Effective steps
If humans including other living creatures have to survive on earth the steps mentioned below have to be adopted and followed for existence. Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass, Hydropower, Geothermal energy, Tidal energy, Wave energy, and Bio-fuels are few steps necessary and required for human existence to take environment to net zero carbon emission.
Hazardous emission by industries must be fortnight checked and discontinue if found against eco-friendly goals of environment protection. Polluter pay principle and absolute liability must be strictly enforced as without a clean environment no possibility of life on earth. As held by the Apex court of India right to a clean environment is inherent in Article 21 as right to live with human dignity.
Farmers must use organic manure along with use of animals like ox as used commonly during times immemorial. Those countries who ignore their population growth per day later regret explosion as no one comes to rescue during their time of much anticipated high demand and less supply and country burdened with loans to pay with high rate of interest.
Solar Energy
International Solar Alliance a global intergovernmental organization is a joint effort of India and France to implement solar energy solutions. This way they are showcasing their commitment to achieve sustainable goals as set out as 2030 agenda. It was conceptualized on the events of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) held 2015 in Paris, France.
After amendment in 2020 in its Framework agreement all United Nations members are eligible to join the alliance. At present, 100+ countries are signatories and 90+ countries have ratified and became full members to it. Its main aim is to encourage investments in solar energy amounts to US Dollar 1 trillion by 2030 while reducing technology and financing costs. Armenia became the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2023. Paris agreement signed by 196 countries set out their goal of achieving net zero carbon emission by 2050.
The adoption and use of renewable energy sources vary from developing and developed economies. Unfortunate to notice that developed countries use and are more dependent on non-renewable energy resources than renewable resources. To enhance practicability in adoption in Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass, Hydropower, Geothermal energy, Tidal energy, Wave energy, and Biofuels various efforts have been initiated.
In solar energy PM Surya Ghar—Free Electricity Scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Developments of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, IREDA Loan Scheme, allowing Foreign Direct Investment up to 100% and launch of Green Term Ahead Market to provide market to sale renewable energy power. Country’s solar potential has been assessed by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) to be about 748 GW covering around 3% of the total waste land area by the Solar PV modules.
Wind energy
Wind energy proved to be also a contributing field in renewable sector with China, USA, Brazil, Germany and Sweden appeared to be world’s top five markets with new installations in 2022. Among countries Denmark comes up to generate 56% of its overall electricity Muppandal Wind Farm India first in world with capacity of 1,500 MW and Alta Wind Energy Center California with capacity of 1500 MW is world’s second largest wind farm in world.
Biomass
Biomass energy that comes from plant and animal products such as wood, agricultural waste and organic wastes are used to produce electricity and make bio-fuel and liquid transportation fuels. Biomass sources for energy include wood and wood processing waste, agricultural crops and waste materials, biogenic materials in municipal solid waste and animal manure and human sewage. Methods used to convert biomass to useful energy includes pyrolysis heating organic materials between 800* F—900* F, hydrotreating and gasification heating organic material between 1,400* F—1,700* F. India accounts for 32% of country’s primary energy use while USA 5% in consumption.
Hydropower
One of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy which uses kinetic energy to generate electricity accounting for 40% of global energy use among other renewable energy sources. In India being the 7th largest producer hydropower growth accounts for 12.2% of its total power total installed capacity of 46.51 GW.
Geothermal energy
This mode of energy extracted from the Earth’s crust. It emits no greenhouse gases with life cycle 4 times less than solar PV and 6 to 20 times less than natural gases as it uses less water over other conventional electricity generation techniques. In global market of energy the Asia-Pacific region accounts to 37.14% being the largest in geothermal energy market. India accounts to 7.1% of total renewable energy supply.
Tidal energy
Electricity is generated using kinetic energy of tides and oceans. Three main aspects to tidal power include tidal stream generators, barrages and lagoons. This is very reliable source of power generation being regular and predictable and most suitable for electricity generation. Along with other environment issues for economic production of tidal energy tidal range of at least 10 feet is required. In 2020 it accounted for 7.5% of world’s total hydropower capacity. India has potential of 12.455 MW of tidal energy with highest in Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat.
Wave energy
This mode of renewable energy produces electricity by harnessing motion of ocean waves and lakes. Electricity is produced by floating turbines though it can be generated by making changes in air pressure. The market size in 2024 valued to US Dollar 19.52 Billon and is expected in 2031 to reach US Dollar 26.15 Billion.
Bio-fuel
Bio fuel is made by processing plants, algae or other organic wastes. The most commonly used bio fuel is ethanol and bio diesel. JATROPHA proved to be an excellent bio-fuel feedstock that can be grown by farmers on marginal agricultural. USA and Brazil are world’s largest ethanol producers while Europe largest consumer of bio fuel. In 2022, global energy demand of this amounts to 3.5% of total renewable energy resources.
Conclusion
Only after situating to renewable resources in day to day life humans can protect and preserve environment and can attain the goal of net zero carbon emission. Sustainable goals as set out by the United Nations members must be strictly adhered to cope up with the ecological dis-balance resulting in adverse climate change.
By: Sanjeev Chouhan
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