially in the most vulnerable and poorest communities around the world, as studies indicate that at least $4 trillion must be provided annually to support the energy transition until 2030; This will enable us to achieve the goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
The forgotten aspect here is that investing in supporting the renewable energy industry is a dual-impact investment. On the one hand, it contributes to meeting our basic energy needs instead of fossil fuels, and on the other hand, it contributes to reducing the environmental bill resulting from the use of fossil fuels, which cost the world more than $4 trillion annually.
Energy transition and the Dubai Summit
The UAE announced last January the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, “Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology,” as President of the Twenty-Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP), but the irony here is that Al Jaber also holds the position of CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the largest oil producer in the country and ranked twelfth in the world, which has raised widespread controversy and many questions among activists. Climate.
But some might argue that this step was the missing link in past climate summits; The presence of a person who understands the current energy requirements that are met by fossil fuels and the future visions that work to get rid of them - perhaps will represent the tip of the scale that can bring the world together on a historic agreement to phase out fossil fuels, and perhaps the coming days will prove the validity of this theory or not.
The statements of Sultan Al Jaber - along with other Emirati officials - during the past months revealed a new, bolder strategy than before in dealing with the issue of climate change and reducing fossil fuels. This strategy works to absorb fossil fuel companies around the world, and deal with them as a major player who has all the cards in his hand.
The idea here is that, just as these companies are primarily responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, they will - perhaps - be the best ones to propose practical and logical solutions that limit fossil fuels in a viable manner, and balance environmental interests with economic and development interests. This is thanks to its extensive experience and great technical knowledge.
Perhaps, for many, this strategy represents a gamble whose results cannot be predicted, but what if this strategy succeeds? What if we could reconcile the fossil fuel camp and the climate camp in the form of a global agreement that guarantees the achievement of measurable goals, to obtain clear results within a specific time frame?
This summit comes in light of a positive global movement thanks to what was achieved by the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit -COP27- last November. After reaching a historic agreement regarding the Loss and Damage Fund, all eyes are turning to the Dubai Summit -COP28- in order to reach another historic agreement. To reduce the use of fossil fuels.
The biggest problem here - which is felt by everyone who has any knowledge of climate and political work - is “credibility”. Even if we assume that the parties at the Dubai Summit agree on an agreement to phase out fossil fuels, who will guarantee its implementation? This is in comparison to what the rich countries pledged at the Copenhagen Summit - COP15 - to provide $100 billion to developing countries. To finance climate action by 2020, a pledge that has not been fulfilled to date!
Conclusion of the special file
As is our custom in discussing and presenting the most important topics, we have tried in the special file in this issue to shed light on one of the basic issues of sustainable development, namely “energy transformation”, and this with an objective view that recognizes the environmental and non-environmental dimensions.
We can never doubt that energy transformation is a reliable weapon in our war against climate change, but the problems that exist in all types of renewable and clean energy make energy transformation an insufficient solution. Therefore - in order for us to develop these types of clean energy to overcome their disadvantages - energy transformation must be part of the solution and not the entire solution, at least for the time being.
Fossil fuels are not the only ones to blame here. Just as they are a major cause of the global warming we are suffering from, they were also - and still are - a major driver of the world’s growth over two centuries. Therefore, plans to get rid of it must comprehensively recognize the positive impact of fossil fuels before the negative, in order to ensure a smooth energy transition that achieves climate and development goals at the same time.
On the other hand, fossil fuel support groups - whether companies or governments - must realize that this type of fuel is not renewable. In other words, the day will come when all its reserves will be exhausted. Therefore, searching for renewable options and relying on them gradually will ensure sustainable development for centuries to come.
All parties around the world must be aware that the future of renewable and clean energy, and working now to develop these sustainable technologies will have a major impact in determining the map of the great powers in the future, as whoever possesses the most advanced renewable energy technology will - without a doubt - have a broader global impact, especially with the growing negative effects of climate change.
Achieving the energy transition requires cooperation at an international level, cooperation that recognizes the deeper effects - which are effects that cross temporal and spatial boundaries - of the use of fossil fuels. Therefore, he works sincerely to gradually reduce its use.
Another thing that we must not overlook is that the energy transition itself carries a number of negative impacts that must be taken into account. This is to assess the environmental impact resulting from this transition accurately and objectively, and reduce these negative impacts as much as possible.
To summarize all of the above, we say: Climate change is a reality, and dependence on fossil fuels is a major reason for this fact, and if we do not act immediately and urgently, the future of the world will remain threatened and in doubt.
In conclusion, it should be noted that fossil fuels are protected by companies and governments that work with all their might. In order to remain dependent on this industry alone; Therefore, we must all - at various levels - work to protect our climate and ecosystems.. It is time for this earth to have someone to protect it.. It is time for us to become Earth Guards!
To view the English version:https://earthsguards.com/6hms
