6. Need To Invest In Alternatives To Fossil Fuels
Nuclear power is one alternative to fossil fuels that many nations are considering, given their efficient and environmental
:
Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 200 Special Report Renewable Energy Sources (SRREN) — Summary for Policy Makers , IPCC, May 2011, p. 6
Note, without the direct equivalent accounting method used above, nuclear power, for example accounts for 12 to 13% total world electricity supply but the IPCC explains the use of “direct equivalent” to also include their heating value so it is primary energy not just electricity. The IPCC noted that renewable energy contributed approximately 19% of global electricity supply. (p.5)
The vast majority of renewables is biomass, meaning burning wood, using animal dung etc but also includes commercial production of bioenergy. The IPCC noted that some 60% of biomass is used in cooking and heating applications in developing countries though there is rapid increase in using modern biomass. Compared to global primary energy, however, direct solar energy (0.1%), wind power (0.2%) and somewhat questionable hydropower (2.3%) are minuscule but use differs significantly in different parts of the world.
As the above IPCC report also notes, the costs of renewable energies are declining all the time and will continue to decline as more and more is deployed. At present, the cost can be higher than other sources of energy which puts some people off the idea that they could be a viable, large scale alternative to nuclear power.
However, fossil fuels are increasing in price while the cost of renewables continue to decline and become more and more competitive, so as the IPCC also urges, it makes economic sense to give it a political push too to help provide a significant boost as there is huge potential although there are still many challenges ahead.
Those favoring a strict neoliberal economic ideology will argue that the state should not interfere in markets, yet history shows that the market has hardly ever functioned without the state, and indeed the state has often been the major reason a market has even appeared. For democratic countries, governments subsidizing renewable and alternatives could reflect the desires of many of that nation’s constituents. If fossil fuel companies fear competition, they should (and many are) become more active in this area, but not stifle important and urgent debate and research.
6. Need To Invest In Alternatives To Fossil Fuels
Nuclear power is one alternative to fossil fuels that many nations are considering, given their efficient and environmental
:
Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 200 Special Report Renewable Energy Sources (SRREN) — Summary for Policy Makers , IPCC, May 2011, p. 6
Note, without the direct equivalent accounting method used above, nuclear power, for example accounts for 12 to 13% total world electricity supply but the IPCC explains the use of “direct equivalent” to also include their heating value so it is primary energy not just electricity. The IPCC noted that renewable energy contributed approximately 19% of global electricity supply. (p.5)
The vast majority of renewables is biomass, meaning burning wood, using animal dung etc but also includes commercial production of bioenergy. The IPCC noted that some 60% of biomass is used in cooking and heating applications in developing countries though there is rapid increase in using modern biomass. Compared to global primary energy, however, direct solar energy (0.1%), wind power (0.2%) and somewhat questionable hydropower (2.3%) are minuscule but use differs significantly in different parts of the world.
As the above IPCC report also notes, the costs of renewable energies are declining all the time and will continue to decline as more and more is deployed. At present, the cost can be higher than other sources of energy which puts some people off the idea that they could be a viable, large scale alternative to nuclear power.
However, fossil fuels are increasing in price while the cost of renewables continue to decline and become more and more competitive, so as the IPCC also urges, it makes economic sense to give it a political push too to help provide a significant boost as there is huge potential although there are still many challenges ahead.
Those favoring a strict neoliberal economic ideology will argue that the state should not interfere in markets, yet history shows that the market has hardly ever functioned without the state, and indeed the state has often been the major reason a market has even appeared. For democratic countries, governments subsidizing renewable and alternatives could reflect the desires of many of that nation’s constituents. If fossil fuel companies fear competition, they should (and many are) become more active in this area, but not stifle important and urgent debate and research.
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