Many countries, including large nations like the USA, in the status quo rely largely on energy from nonrenewable sources. For example, coal, petroleum, and natural gas from fossil fuels. These fossil fuels generate about 85% of the world’s energy. This brings about two issues. Firstly, nonrenewable energy is finite and will run out if our consumption of this energy is more than the amount of nonrenewable energy that can be replenished naturally by the Earth. Research shows that at the rate at which we are consuming energy, oil will run out in 53 years, natural gas in 54 years, and coal in 110 years if we do not do anything about the current situation. This is dangerous because these statistics only prove that the consequences of our negligence to the environment can cause large damage to mankind within the span of a lifetime. Furthermore, If work is not done to improve the development and accessibility to renewable energy, within 100 years, mankind would seemingly perish seeing how we are becoming increasingly reliant on such energy to operate and go on with our daily lives.
The shortage of energy would mean that any modern development and technological advancement would have to be halted, throwing mankind back into the past where energy had not been found and used. Secondly, nonrenewable energy which we heavily rely on is proven to result in extensive harm to our Earth’s environment as it is a contributor to global warming. Many of these fossil fuels, when used, produce carbon dioxide which pollutes the environment. For example, in 2014, 78% of the USA’s global warming emissions of carbon dioxide were energy-related. If the global warming situation worsens, the world will become a dangerous place to live in as the climate changes drastically. For example, the wildfires in California which have displaced many families, to the extreme droughts in Somalia which have starved many.
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These problems all prompt us to take action by slowly easing our world into one that can be sustained by renewable energy, such as the use of solar power, wind power, and hydropower, which do not pollute the environment or cause any health-related problems to humans.
Individual country’s stance on the issue. Currently, Fiji is very supportive of the idea of using renewable energy and wishes to partner with countries that will help increase its renewable energy capacity. She would also like to increase accessibility to such energy sources to poorer and more rural parts of Fiji as nearly 20% of people living in rural areas of Fiji, as well as 4% of people living in Urban areas. Furthermore, she is in full support of the global effort to address climate change. This support can be seen in Fiji organizing the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2017 to discuss environmental issues. Fiji is a country in the South Pacific made of about 300 islands and has a population of about 912,241 people. Fiji heavily relies on fossil fuels that are imported from other countries since it does not have any natural fossil fuel resources or any nuclear power stations. For example, in 2008, about 80% of Fiji’s import spending was on fossil fuel imports, highlighting the extent to which Fiji invests in imported energy which impacts Fiji’s energy security adversely. Furthermore, Fiji faces many challenges as a nation in the energy sector. This is because there is a lack of coordination and management between public energy institutions across the islands of Fiji. Furthermore, there is a lack of encouragement for private energy sectors as there is no clear framework and information that is disclosed to the public. Hence, Fiji aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, having renewable resources of energy such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. However, this can only be achieved with stricter National Energy policies and the bringing in of foreign energy sectors that can help set up and sustain renewable energy in Fiji. Fiji has also been working on policies to bring off-grid generation to rural areas, such as solar-powered water supply for schools and clinics.
Problems of the issue, as well as recommendations for solutions. The main problem is that renewable forms of energy are still relatively new and are hence still expensive for incumbent state power companies to invest in. Additionally, the power purchase agreement of Fiji is not conducive for investors to invest in renewable projects. This is because firstly, it does not have enough incentives to attract investors and secondly, it does not outline a plan that they can stay committed to so investors do not want to put their trust in investing in Fiji. Certain ways to improve the public-private energy sector partnership to increase the growth of renewable energy in Fiji. This ensures that all relevant agencies facilitate and support renewable energy investments through legislation and regulation to ensure the feasibility and financial viability of renewable energy. With the government’s support, private investors will be more comfortable with putting their money into the project. Secondly, risk mitigation facilities have to be set up since renewable energy is a new technology and is still high risk in its usage and benefit. Fiji is still a developing nation that is exposed to natural disasters. Thus, risks can be mitigated with the implementation of insurance where foreign investors will feel more secure when putting their money into developing renewable energy in Fiji. Thirdly, a credible feed-in-tariff system for independent power producers need to be put in place by the government of Fiji. In the status quo, there is no feed-in-tariff system in Fiji. Fourthly, to reduce future maintenance costs and future projects, locally-owned businesses are encouraged to invest in renewable energy, maintenance, and equipment replacement. Education focusing on the development and maintenance of renewable energy provided for locals will also provide a good platform for locals to help sustain the future of renewable energy.
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