Technology and World Change (Session 8)

Technology and World Change

Session 8

Brief Overview

“Shifting from our current unsustainable fossil fuel-based energy intensive economy to an environmentally sound and sustainable clean and green approach”, this was the direction for our discussion today. In this day and age, we are highly dependent on fossil fuels to power our energy needs. However, because of our dependence on this source, we have created many problems along the way, most evidently we refer to environmental degradation. With the advent of technology, it is imperative that we replace this with other forms of renewable sources of energy to protect the earth. Some example include solar energy, biomass energy, hydroelectric energy, wind energy etc. The transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to one that is clean and green is one of the most exciting revolutions set to take place throughout the next few decades.

Interesting Observations and Ideas

One video the Prof showed us today was about Germany’s Solar Experiment.  More broadly, it was about the Energiewende Program, which aims to eliminate the use of nuclear energy and fossil fuels and turn to using wind and solar energy to meet their energy needs. Following Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster on Mach 11, 2011, the German government decided to abolish nuclear power altogether. Even though the nuclear power still accounts for 16% of the German electricity in 2012, this share will continue to fall. In addition, coal takes up 44.7% of its electricity generation. Whereas, the renewables have ramped up and increased tremendously and now accounts for 21.9% of total electricity. Germany has dotted the German countryside with more than 20,000 wind turbines and donned the roofs on households with solar panels. Germany has chosen to use these renewable energy sources to power their country, that is clean and without giving off any pollutants. Furthermore, this means their reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy is only set to decrease. One interesting thing to note is that Germany is not a country that is particularly windy or sunny but has chosen to do it anyway. A puzzling thought – Singapore, receives so much more sunlight (because we lie right on the equator) as compared to Germany, so why is it that we haven’t used solar panels as much as Germany has? Well, from what we know, the Housing Board is in the midst of working on its largest single solar-leasing project where households would be able to buy electricity made from the sun’s energy. In August, it called for the largest solar-leasing tender, to own and operate panels on 125 blocks in Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang, Serangoon North and Buangkok. This is sufficient to produce 5MW of electricity, enough to power 1000 four-room HDB flats. Although this is just the pioneering project, I think more can be done. The government could give out incentives or subsidies to encourage more consumers to install solar panels in their homes. They could look to Germany to model after what they have done with their renewable energy.

Key Takeaways

Another takeaway was about understanding the need for sustainable energy given that there are major environmental degradation that arose from current methods of extracting fossil fuels for energy. The West have from the very beginning chosen to use fossil fuels as a main source of energy, but now that both China and India are increasing in population and advancing, we cannot expect and definitely cannot allow the 2 countries to follow the same trajectory or we will be setting ourselves up for doom. China is already facing worsening pollution issues because of the use of fossil fuels, surely they will consider twice about aggravating the problem by using even more fossil fuels. This then calls for new technologies and approaches to reduce or prevent further pollution. They could look to other countries such as Brazil’s Proalcool gasohol programme as a point of referene.  

One takeaway from this lesson was being able to understand the Energy and World Change. For example, talking about “energy security” was about knowing that there is in order for people to sustain their modern lifestyles, they require extra energy in the form of fossil fuels. This is as with most of the world, however there are other countries that utilize other forms of renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric energy, wind energy, biomass energy, solar energy etc. Energy is so important that it may even be a source of national income in some developing countries such as Nigeria where almost most of its economy is dependent on harnessing energy. But, they have also realized that fossil fuels cannot last forever and will run out one day, so they are desperately trying to escape the “oil trap” and diversify its economy so that they will be able to keep sustaining their economy in the long run.

Also, in class, Rebekah talked about cost as being another driver of world change. Fossil fuels are kept artificially cheaper because the opportunity cost and their externalities are usually not taken into account. But if they were, then renewable sources of energy could be even cheaper than fossil fuels. It is also important to note that by using renewable energy, we could also make use of these fossil fuels for more important purposes instead of burning it for energy.

Issues for Further Discussion (Readings)

In Reading 6, the report showcased the “10 Recommendations for a 100% Renewable Energy Future”. One recommendation given was “Invest in renewable, clean energy and self-efficient products and buildings”. I think it could be linked to Germany’s renewable energy model. Germany has incentivized the process of placing solar panel on every roof, setting up wind farms in vast land space, and even growing plants on flat-surfaced buildings. All this help to achieve a clean energy because it does not result in pollutants being released into the atmosphere. Also, recommendation 7 to “provide incentives to encourage greater use of public transport, and to reduce the distances people and goods travel.” One example in Singapore is that the country aims to add an additional 77 new trains to create greater efficiency so that there is shorter waiting times between trains and makes it less crowded as there will less commuters per train.

One issue for discussion is that, Singapore has put in place many measures such as setting up the ERP systems all around the country. But is it working? Has this created a disincentive such that less people are driving through these specific areas? The increase in COE prices, have they also been a solution? What are some of the problems that have resulted because of the government’s efforts to slow traffic in Singapore?

Personal Ratings

I would give this lesson an 8/10 because this lesson was interesting, comprehensive and insightful. It’s is really worth thinking about what we are capable of as the responsibility of earth lies on us.