Increasing emissions in the Asia‐Pacific region
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Economic development is intimately connected with the consumption of energy from fossil fuels – see Table I predicting the growth of energy production for the next 20 years on the basis of present trends. Behind the increase in energy demand is the spectacular industrialization in the Asia‐Pacific region. Thus, there will be a clear shift in the regional consumption of energy.
The two economic growth giants, China and India, will soon surpass the USA in energy consumption. How, then, is the global increase in energy demand, necessary for reducing alleviating poverty and accommodating population growth, to be met? Table II shows the mix of various energy sources today as well as the projections for the future.
Given the stylized predictions about the burning of fossil fuels for the next 15 years, whether realistic or not, it is small wonder that predicted CO2 equivalent emissions will also rise sharply, adding to the climate change forces. Table III shows that greenhouse gas emissions are projected to increase especially in the non‐OECD world, i.e. mainly the Asia‐Pacific region where economic development and energy need is strongest.
Only a decisive turn towards a green economy can make these dismal predictions in Tables II and III about the energy‐environment conundrum come false.