Nowadays many people argue about the energy transition to renewable energy sources. Therefore, a question arises whether all states need to shift from fossil-based systems of energy consumption – including oil, natural gas and coal – to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. As for me, I partially agree with this point of view. I understand most of the threats that the use of natural energy leads to, but I’m not sure that all countries are able to fulfill this shift at the current moment. So, in this essay I will discuss some reasons why I think so.
On the one hand, a modern resource-efficient energy system will enable the whole planet to overcome climate change and environmental degradation. It goes without saying that most of the greenhouse gases released in the atmosphere come from the production, transportation and use of natural resources. As a result of this and other human activities, the planet’s average surface temperature is increasing and has already risen by 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century, the ice sheets are shrinking, snow cover is decreasing, extreme events are increasing in frequency. Thus, the global ecosystem and humanity are at the existential threat. The most effective way to address climate challenges is to find a more eco-friendly approach to the use of fossil fuels. Some countries have made significant steps to climate-neutrality. For example, the European Union has adopted the European Green Deal to make its policies fit to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. This measure seems to be achievable at least because the EU is going to spend one third of its budget on this project.
On the other hand, developing economies often cannot reduce the consumption of natural resources quickly as it is almost the only affordable source of energy for them. For example, countries of Youth Africa really depend on the coal consumption. Modern green economy implies deep reconstruction of domestic economic systems, new infrastructure and huge investments. However, these countries, even in comparison with the EU, do not have an opportunity to spend a part of the budget on energy transition because they have not got stable economy and must address internal socio-economic problems. Even if the international community makes Africa fulfill climate obligations and imposes sanctions, it will not simplify the situation. Therefore, the duty to reduce fossil fuels consumption may lead to another one burden for these states.
To sum up, I am sure that all nations must strive to decline the use of natural resources and reach climate neutrality step by step. In case of implementing immediate and ill-considered measures in the international arena this initiative will be hard to realize, as well as leading to additional side affect problems.