Session 8: The Sun, The Trees, The Oil

I guess no one wanted this class to start. It meant the end of the mid term break. And the "enthusiasm" could be seen in the class. However, this week's topic was interesting, and before we knew it, the class was underway in full force. Again, this was like my Environmental Education classes in high school, except, this was a topic I actually liked. As the population of the world increases, it calls for more development. As there is more development, there is more need for energy resources. As such, the important factor that we forget is that the energy resources of the world are finite. Therefore, there is a need to move towards sustainability, newer renewable energy resources. Newer technologies are being developed to conserve energy and utilize renewable sources. 

An important point we discussed in class is that all the energy resources can be classified into two: above the ground and below the ground. All the sources above the ground are directly or indirectly affected by the sun. Some examples include, wind, water, biomass, waves etc. In short, the sun is the main source. Fossil fuels are the most prevalent energy sources across the world today. However, they are limited. This means that we need to look at other more viable options to satisfy our energy needs. This is when we need to look at renewable sources. A study showed that the renewable sources are so abundant across the world that if we utilize them efficiently then the world can become a more sustainable place. The sun alone provides SO much energy to the earth that it can independently fulfill the energy requirement of the entire planet. 

Today, the entire world is investing in future technologies. Now the race is not about who consumes more energy, but about who consumes more efficiently and sustainably. China is moving towards becoming a world power. Even in terms of investment for the future, China has overtaken the U.S. Their growth in investment is over a 100% today which is mind boggling. With the development of new technologies, wonders like the electric cars are being invented. These can be recharged and run completely on electricity. We can see the change happening. We can see the world moving in the positive direction.

Even if 10 people use energy efficiently and one person wastes energy resources, it is harmful. We gradually need to move towards making the entire world a sustainable place. So how do we further spread awareness about such issues? Some of the ways could be by starting education campaigns, provide incentives, tax exemptions, compulsory standards etc. The presentations made by my friends in class were seriously very interesting. Be it using banana peels as biofuels or electric cars of China. The most interesting observation I found was that energy efficiency could have a reverse effect. It could lead to increase in energy consumption as well. As such, we need to realize that we are treading on delicate grounds. There has to be a correct balance in what we do and how we do it or else it could have adverse impacts on the world and it's people.

Overall, my rating of the class: 9/10 :)