The sustainable energy – what can we do?

The sustainable energy – what can we do?

UNESCO, Dubrovnik, October 2013

Dinka Lale

AbstractIntroduction WEO 2012

◦Predictions untill 2035Climate changes

◦Temperature rise limitThe energy

◦What can we do? Reneweable energy sources Solar systems

Sustainable energyEnergy that meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Technologies that promote sustainable energy include renewable energy sources:◦ hydroelectricity◦ solar energy◦ wind energy◦ wave power◦ geothermal energy◦ tidal power

Technologies designed to improve energy efficiency.

WEO 2012Foundations of global energy system shifting

◦ Resurgence in oil and gas production in some countries ◦ Retreat from nuclear in some others ◦ Signs of increasing policy focus on energy efficiency

All-time high oil prices acting as brake on global economy ◦ Divergence in natural gas prices affecting Europe (with prices 5-

times US levels) and Asia (8-times) Symptoms of an unsustainable energy system persist

◦ Fossil fuel subsidies up almost 30% to $523 billion in 2011, led by MENA

◦ CO2 emissions at record high, while renewables industry under strain

◦ Despite new international efforts, 1.3 billion people still lack electricity

Share of global energy demand

Global energy demand rises by over one-third in the period to 2035, underpinned by rising living standards in China, India & the Middle East

Change in power generation, 2010-2035

The need for electricity in emerging economies drives a 70% increase in worldwide demand, with reneweables accounting for half of new global capacity

Global renewable energy subsidies

Renewable subsidies were $88 billion in 2011; over half the $4.8 trillion required to 2035 has been committed to existing projects or is needed to meet 2020 targets

Climate changesHuman society and its activity have an

impact on the environment.That is a fact it will have to face.Some of the most significant influences

on the environment are industry and energetics .

The main problem is the fact that humanity experienced nothing similar in the past.

It is faced with an entirely new process.

Climate changesEconomic growth and social progress

depend on the progress of industry and the use of electric energy.

The question is how to find a balance - enable progress, satisfy the world’s growing needs for energy, and at the same time alleviate the impact on the environment, so as to secure the long-term quality of our only habitat - the planet Earth.

Millions of tears that every second dissapear into the sea as a result of globalwarming.

This caused sea levels to rise 7 - 17 cm in the 20th century!

The surface area of glaciers worldwide is decreasing, just asis the case with the Antarctic icesheets (an annual decrease of2.7 %, since 1978).

Climate ChangesA question of reduction of Green

House Gases (GHG) emission and of slowing and stopping disastrous climate changes is a general public concern.

For governments and institutions taking decision on the long term energy strategies this is a matter of great responsibility.

Urgency to stop further increase of greenhouse gases emissions and reverse the trends.

Climate ChangesAs stated in the Four IPCC Report

and in Copenhagen discussions, limits the realistic choice of energy technologies to those available now or in the near future of few decades.

2 ºC temperature rise limitAdopted in the Copenhagen

Accord at the UN Framework Conference on Climate Change in December 2009 and by the European Community.

Comparison of observed continental and global scale changes in surface temperature

IPCC

The energyThe world needs more and more energy.Constant population growth brings with it

constantly bigger energy needs, and humanity is in constant search of energy sources that would adequately satisfy its energy needs.

There are times when demand for energy is temporarily lower (global financial crises and global recessions), but such events are temporary and when they come to an end, the hunger for energy grows bigger and bigger again.

The energyIf the world decides to drastically

reduce carbon dioxide emissions and sign a new climate agreement/protocol this will not mean that fossil fuels will no longer be used.

It will only mean that a greater significance will be attached to renewable energy sources, and that there will be attempts to gradually displace fossil fuels.

This will be an extremely long process.

World regions with major oil reserves and projected but undiscovered oil resources. Source: Energy Information Administration

Distribution of proved natural gas reserved (%)Source: Statistical Review of World Energy

Global share of recoverablecoal reserves (%)Source: International Energy Statistics

Cumulative world uranium productionSource: IAEA

World uraniumproductionby countrySource: World Nuclear Association

What can we do?It is necessary to encourage thinking in the

direction of preserving the environment, preserving Nature that is around us, and that needs to be protected, restored, so that it could be available to generations to come.

If we want to raise environmental awareness, awareness about the protection of the environment, we need to start acting from an early age, from the school system (systematic education of the community).

What can we do?The coming generations will then

direct their research to the sustainable development that we talk about today.

Regarding our region, southern Croatia, there can be no doubt.

The most adequate and best made use of alternative energy production systems are solar energy systems.

EUNamely, the European Union is the world

leader in the domain of the development and use of renewable energy sources.

Its goal is to retain the leading position in this field and achieve the planned 20% share in the production of renewable energy by 2020.

By their example and support, governments play a key role in reaching that objective, but every individual can also contribute to the achievement of that important goal.

ConclusionIn the long term, the need for energy

is constantly growing.Education, from the earliest school age

to the introduction of concepts such as «sustainable energy» and the concept of «sustainable» in general, into laws and everyday life, can greatly influence people’s actions.

Everyone can, in their own way, help achieve the aim of sustainable energy.

Thank You for Your attention!